Pan-Orthodox Akathistos Services to be held in Chicago Tuesday, April 3
CHICAGO, IL [MW Diocese Communications] — The Orthodox Christian Clergy Association of Greater Chicago will host the celebration of the Akathistos Hymn to the Mother of God in two locations on Tuesday, April 3, 2012.
The custom of holding a pan-Orthodox Akathistos Service was initiated a number of years ago, affording yet another opportunity for the region’s Orthodox Christian faithful to gather for common worship and fellowship. In order to foster greater participation — Chicago traffic, after all, is what it is!!! — the practice of celebrating two services simultaneously, one on the northside and the other on the southside, was introduced a few years ago.
According to Father Dean Botsis, OCCA secretary, the northside Akathistos will be celebrated at the New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery of the Protection of the Theotokos, Route 45, 1 mile south of Rt 132, Grayslake, IL.
Simultaneously, the southside Akathistos will be celebrated at Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, 12307 South Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights, IL.
Both services, which will be followed by lenten fellowship and refreshments, begin at 7:00 p.m.
In related news, the OCCA will host a Marriage Preparation Training Seminar open to all Orthodox Christian clergy on Thursday, May 17, 2012. Additional information will be forthcoming.
