Chicago Hierarchs Gather to Welcome Bp. Spyridon

CHICAGO — On Sunday, June 21, 2026, nearly all Orthodox hierarchs serving in the Chicagoland area gathered at Bp. Spyridon’s residence following Divine Liturgy in their respective parishes earlier that morning. The meeting was arranged so the new bishop could be formally introduced to the local episcopate and to allow the hierarchs to welcome him to his new see.

The Sunday gathering included Metr. Longin (Serbian), Metr. Nicolae (Romanian), Abp. Daniel (Orthodox Church in America), Bp. Dionysios (Greek), and Bp. Spyridon himself.

The attendance of Bp. Dionysios is significant in that, while there is a current break in communion between the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Moscow, and therefore the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Russian Church Abroad, the hierarchs are still finding opportunities for collaboration outside of liturgical concelebration.

In 2024, Metr. Nathanael of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago and Bp. Demetrios of Mokissos were prayerfully present at the funeral of Abp. Peter of blessed memory.

"The meeting took place in a spirit of brotherly support and cooperation, and this gathering was not just a dry formality," the diocesan release says of Sunday's meeting. "Actual programs and plans were discussed regarding how the Orthodox faithful of Chicagoland can work and collaborate for the glory of God and the good of His people, and about how the gathered hierarchs can support each other's work."

On Saturday, June 20, 2026, clergy and choir singers from across the Mid-American Diocese gathered at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, Illinois, to welcome His Grace Bp. Spyridon, the newly appointed ruling hierarch. The reception drew more than three dozen priests and a dozen deacons, who met him at the cathedral entrance upon his arrival.

At the cathedral, Bp. Spyridon was formally vested inside the church by diocesan subdeacons, and the liturgical celebration included ordinations during the service, including Reader Samuel Irizarry, who was later ordained a deacon. Senior clergy, including Protodeacon Alexander Kichakov and Archimandrite John (Magramm), took prominent roles in the liturgical proceedings, while the cathedral choir was led by Reader Michael Gill.

Following the Divine Liturgy, Archpriest Andre Papkov and Archpriest Gregory Joyce offered welcoming remarks on behalf of the clergy and diocesan leadership. A festive meal hosted by the cathedral sisterhood followed, after which clergy had the opportunity to meet Bp. Spyridon and speak with him individually before returning to their parishes.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Bp. Dionysios celebrated his first hierarchical Divine Liturgy.