The myrrh-streaming Iveron icon of the Mother of God from Hawaii will visit the cathedral on Monday, Sep 16  at 6 PM.  Vespers & Matins will be served that evening at 6:30 PM in the presence of the icon as well as Divine Liturgy on Tuesday morning at 8 AM.  The icon will be in the cathedral during the day for veneration.  Before the departure of the icon, an akafist will be sung on Tuesday, Sep 17 at 6:30 PM.

Vigil service Wednesday at 6:30 PM
Divine Liturgy on Thursday at 9 AM

Vigil on Saturday at 6 PM
Divine Liturgy with procession and festal luncheon at 9 AM

First Sunday after Pascha
Vigil service on Saturday at 6 PM
Divine Liturgy on Sunday at 9 AM

Matins and Divine Liturgy every day this week beginning at 8 AM

Paschal vespers at 6:30 PM

Nocturne at 11:30 PM
Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy at midnight

The burial in the tomb
Matins with lauds and procession with the Cross on Friday at 6:30 PM

Vesperal Divine Liturgy with 15 Old Testament Readings on Saturday at 9 AM

The Holy and Saving Passions of our Lord Jesus Christ
Matins with the reading of the 12 Passion Gospels on Thursday at 6:30 PM

Royal Hours at 8 AM on Friday morning

Bringing out of the Burial Shroud
Vespers with the Procession of the Shroud at 1 PM on Friday afternoon
(It is customary to fast until one has venerated the shroud)
Little Compline with reading of the canon "On the Crucifixion of our Lord and the Lament of the Virgin Mary"

Rememberance of the Mystical Supper - the institution of the Holy Eucharist - the washing of the feet by the Lord of His disciples as a sign of his great humility - the prayer in the garden of Gethsemane - the betrayal of Judas

• Matins on Wednesday at 6:30 PM
• Hours and vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great on Thursday at 9 AM
• The Order of the Washing of the Feet following the liturgy

• On Holy Saturday (May 4) following the Divine Liturgy (approximately 1:00 p.m.)
• On the Paschal eve (May 4) at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.
• Following the Paschal service (May 5) at approximately 3 AM
• After Paschal Vespers (approximately 1:30 p.m.) on Sunday, May 5

Great Monday - On this day, we are reminded of the Old Testament Joseph, sold by his brothers into slavery as the pre-figurement of Christ who suffers for our sake, and of the Gospel parable about the unfruitful fig tree symbolizing the soul of one who does not bring forth spiritual fruits - true penitence, faith, prayer and good works.

 Great Tuesday - We remember Christ rebuking the hipocrisy of the Pharisees and Scribes and the parable preached in the temple of Jerusalem concerning what is owed to Cesar, about the resurrection of the dead, of the Dread Judgement and of the 10 wise virgins.

 Great Wednesday - On this day, Christians recall with great contrition the betrayal of Judas for 30 pieces of silver.  We likewise hear of the sinful woman who sold all she owned for myrrh with which to annoint the feet of Christ, preparing Him for His burial.

Schedule of services on these days:

Hours and vespers at 8 AM
"Bridegroom" Matins at 6:30 PM

The last Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts will be served on Wednesday morning with Vespers

Matins with akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos on Friday at 6:30 PM
Divine Liturgy on Saturday at 8 AM

This year the feast of the Annunciation falls on the Sunday of the Cross

The third Sunday of Great Lent is the Sunday of the Cross since at the end of the vigil service the cross is brought out to the center of the church for veneration throughout the following week.  As St. John Damascene writes: "as a traveler, fatigued from a long journey rests under the leaves of a wide tree, so also Orthodox Christians, making the journey to the Heavenly Jerusalem, the Pascha of our Lord, find in the middle of the path the Wood of the Cross from which to gather the strength for the remainder of the way."

Vigil service on Saturday at 6 PM with bringing out of the Cross
Divine Liturgy on Sunday at 7 and 9 AM

The Rite of Holy Unction will be served on Monday, April 1 at 6:30 PM.  In this service, we pray for the healing of soul and body and are annointed with Holy Myrrh.  

