DIOCESE OF CHICAGO AND MID-AMERICA: 30 June 2026
News from the Mid-American Diocese under Bishop Spyridon

On Sunday, June 21, 2026, the third Sunday after Pentecost, at the invitation of His Grace Bishop Spyridon of Chicago and the Mid-American Diocese, almost all Orthodox hierarchs of Chicago gathered at the hierarch’s residence, having first celebrated the Divine Liturgy in their own parishes. Bishop Spyridon invited the hierarchs to introduce himself, and several hierarchs gathered to welcome their fellow bishop to his new see.

The meeting was attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Longin (Serbian Orthodox Church), His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolai (Romanian Orthodox Church), His Eminence Archbishop Daniel (Orthodox Church in America), and His Grace Bishop Dionysius (Greek Archdiocese in the USA).

The meeting took place in a spirit of brotherly love, mutual understanding, and cooperation. Specific programs and plans were discussed regarding how Orthodox believers in Chicago can work together and cooperate for the glory of God and for the good of people, as well as how the attending hierarchs can support each other's ministries.

After the meeting, everyone expressed a desire to meet again soon to continue their joint work in the Lord’s vineyard.

On Saturday, June 20, many clergy and singers from across the Mid-American Diocese gathered at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Chicago to meet and welcome their new ruling bishop.

His Grace was greeted at the cathedral doors by more than thirty priests and a dozen deacons. Upon entering the cathedral, Bishop Spyridon was welcomed with bread and salt by the church elder, Yuri Yusupov, who officially greeted him in his new post on behalf of all the faithful in the diocese.

At the end of the service, Archpriest Andre Papkov welcomed His Grace on behalf of the cathedral clergy, while Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Secretary of the Diocesan Administration, greeted him on behalf of the clergy of the diocese. Then the cathedral sisterhood offered the gathered clergy, singers, and their families a festive Lenten meal. After the meal and a prayer of thanksgiving, each of the gathered clergy had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the new ruling bishop.

Then Bishop Spyridon met with several clergy members who had special requests and questions that needed urgent attention. The vast majority of the clergy returned to their parishes that same day to prepare for serving the Sunday Divine Liturgy the next day.

Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America