With the blessing of Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada, Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America, the Divine Services for the Patronal Feast of the Holy Virgin Protection Diocesan Cathedral were led by Bishop Seraphim of Kostajnica, Vicar of the Diocese of Gracanica & Midwestern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Vigil on the eve of the feast was marked by a prayerful, peaceful, yet festive atmosphere. The hierarchal choir sang beautifully under the direction of Reader Michael Gill. Clergymen gathered from throughout the northern part of the diocese. Many faithful confessed their sins in preparation for Holy Communion on the day of the feast itself.

The morning of the Second Pascha of the Diocesan Cathedral brought beautiful autumn weather: blue skies and sunshine interspersed with large bright white clouds. Bishop Seraphim was triumphantly met by a host of clergymen led by Archimandrite John (Magramm), the longest-serving priest of the Mid-American Diocese. At the Hours, with the blessing of Archbishop Gabriel, Benjamin Weigold of the St. Olga Mission in Sioux Falls, South Dakota was tonsured a Reader. And Reader John Peskey, of the same mission, was ordained a Subdeacon. Later in the Divine Liturgy, the same Subdeacon John was ordained a Deacon for service at the St. Olga Mission. The newly-ordained Deacon John is a student in the Pastoral School of the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America. Many of the faithful partook of Holy Communion on this day from three chalices. In addition to the serving clergy, Archpriest Andre Papkov, retired Dean of the Cathedral, prayed in the altar and partook of the Holy Gifts.

Following the Divine Liturgy a Cross Procession was held on this virtually perfect fall day that the Lord arranged for the great feast of the Protection of the Theotokos. At the conclusion of the procession, the Secretary of the Diocese, Archpriest Gregory Joyce, on behalf of Archbishop Gabriel, presented Bishop Seraphim a hierarchal cross and panagia set that had belonged to the ever-memorable Archbishop Peter. Fr. Gregory noted in his address that one year ago Archbishop Peter had not led the Patronal Feast at the Cathedral, but had been in Belgrade, where he participated in Bishop Seraphim’s consecration to the episcopacy on October 13, 2024. Shortly after having returned from Belgrade Archbishop Peter departed this life for his eternal reward, and thus, Bishop Seraphim’s consecration was the last episcopal ordination in which Archbishop Peter participated. Fr. Gregory thanked Bishop Seraphim for his prayerful leadership this day, and asked him to convey the cathedral family’s gratitude to Metropolitan Longin (ruling bishop of the Serbian Diocese of Gracanica & Midwestern America) for blessing Bishop Seraphim to preside. In his reply Bishop Seraphim expressed his thanks for the gift, and his hope that the brotherly Christian communion between the Serbian and Russian Churches will continue to be ever strengthened.

After the veneration of the Cross by the gathered faithful while listening attentively to the thanksgiving prayers following Holy Communion, the cathedral sisterhood hosted all at a festive meal in the cathedral hall.

Photo Credit: Olga Karic