Eve of the Nativity
Vespers & Matins on Thursday at 6:30 PM
Royal Hours on Friday at 7 AM
Divine Liturgy and Vespers on Friday at 9 AM

Nativity of Christ
Vigil service on Friday at 6:30 PM
Divine Liturgy on Saturday at 9 AM

Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos
Vigil  on Saturday at 6:30 PM
Divine Liturgy on Sunday at 8 AM

Vigil service on Saturday at 6 PM
Divine Liturgy on Sunday at 9 AM

Following Liturgy, all are invited to a festal luncheon hosted by the Brotherhood in the Church hall

Vigil on Wed evening at 6.30 PM
Divine Liturgy on Thurs at 9 AM with blessing of fruit

Memorial Saturday
Divine Liturgy with General Panikhida on Saturday at 8 AM

DAY OF THE HOLY TRINITY
Vigil service at 6 PM on Saturday
Divine Liturgy & Vespers with kneeling prayers on Sunday at 9 AM
Matins at 6 PM

DAY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Divine Liturgy at 8 AM

The conclusion of the Paschal period comes with the Leave-taking services on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning followed by the feast of the Ascension of our Lord.  The leave-taking services (vespers/matins and Divine Liturgy) will be celebrated in the paschal style.

Paschal vespers and mattins on Tuesday at 6:30 PM
Paschal Divine Liturgy on Wed at 8 AM

Feast of the Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem

Vigil on Saturday at 6 PM
Divine Liturgies on Sunday at 7 and 9 AM

Matins on Friday at 6:30 PM
Divine Liturgy on Saturday at 8 AM

Matins with reading of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete in its entirety on Wednesday at 6:30 PM

Dear Brothers & Sisters!

This Saturday, April 17, after Liturgy we will be holding a Church clean-up. We need to wash the windows, clean the iconostasis, etc. We also will wash, clean and polish the candleholders. We have to take them apart first and bring them to the kitchen. It will require some help from our Brotherhood.

The Kursk-Root wonder-working icon of the Mother of God continues to visit our diocese during Great Lent.  The icon will return to the cathedral on the following dates:

April 16 - Matins for the Laudations of the Theotokos
April 17 - Divine Liturgy for the Laudation of the Theotokos
April 23 - Matins for Lazarus Saturday
April 24 - Divine Liturgy for Lazarus Saturday
April 24 - Vigil for the Entry Into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)
April 25 - Divine Liturgy for the Entry Into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

The first Sunday of Great Lent is called the "Triumph of Orthodoxy" because it commemorates the victory over the heresy of iconoclasm.  In cathedrals, a special rite called the "Rite of Orthodoxy" is served reminidng all of the dogmas of the Church.

Vigil service on Saturday at 6:00 PM
Early Liturgy of St. Basil the Great begins at 6:45 AM
Late Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at 9 AM
Rite of Orthodoxy following the Liturgy

Compline with the reading of the canon of St. Andrew of Crete every evening from Monday through Thursday at 6:30 PM

Matins, lenten hours (with Gospel readings) and vespers are chanted every morning beginning at 7 AM

Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts on Wednesday and Friday after Vespers (approx 9:30 AM)

St. Theodore of Tyre
Reading of compline and tri-canon with akafist at 6:30 PM on Friday
Matins, Prayers before Communion and Divine Liturgy on Saturday starting at 7 AM

We remind you to reset your clocks early Sunday morning by moving the arrow one hour AHEAD!

The end of maslenitsa coincides with the beginning of Great Lent and to help us redirect our attention to the main theme of Lent - repentence - the Church has instituted the custom of asking forgiveness of one another on the eve of Clean Monday.  Immediately following the second Divine Liturgy on Sunday, forgiveness vespers will be served.

The annual parish meeting will take place this year following the late Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 28.  If you have not yet registered or paid parish dues for this year, please do so between now and then in order to participate with full voting privileges.

