CHICAGO, IL [DOM] – June 3 – 5 was a joyous and busy time at the Diocesan Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL. The cathedral community, who celebrates the 120th year anniversary of the building of the temple, enjoyed services all weekend, welcoming faithful from all over Chicagoland. This commemoration took on special importance as it is also the altar feast of the Cathedral.
On June 4, Soul Saturday, Priest Alexander Koranda, Cathedral Dean, served the Divine Liturgy with Protodeacon Thomas Keith and Deacon Paul Garklavs. The responses were sung by the St. Romanos Choir under the direction of Dr. Peter Jermihov. The choir is a part of the Society of Saint Romanos which was founded in 2001 to promote Eastern Orthodox culture in general and sacred music in particular. The amateur chamber choir is comprised of church musicians singing works from the various branches of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The choir did arrangements from the Divine Liturgy by Archpriest Sergei Glagolev. Audio clip from Divine Liturgy.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was held.
Fr. Alexander offered words of gratitude to Dr. Jermihov and the singers reminded those gathered the importance of commemorating the departed by offering our talents to glorify God. A reception was held following Prayers of Thanksgiving.
Later that evening, Archbishop Daniel of Chicago and the Midwest presided over the All-Night Vigil for the Great Feast of Pentecost.
The feast of Holy Pentecost was celebrated on Sunday, June 4 by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel and the cathedral clergy. Great Vespers with the Kneeling Prayers of Pentecost were held after Divine Liturgy. The community shared in a festive picnic on the cathedral grounds following the services.
Holy Spirit Monday, June 5, His Eminence welcomed His Grace Bishop Neofitos of Eldoret and Northern Kenya of the Alexandrian Patriarchate to the cathedral. His Grace is a friend of the Diocese of the Midwest and was the pleased to be able to serve for the feast of the Cathedral. His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad was also in prayerful attendance. Clergy from around the Chicago Deanery participated in the celebration of the day. Following the Divine Liturgy, a Cross Procession was held.
The services concluded and His Eminence welcomed the visiting hierarchs and presented gifts. The Archbishop also was appreciative to his clergy and faithful who gathered for the important occasion. A festive meal was held in the hall following Prayers of Thanksgiving.
