On Saturday and Sunday, February 7 and 8, 2009 His Beatitude Metropolitan Christopher will visit the Diocesan Cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God in Des Plaines, IL.  This will be the first visit of a Primate of an Orthodox Church to our diocese other than the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.  After the Divine Liturgy on February 8 (which is also the name’s day of His Grace, Bishop Peter of Cleveland) a meal will be offered by the Cathedral Sisterhood.  A donation of $10 for adults, $7 for pensioners, and $5 for students is asked.  Following the meal Metropolitan Christopher will address the gathering regarding the life of the Church of the Czech lands.  His Beatitude’s remarks will be in Russian, but simultaneous English translation will be available.  All clergymen of the diocese are called upon to attend the services if at all possible, and all parishioners of the diocese are invited.

Priest Gregory Joyce
Diocesan Secretary