God willing, a series of lectures on Liturgics will be offered by Archbishop Peter during Great Lent on Saturdays (beginning March 20) following the Divine Liturgy and Panikhida service (starting approximately ~ 11 AM).  Come join us to dive into the riches and meaning of our liturgical traditions.  Please note, the lectures will be conducted mainly in Russian.

On the second preparatory Sunday before the beginning of Great Lent, we are reminded by the reading of the parable concerning the prodigal son, how far we find ourselves from God and of how ready God is to meet us if we only turn from sin and ask his help.  At the vigil service, we hear the hymn "By the waters of Babylon" which reminds us of the time of exile of the Israelites.

Beginning with the Sunday on which is read the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican, the Church gradually begins to direct our thoughts to the upcoming Great Fast.  The first words of the Lenten Triodion (the book of hymns which is used during Great Lent) begin:

"Brethren, let us not pray as the pharisee: for he who exalts himself shall be humbled. Let us humble ourselves before God, and with fasting cry aloud as the Publican: God be merciful to us, sinners."

The Church also introduces the main theme of Great Lent at the vigil service with the singing of the hymn "Open unto me, O Giver of Life, the gates of Repentence."

Vigil service on Sunday at 6 PM
Divine Liturgy on Monday at 9 AM
Followed by blessing of the candles

Eve of Theophany
Vespers & Matins on Sunday at 6 PM
Vespers and Divine Liturgy on Monday at 9 AM
Great Blessing of the Waters at approx 11 AM

THEOPHANY
Vigil on Monday at 6:30 PM
Divine Liturgy on Tuesday at 9 AM
Great Blessing of the Waters at the end of Liturgy

Brothers & Sisters,

Due to predicted inclement weather overnight, there will be only one Divine Liturgy served at 9 AM this Sunday Jan 31.

Vigil service Thursday at 6:30 PM
Divine Liturgy on Friday at 9 AM

The Nativity Fast, which lasts 40 days, beginning on November 28th, was established that we cleanse ourselves through repentance, prayer and fasting, that with a purified heart, soul and body we meet the newly born Son of God bringing unto him not gift of gold and frankincense but the desire to follow his teachings.

Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos

Vigil service on Turesday at 6:30 PM
Blessing of the Water on Wednesday at 7:30 AM
Divine Liturgy on Wednesday at 9 AM

Vigil service with the Order of the Elevation of the Cross on Thursday at 6:30 PM

Liturgy at 9 AM on Friday

Vigil service on Friday at 6:30 PM
Divine Liturgy on Saturday at 9 AM

Summer Day Camp at the cathedral is open !

June 8 - August 14

Call to register

Through God's mercy, the governor's quarantine order has been partially lifted and the Church now has the opportunity to gradually return to public services.  Having been deprived of the opportunity to pray together, we can now renew and strengthen our private prayer and contemplate the value of the Divine Services.

Notwithstanding the ability to return to the temple, we cannot forget that the threat to the lives and health of people still exists.  Accordingly, we must observe the following rules:

1. Maximal occupancy of the Cathedral is now set at 50-55 people and to be able to attend services, we ask that you sign up in advance on our website...

Due to the quarantine currently in place, access to the cathedral is limited to clergy and workers.  With the blessing of Archbishop Peter and by decision of the parish council, Paschal basket blessings will take place on Saturday April 18th and Sunday April 19th between 1:00 and 3:00 PM by drive-through (without leaving your cars).  We count on your cooperation to allow this to happen in an orderly fashion.  We greet you on the upcoming feast of the Pascha of our Lord!

Many of us make purchases through Amazon, especially at this time.  Amazon has a program for not-for-profit organizations where Amazon donates a certain percentage of the value of the purchases to the organization of your choice.  Our Cathedral participates in this program. Please register for this program, and when you shop through smile.amazon.com, a percentage of the value of your purchases will be automatically donated to our Cathedral.  Just keep in mind, if you don't go through the website smile.amazon.com, your purchases do not count towards the donation.

