Fr. Demetrios Kounavis was born in Chicago.  His home parish was St. Demetrios Church of Chicago, where he attended all the available youth programs and Greek school.  Before graduating high school, Fr. Demetri began studies in Byzantine church music, which heightened his desire to enter the Holy Priesthood.  In 2001, Fr. Demetri began his studies at Hellenic College, where he later earned a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies.  In 2006 he graduated Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology with a Master's of Divinity.  The summer of that same year, he married Katerina Stavrou of Palos Hills, Illinois.  On October 26, 2006, Fr. Demetri was ordained to the Diaconate and assigned to St. John the Baptist Church in Des Plaines, Illinois.  He then was ordained a Priest by Metropolitan Iakovos on January 7, 2007.  Their son, Nikolaos (Niko), was born in June of 2007.  While at St. John's, Fr. Demetri's responsibilities included Church services, Sacraments, youth programs, pastoral visits, and involvement in all ministries from young to young at heart.  He takes these experiences from this vibrant community to his new assignment of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Rockford.  Fr. Demetri looks forward to meeting all the members of the parish and working together with them for mutual spiritual growth to the glory of God.