Chicago, October 4, 2022
Photo: wp.com
On Saturday, October 1, the feast of the Holy Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Orthodox Church in America formally enthroned the twelfth hierarch of its Diocese of Chicago and the Midwest.
After His Eminence Archbishop Paul reposed in the Lord in April, His Grace Bishop Daniel, formerly of Santa Rosa, vicar of the Diocese of the West, was elected by the Holy Synod of the OCA to the vacant Chicago See in July.
The three-day enthronement celebration began on September 30 with the All-Night Vigil for the feast of the Protection celebrated by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of Washington and All America and Canada at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago. The OCA primate was joined by Bp. Daniel, His Grace Bishop Andrei of Cleveland, and local and visiting clergy, including Protodeacon Alexander Kichakov of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the Diocese of Chicago reports.
Several more hierarchs joined the celebration at the Liturgy the next day: His Grace Bishop Longin of New Gračanica and Midwest America of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and the OCA’s Archbishop Nathaniel of the Romanian Episcopate, Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, and Archbishop Alexander of the South and the Bulgarian Diocese.
Photo: wp.com
Archpriest John Parker, dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, and Archpriest Chad Hatfield, dean of St. Vladimir’s Seminary, were also present, representing their schools.
Met. Tikhon offered the homily:
At the end of the Liturgy, His Beatitude gave the enthronement exhortation to Bp. Daniel, who then ascended the cathedra in the middle of the cathedral and blessed all those gathered in the church. He also offered a reflection on his enthronement and his commitment to serving Christ and the Church:
“I accept this call as God’s will and design for my life,” His Grace said, “but I also want to acknowledge that this is not for me alone. God’s marvelous and merciful plan also includes each one of you, the dedicated clergy and faithful of this God-protected diocese.”
The Liturgy was followed by a banquet in downtown Chicago.
The Resurrection Vigil was celebrated at the cathedral that evening, and the next morning, Met. Tikhon and the newly-enthroned Bp. Daniel celebrated the Sunday Divine Liturgy together.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a festive meal was held in the parish hall.
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