On Saturday, June 20, 2026 a multitude of clergymen and choir singers from throughout the Mid-American Diocese gathered at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, IL to welcome their new ruling hierarch, Bishop Spyridon.

His Grace was met at the cathedral doors by more than three dozen priests and a dozen deacons. At his entrance into the cathedral Bishop Spyridon was met with bread and salt by the cathedral Starosta, Yuri Iousopov, welcoming him officially to his new see in the name of the all faithful of the entire diocese.

Bishop Spyridon was vested in the midst of the temple by the cathedral Subdeacons Nicholas Hantel (Diocesan Legal Counsel) and Andrei Urtiew (Diocesan Treasurer), and at the reading of the 6th Hour Reader Samuel Irizarry from the Sts. Joachim and Anna parish in San Antonio, Texas was ordained a Subdeacon.

The Deacons were led by Protodeacon Alexander Kichakov, Senior Deacon of the diocese, and Archimandrite John (Magramm), the most senior priest of the diocese by ordination date. Reader Michael Gill conducted the choir, made up of singers from the cathedral and throughout the diocese.

Following the consecration of the Holy Gifts, Subdeacon Samuel was ordained a Deacon for service at the Sts. Joachim and Anna parish.

After the dismissal and the singing of many years for Bishop Spyridon and the newly-ordained, Archpriest Andre Papkov welcomed His Grace in the name of the cathedral clergymen, and Archpriest Gregory Joyce (Secretary of the Diocesan Council) welcomed him in the name of the clergymen of the diocese. Then the cathedral sisterhood offered a festive fasting meal for the gathered clergymen, singers, and their families.

After the meal and the thanksgiving prayer, each of the gathered clergymen had the opportunity to introduce himself to the new ruling hierarch. Then Bishop Spyridon met with several of the clergymen who had special petitions and concerns that needed to be urgently addressed. The vast majority of the clergymen returned later that day to their parishes to prepare for the Sunday Divine Liturgy on the morrow.

photo credits: Natasha Joyce and Liubov Kichakov