BURR RIDGE, IL [DOM] – On December 1, the Diocesan Council convened under the chairmanship of His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest, for their final meeting of 2023.
The Bishop’s Council met on the previous day, November 30, throughout the afternoon. The meeting gathered Archbishop Daniel along with the Deans of the diocesan deaneries: Archpriest Alexander Kuchta; Chicago Dean; Archpriest Andrew Clements, Cleveland Dean; Archpriest Steven Kostoff, Indianapolis Dean; Archpriest Timothy Sawchak, Kansas City Dean; Archpriest Dusan Koprivica, Michigan Dean; and Archpriest Paul Wesche, Minneapolis Dean. Priest Esteban Vázquez, Diocesan Vice-Chancellor, and Archpriest Nicholas Wyslutsky were also in attendance.
On Friday morning, the Diocesan Council held their meeting at St. Peter and St. Paul Church, Burr Ridge, IL. The meeting was chaired by His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel. His Eminence began his report by first offering his condolences to Archpriest Paul Jannakos, Diocesan Chancellor, whose father, Protodeacon Nicholas Jannakos, recently reposed. Memory eternal was sung for the late Protodeacon. Continuing his report, the Archbishop highlighted a number of events that has taken place in the diocese in the past couple of months, notably the Diocesan Assembly, the OCA National Clergy Retreat, and the Fall Session of the Holy Synod. Reflections on the clergy and parishes were also offered. The Archbishop concluded by reviewing administrative plans that aim to build up the current ministries and departments of the diocese.
Reports were given by the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Metropolitan Council representative, Treasurer, and the various ministries of the diocese, as well as reports from each deanery.
At the beginning of the afternoon session, Archbishop Daniel presented Fr. Andrew Clements with the St. John of Chicago Cross for his many years of service to the diocese as Rector and also as Dean of the Cleveland Deanery.
The St. John of Chicago Cross is a diocesan award that was instituted by the late Archbishop Paul (Gassios) to recognize distinguished clergy within the diocese.