This link will take you to their registration page:  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7398528

Dear parishioners,

Due to the Government's order to limit number of people at public gatherings, God willing, we will have following Liturgies at our Cathedral this week:

Wednesday, March 18, 6:30 pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Friday, March 20, around 9:30 am - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Saturday, March 21, 8:00 am - Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. 
Sunday, March 22, 7:30 am - early Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.
Sunday, March 22, 9:30 am - late Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. 

We ask our faithful to divide service attendance among themselves.        
                                           
                                               REMINDER

The seriousness and risk of this outbreak should not be underestimated. 

Anyone over the age of 70 who suffers from chronic health conditions, or who shows symptoms of a respiratory infections, or was exposed to an infected person, should stay home.

Arrangements can be made for clergy to provide confession and communion to the infirm at home. 

Parishioners should refrain from handshakes, hugs and keep some distance during the service. 

The faithful should not feel that they must kiss public icons. At the same time, we should keep in mind that all icons are miraculous, and that many martyrs died in the struggle with iconoclasm. 

The faithful are not obligated to kiss a priest's hand or a cross when receiving a blessing.

Due to unexpected circumstances the annual parish council meeting will be moved from March 15th to April 26th.  This allows for more time to register as parish members to have the right to vote at the meeting.

Parish Membership

All Orthodox Christians of both sexes, regardless of their nationality, who have reached the age of 21 years, who financially support the parish, who make their confession and take Holy Communion not less than once a year, and who tend to the moral and economic welfare of the parish may become parish members.  Being a member of the Parish, in good standing, allows you to vote at annual Parish meetings and to serve on the Parish Council.  As a tax-exempt organization, our status depends on maintaining and proving membership in the organization.  Membership involves only nominal annual dues.  Membership forms are available at the candle stand.  You need only meet the above requirements and complete a form to declare your membership in the parish.   If you are not Orthodox, but are interested in becoming an Orthodox Christian, please speak to one of the priests.

From Theophany to the beginning of Great Lent, it is possible to have your homes blessed with the water that was sanctified on the feast of Theophany.  Please sign up at the candle stand or talk with one of the clergy in advance.

Coming this weekend!

Tell all your friends!

On Monday evening at 8 PM, a moleben for the civil new year will be served at the Cathedral.  Come pray with us that God grant us a peace and spiritual blessings in 2020!

Saturday, January 11th at 11 AM
Theatrical production, entertainment with Father Frost and Snow Maiden, gifts for the children
Tickets $15

Sunday, January 12th at 12 PM
Traditional Russian lunch
Theatrical production, entertainment with Father Frost and Snow Maiden and gifts for the children
Tickets $40 for adults and $20 for children

For tickets contact Alexandra at 773-490-0414

From Nov 11-13 the floors in the church will be refinished.  We ask all to kindly lend a hand in moving all of the candlestands and benches from the church to the ambo at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy this coming Sunday.  Thank you in advance!

October 12th, Church cleaning after the Divine Liturgy
October 13th, cleaning of Church after the Divine Liturgy, changing of vestments, hall set up. 

Please consider donating paper towels and vinyl work gloves.

Work in the kitchen is scheduled for:
October 12th, 12 pm to 6 pm
October 13th, 12 pm to 6 pm
October 14th, from 8 am food preparation, serving, cleaning up after lunch

Diocesan Pastoral Conference
October 15th, from 6 am to 8 pm (breakfast, lunch and dinner) food preparation, serving and clean up for each meal

For further information contact Olga Vlasova at (224) 520-1596 or Luba Brueggemann at (224) 520-1604.

ORPR announces its annual St. Tatiana's Day Ball the 24th of January 2020

For tickets, please see:
https://www.tatianaballchicago.com/

Slavic Fall Festival set for Sunday Sep 22 from 12 to 8 PM
Tell all of your friends!

The Sisterhood is requesting your assistance during our yearly kitchen clean up, scheduled for Saturday August 10th, starting at 8 am.

For further information contact our Head Sister Olga Vlasova at (224)520-1596 or Luba Brueggemann at (224)520-1604.

