Des Plaines, Illinois, November 14, 2025
Photo: chicagodiocese.org
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia held memorial services November 7-8, marking one year since the repose of His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America. The services took place at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, Illinois.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, the ROCOR First Hierarch, presided over the commemorations. On the eve of the feast of St Demetrius, he prayed in the altar and anointed clergy and faithful following the polyeleos service, ROCOR reports.
The Divine Liturgy on the feast day drew 50 priests and deacons from across the Mid-American Diocese. Most of the participating clergy had been ordained by Abp. Peter himself. The church was filled beyond capacity with faithful from throughout the diocese. Three chalices were used to distribute Holy Communion.
Their Eminences Metropolitan Longin of New Gračanica-Midwestern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Mid-West of the Orthodox Church in America joined Met. Nicholas for the Liturgy.
Photo: chicagodiocese.org
A panikhida for Abp. Peter followed the Liturgy’s dismissal.
After the services, Met. Nicholas thanked the visiting hierarchs for their participation and their support of the cathedral and diocese following Abp. Peter’s repose last year. He expressed confidence that Abp. Peter would have been pleased with the gathering.
A memorial meal in the cathedral hall filled every available seat. Nun Maria from St. Lazarus Girls School in the Holy Land read a letter of condolence from Archimandrite Roman, head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in the Holy Land—a position Abp. Peter had previously held. Mother Maria spoke about the situation facing Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land and the challenges her school currently faces.
A panikhida was also held at the Archbishop’s grave in Jordanville. The permanent gravestone is expected to be blessed between Pascha and Pentecost 2026.
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