CHICAGO, IL [DOM] – With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL welcomed His Grace Bishop Alexei of Sitka and Alaska on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9. Bishop Alexei traveled to Chicago at the invitation of the Orthodox Christian Clergy Association of Greater Chicago to offer the sermon for the Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers and to give the annual clergy retreat held the next day.
On Saturday afternoon, His Grace presented a lecture at Holy Trinity Cathedral entitled, “Beauty in Church Architecture.” The talk focused on the importance of beauty within our temples, and the profound spiritual impact and benefit it offers to the beholder. Following the lecture, a reception was held and His Grace attend Vigil.
The following day, the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Bishop Alexei presided over Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral. His Grace was assisted by Priest Alexander Koranda, Cathedral Dean, Archpriest Tarasiy Maxim, and Deacon Paul Garklavs. The choir was directed by Ms. Olga Garklavs.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace offered a reflection on spiritual focus and fortitude in connection with Orthodoxy Sunday. Fr. Alexander greeted Bishop Alexei on behalf of Archbishop Daniel and presented a gift to the Bishop. The Cathedral community also offered a donation to the Diocese of Alaska’s Clergy Endowment Fund in honor of the Bishop’s visit. Fr. Tarasiy was also congratulated on the occasion of his name day.