Vigil on Thursday at 6:30 PM
Divine Liturgy at 8 AM on Friday

Dear Brothers and Sisters!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped with preparations for Pascha! During Great Lent we spent every Saturday cleaning and getting ready for the feast, baking a record number of kulichi - 1350, as well as over 3500 prosphora. Thank you to all those who donated items required for cleaning! We will continue to work for the glory of God!  May the Lord guard and keep you! 

Sisterhood.
 

On the day of ASCENSION OF OUR LORD, June 6th 2019 - it will be 40 days since Archbishop Alypy reposed. 

A panihida will be served at 7pm at the Cathedral.

Everyone is invited for the prayer, followed by a potluck. Please bring a favorite dessert/drink to share. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B48ACAB2AABF94-archbishop/13619472

Feast of Myrrh-bearing Women & Mother's Day

Lunch in cathedral hall with entertainment

Following Divine Liturgy

The Sisterhood will begin kulich (Paschal bread) sales on Sunday, April 21, at the entrance to the cathedral. Kulichi can be purchased during services (see service schedule for details)

Friday April 19th, beginning 10am:
     - Decorating kulichi, packaging, and sorting in boxes by size

Saturday April 20th, beginning 11am:
     - Palm Sunday lunch preparation
     - Preparation of palms/willows (in foyer of the hall) and kulichi (in church entrance) for sale
     - Cathedral clean up

Palm Sunday April 21st, beginning 9am:
     - Sale of Paschal bread (in church entry) and blessed willows (in hall foyer)
     - Preparation of hall after lunch for upcoming basket blessings

Men - please help set up tables and chairs in the hall after lunch!

April 27th (Holy Saturday, approximately 2pm) - cleaning of the cathedral, preparation of Pascha meal
April 28th (Pascha) - cleaning of the cathedral (approximately 5am, and after Agape Vespers, at approximately 2pm)

A liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts will be served Wednesday, March 27th  at 6:30 in the evening.  This unique liturgy which is combined with vespers will be served in the evening only once in the course of Great Lent in order to allow more people to attend.  Those who wish to commune should try to fast all day, if not physically possible then they should consult with their spiritual father in advance.

The time has come to cut willow branches. If you are able to help, please come on  March 23rd. Work will begin after the Divine Liturgy.

On March 3rd, following the Divine Liturgy, the Sisterhood invites you to a Blini luncheon to celebrate Shrovetide!

In preparation... assistance will be required in the kitchen: 
February 21st from 6-9 pm – preparation of meat filling
February 22nd from 3-8 pm – preparation of blinchiki with meat filling
March 2nd from 4-8 pm  – preparation of blini and toppings
March 3rd from 8 am – preparation of blini, serving and cleaning after the Divine Liturgy

As many of you already know, Vladika Alypy suffered a recent stroke.  Only speech was affected.  While his condition has improved quite a bit, his speech still is difficult.  He has already been discharged home from the hospital.  We thank you for your continued prayers.

Please join our Sisterhood in cleaning and decorating the cathedral on Saturday, January 5th, after the Divine Liturgy, in preparation for the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. 
Contact our Head Sister Olga Vlasova at (224) 520-1596 or Luba Brueggemann at (224)520-1604 with any questions or concerns.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 24th at 9 AM there will be a Divine Liturgy.  Following the Liturgy, there will be a traditional meal in the parish hall to which all are invited.

This year's annual St Herman's Youth Conference is being held in Chicago from Dec 26-30.

Youth 14 years and up are invited to participate

You may register online:  Registration: https://goo.gl/forms/ v8uaHhP9M6BMYyHJ2

PROTECTION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

Saturday, October 13
Vigil at 6:00 PM

Sunday, October 14
Blessing of the water at 7:30 AM
Divine Liturgy, Moleben and Procession with the Cross at 9 AM

Following the Liturgy all are invited to a festal meal in the parish hall

Thanks be to God, on Saturday  September 8, the new academic year of the St Jonah parish school began, but this year in the newly completed building.  This has been a long-standing dream of the parish.  Finally the students are able to study the Law of God, Russian language and literature in appropriate conditions to the glory of God!

