Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral
Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia
Des Plaines, IL USA
BISHOP PETER’S NAMESDAY
Jan 23/ Feb 5 - The Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee
Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia


On Sunday, Feburary 5th, the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, and the commemoration of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Bishop Peter celebrated the day of his heavenly intercessor, St. Peter of Krutitsa. The Divine Liturgy was con-celebrated with Vladika Longin, Bishop of Midwest America and New Gracanica of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Vladika John, Bishop of Caracas and South American (ROCOR). Also present were a great multitude of local clergy and deacons from several surrounding churches.

During the Little Entrance, Vladika Peter awarded Priest Tarasiy Maksimtsev (attached to the cathedral) the right to wear a skufia. Later in the service there were two ordinations. The first took place following the Great Entrance in which Hierodeacon Timothy (Tadros) of Michigan City was ordained to the rank of priest. Fr. Timothy will serve at St. George Orthodox Church in Michigan City where he was born and raised. Of note, he has lovingly helped to maintain the church over many years. Glory be to God, there will now be regular services in this nearly 100-year old church again! Axios!

The second ordination took place after the chanting of “It is Truly Meet” in which Subdeacon Leonty Naidzions, who for many years has been full-time reader of the Cathedral, was ordained by Vladika John to the rank of deacon. Axios!

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Vladika Peter was congratulated by the diocesan clergy in a letter read by the Dean of the Cathedral, Fr. Andre Papkov:


Your Grace Bishop Peter!

On behalf of the Diocesan Council and the entire presbytery of our diocese I would like to heartily congratulate you on your name's day! May the Lord grant you many years, much health, and much wisdom in ruling the diocese of Chicago and Mid-America!

On this day, in accordance with pious tradition, the clergymen of the diocese would like to present Your Grace with a small gift as a token of our appreciation for your care and love for us as your spiritual children. Since it has come to our attention that Your Grace is in need of a black Great Lenten Hierarchal Mantia it will be our pleasure to procure this for you. Rather than having one sewn ahead of time and risk it not fitting properly, since you will be visiting Russia shortly, we thought it better to simply have it made there so that you could carry it home with you and begin using it this Great Lent.

We ask your prayers for us before the altar of the Lord and assure you of our filial love and devotion in Christ!

Archpriest Gregory Joyce
Secretary of the Diocesan Council


In turn, Vladika expressed his thanks to all who had come together at the Divine Liturgy including His Grace, Bishop Longin and His Grace, Bishop John as well as Fr. Avraamy whom many remember from the time he spent in Chicago some eight years ago. Vladika also congratulated the newly ordained Fr. Timothy and Deacon Leonty and wished them God’s help in the service to His Church. Many years was sung to Bishop Peter. Following the Liturgy, the sisterhood served a hearty meal.Vladika again expressed his thanks to all the guests, but especially to the Sisterhood who tirelessly works for the good of the church community. He also thanked the choir which on this day was joined by quite a number of singers from the Serbian church and which resounded with great joy especially with the singing of the stikhera to All Russian Saints at the end of the Liturgy. Vladika Longin was also thanked for his continued support and love towards the Russian Church. Vladika Peter then introduced an honored guest, the Serbian Consul General, Mr. Desko Nikitovic who took the opportunity to congratulate Bishop Peter on his namesday and to thank him for his support toward the Serbian Church. He commented that although this was his first visit to the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral, he felt completely at home and admitted that this stood to reason seeing that his wife was half Russian and half Serbian.

The afternoon featured a performance by the Serbian singers of a folk song as well as the famous song to St. Sava by request of Vladika Peter who noted that the Russians should take example from the Serbs in remembering St. Vladimir in the way that they commemorate St. Sava as the enlightener of the Serbian land in song.

Glory be to God for such a triumphal day!

Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia - 02/05/2012

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Services
Tuesday, 20 November / 3 December
18:30 Vigil
Wednesday, 21 November / 4 December
ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS
9:00 Liturgy
18:30 Akafist
Friday, 23 November / 6 December
18:30 Vespers and Matins
Saturday, 24 November / 7 December
Great-martyr Catherine
8:00 Liturgy
18:00 All-night Vigil
Sunday, 25 November / 8 December
24th Sunday after Pentecost
Apodosis of the Entry
9:00 Divine Liturgy

  

Cathedral Donations

Sisterhood Fund

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