September 30

from 12 to 8 pm

Russian food, drinks, entertainment

Dear Parishioners!  With the blessing of Archbishop Peter, we are forming a parish LABOR EXCHANGE - a type of database for those searching for employment and services. If you are looking for a job, a nanny, a housework assistant, selling a car, etc., or are looking to hire employees for your company, please contact Nadezhka Ivanovna Evmenenko  at  n.evmenenko@gmail.com

Should you find work or a worker through our Labor Exchange program, we kindly ask you to remember the cathedral through a donation to the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral, earmarked “Labor Exchange.”

On the 19th of August, the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, a bake sale benefiting the Orthodox boarding school for girls in Bethany was held.  With your help, more than $800 was collected.  The proceeds will be given to the school via a Russian Orthodox philanthropic organization based in San Francisco.  Thank you for your generous support!

Due to increased ant activity this year, we ask that food not be left in any areas of the cathedral. This includes the entry to the church/vestibule, at the commemoration table, as well as all other areas in church. Please take home all food brought for commemoration services.

We kindly ask you to stay after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 24th, and help with a quick cleaning of the kitchen and Church. We promise we will not keep you for long! 

The Sisterhood encourages all parishioners to participate in decorating and cleaning of the Church after the Divine Liturgy and Memorial service on Saturday,May 26th, in anticipation of Pentecost.

• clean up and decoration of the Cathedral
  prepare flowers for handout
  Sunday lunch preparation

Announcing a pilgrimage to the Holy Land this spring led by Archbishop Peter.

For details, please see the diocesan website: http://chicagodiocese.org/news_180411_1.html

Friday March 30th, beginning 10:00 a.m.:
Decorating kulichi, packaging, and sorting in boxes

Saturday March 31st, beginning 11.00 a.m.:
Palm Sunday lunch preparation
Preparation of palms/willows and kulichi for sale
Church clean up

Palm Sunday:
Preparation of hall after lunch for upcoming basket blessings. Men – please help set up tables and chairs after lunch!

The diocesean ORPR summer camp announces opening of registration fot he upcoming 2018 summer camp season.  More information including registration forms, can be found on the camp website:  www.orprcamp.org

The annual parish meeting will take place on the 4th of March after the Divine Liturgy and is open to all members of the parish. Anyone who is a regular parishioner and who partakes of the Sacrament of Confession and Communion at least once a year and who has regard for the moral and financial well-being of the parish can become a member of the parish and have the right to vote at annual parish meetings.

Annual membership fees are very low. Since our cathedral is a tax-free organization, its status depends on the number of members in the parish.  Provided that you meet the above requirements, in order to become a member, you simply need to complete an application available at the candlestand.  If you have not yet been baptized, but want to enter the Russian Orthodox Church, you can personally speak with one of the clerics

The parish school of St. Jonah cordially invites you to the St Tatiana's Ball on Friday January 26th at 8 PM

Theme: Movie Stars

For tickets and additional information, please contact Marina Orzhynska at 312-342-4840

On Sunday, November 19, the “Vastness of Sadness” Concert took place after the celebration of Divine Liturgy, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the tragic October revolution...

On the patronal feast day of the cathedral, His Eminence Archbishop Peter tonsured Rostislav Gan to the rank of Reader.  We congratulate Reader Rostislav and wish him God's help in his service to the church.  Axios!

God willing, we will serve the Liturgy of St. James, brother of our Lord on the day on which he is commemorated (Sunday, November 5th).  Because this more ancient liturgy differs significantly from that of the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom to which we are well accustomed, Fr. Leonty will be holding a discussion group to explain the origins and differences in these services.  The first discussion will be following the akathist on Wednesday October 11 (at ~ 7.30 pm) and he will repeat this discussion on Sunday October 29 following the Liturgy.

Soul Saturday (Commemoration of Departed)

• Vespers and Memorial Matins on Friday at 6.30 PM
• Divine Liturgy and Universal Panikhida on Saturday at 8 AM

PENTECOST - Day of the Holy Trinity

• Vigil service on Saturday at 6 PM
• Divine Liturgy and Vespers with Kneeling Prayers on Sunday at 9 AM

The 8th annual Russian Winterfest took place on Meatfare Sunday, February 19th with blini, meat filled blinchiki, soups, tasting of homemade flavored vodkas as well as song and dance.  More than 500 people visited the festival this year bringing in a total net income of $7,749.76 !  We thank everyone who worked so hard to put this together and make it a success!

On Sunday February 19th, on the occasion of his 15th year of priesthood, Fr. Valery was elevated to the rank of protopresbyter by Archbishop Peter.  We wish him spiritual strength in his service to the church for the glory of God.  Axios!

FEB 19th 12- 5 PM

COME ENJOY!

Bring your friends

Bliny, vodka tasting, entertainment

The date for 2017 Russian Winterfest (maslenitsa) is set for Feb 19, 2017.  Any vendors interested in applying for booths at this year's festival are invited to email Gordana at FaithNetOrth@aol.com

This year's Russian Winterfest is scheduled for Sunday February 19th on Meatfare Sunday.  Preparations are underway to make this the biggest and most successful festival so far. Volunteers in many capacities are needed.  If you would like to help, please contact Marina Orzhynska (312-342-4840) or Andrei Urtiew (925-698-4703).

On Saturday October 29th the Cathedral was given an icon of the Mother of God (Znamenie) as a gift from Bishop Mstislav of Tikvin.

Glory be to God, the repair work on the parish school and diocesan center building has now been completed!

Oct 16-29, Archbishop Peter was in the Ukraine by invitation of Metropolitan Phillip of Poltava.

We congratulate all of the parishioners on the patronal feast day of the Protection of the Mother of God.

Update on the Holy Virgin Cathedral construction site as of Friday, August 26:

 

About 90% of the stud support anchors and bottom support plates in both north and south walls have been installed.

 

All #7 wall reinforcing bars have been placed in their respective cavities but not yet grouted.

 

 

Update on  the Holy Virgin Cathedral construction site as of Tuesday, September 6:

 

All #7 wall reinforcing bars have now been fully grouted.

 

All metal studs along the North and South walls and the South half of the West wall have been installed, but not yet welded to the wall anchors and not yet screwed to the steel track at the truss bottom chord level.

 

Along the South half of the west wall, the stud connecting angles along the bottom of the wall and the lowest level of wall anchors have been installed.  The rest of the work along this wall segments still requires finishing.

With the blessing of His Grace Archbishop Peter, the Cathedral hosted the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Summer School of Liturgical Music (SSLM) over Labor Day weekend which included weekend Divine services as well as a concert of 20th century Russian sacred music.

In honor of the Summer School’s Silver Anniversary a jubilee festival choir made up of alumni and friends from all over the US will sing a concert featuring 20th century masterpieces of Russian sacred music.

A CONCERT OF 20TH CENTURY LITURGICAL MUSIC

presented by the Festival Choir of the Summer School of Liturgical Music at Holy Trinity Seminary

On Sunday September 4, 2016 at 5 PM

Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral -

5701 N. Redwood Drive Chicago IL 60631

At the Divine Liturgy commemorating the 50th anniversary of the blessed repose of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco on Saturday, July 2nd, His Grace Bishop Peter was commemorated for the first time as Archbishop and given the title of “Chicago & Mid-America”. It was decided earlier in the week, at a meeting of the Synod of Bishops, that due to health reasons, Archbishop Alypy would be granted retirement.

On the first Sunday of Great Lent following Divine Liturgy, a special service called the Rite of Orthodoxy is served in cathedrals to remind us of all of the dogmas of the Holy Church

We congratulate our parishioner Alexander Melnichyk and our chanter Slavica Lazarevska on their wedding which took place at the Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco at the beginning of February.  We wish them health and happiness and many years!

Monday February 15th on the feast of the Meeting of Our Lord following the Divine Liturgy, a winner was selected for the raffle benefitting the building fund of the School and Diocesan Center....

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/des-plaines/community/chi-ugc-article-russian-winter-festival-is-coming-to-chicago-2016-02-15-story.html

You might have noticed that in the month of January it has been rather cold in the cathedral.  It turns out that the heating system completely broke down and had to be replaced.

With 144 students this year, the parish yolka was divided into two peformances on Saturday and Sunday, January 9th and 10th. 

On the feast of Nativity following Divine Liturgy, a group of young people brought cheer to elderly parishioners by visiting and singing carols...

On Saturday, Jan 2nd the administrative heads of the diocesan Pastoral School assembled at the cathedral to celebrate the day of its heavenly intercessor, the well-known and loved Russian pastor, St. John of Kronstadt.

On Sunday, Dec 27th a molieben was served for a group of youth and parents who will be traveling to the St Herman's Youth Conference in Dallas, Texas.  We wish them a safe journey and spiritual benefit.

On Sunday, December 6th, the cathedral choir participated in a Pan-Orthodox concert

With the blessing of Bishop Peter, all parishioners are asked to try to read the following prayer for the completion of the school building each day at 7 PM, regardless of where you might be

Watch the recent news report regarding the crash of a Russian airliner, parts of which were filmed in our cathedral...

A lottery to benefit the building fund has just been announced.  The prize - a trip to the Holy Land.

On October 7, 2015 Vladika Alypywas taken to the hospital for suddenly developing problems with low blood pressure where it was found that he had suffered a pulmonary embolism (clot in the lungs). He was initially in the intensive care unit for 2 days and has now been transferred to a regular room.  His condition at present appears to be stable.

The Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral is pleased to unveil its newly redesigned website!

Today the United States Supreme Court ruled that homosexual marriage is a constitutional right in the United States of America. Given the ubiquitous coverage the news media is providing on this issue it is important that our clergymen and parishioners fully understand the position of the Church in this regard...

Dear Parishioners and Supplicators of the Holy Protection Cathedral!
We greet you on the great and joyous feast of the Resurrection of Christ!

CHRIST IS RISEN!

With these words do we greet each other, expressing our joy that Our Savior, having suffered and died on the cross –has risen.  Death is vanquished, the power of the devil is crushed and the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven are opened for mankind... 

Tomorrow, brothers and sisters, we enter into the Passion Week. The Passion of Christ, a Divine Passion, brought to mankind life and restoration of the human nature to its previous unblemished state. Our human passions, on the opposite, lead us to death and degradation...

In conjunction with coronavirus situation, all public activities including Saturday schoo, daycare and Sunday lunches have been cancelled.

Time, it’s our best teacher, but sadly, it kills the student.
 
Don’t be surprised, that’s the essence of it. During our hardships and trials in life, we often hear words of advice from people close to us, or from the wiser portion of our friends and acquaintances. We probably hear comforting things like, “relax, time heals all wounds, time is a wise and efficient healer,” or “time will put everything back in its place, time is fair,” or “only time can make you smarter, time is a thoughtful teacher.”

At first this seems right, but what if you look closer? Let’s first consider the essence of time as a healer, does time really heal? No, it is only an intermediate in the hands of a true physician, our Lord, God. When a person turns to God in prayer, after some time God heals, but when people let things be, relying only on time itself, without turning to God, time simply drives the pain into the depths of subconsciousness. Like when a helpless doctor who can no longer save the patient sticks him with a dose of morphine, just so that the unfortunate patient will not suffer any more pain.

Now, what if we look at time as a teacher? Let's consider this. Every teacher has their advantages and disadvantages, but there’s something that all teachers have in common, and that is that all teachers have Honor students and losers. However, time as a teacher, only has Honor students, as it kills the losers. Yes, as an effective teacher, time presents impressive lessons, but if a person does not accept them and immediately correct his or her errors in repentance, instead leaving things as they are and relying on the time, the errors do not go into oblivion but slowly corrupt the person’s life on earth preparing him for a terrible fate in the Hereafter.

Thus time becomes a murderer, unless God in His mercy will wait for our repentance to the very end. But can we count on that without doing anything ourselves? No, we should, with the help of God, carefully learn the lessons that this effective teacher presents us with, or else the teacher will destroy us.