The Patriarch served 48 years as primate of the Georgian Church beginning on December 25, 1977. His Holiness was 93 at the time of his repose.

A memorial service will be held this evening at the Diocesan Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL, just before Vespers.

May his memory be eternal!

This year, the diocese is witnessing a remarkable increase among those soon to be received into the Church. According to Priest Esteban Vazquez, Vice Chancellor of the Diocese, there are just over 1,100 catechumens preparing to enter the Church at this time.

These catechumens are being welcomed by parish communities throughout the diocese and are being guided in their formation by parish priests, deacons, and dedicated lay catechists. Together, local communities accompany them through prayer, instruction, personal encouragement, and shared participation in the life of the Church.

“The season of Lent is especially significant for catechumens, both historically and liturgically,” Fr. Esteban said. “Through prayer, fasting, and reflection, they are called to draw closer to Christ and to prepare their hearts to receive the fullness of His Gifts.”

During Lent, catechumens continue their religious education and spiritual formation, participate in the worship of the Church and its Lenten services, and take part in the disciplines of the Fast. In this way, they carry on their journey toward Baptism, Chrismation, and Communion of the Holy Mysteries, and to full participation in the life of the Church. The commitment of these catechumens and their desire to share in the fullness of the Christian faith are signs of hope and renewal for the entire Church, encouraging and edifying the faithful everywhere.

The clergy, monastics, and faithful throughout the Diocese of the Midwest are encouraged to keep these catechumens in their prayers during this holy season, asking that God strengthen them as they prepare to embrace the fullness of the Church’s faith and life.

The new community, St. Paul the Apostle Monastery, was canonically established by decree of the Archbishop as a monastery and institution of the Diocese of the Midwest on March 11, 2026.  This action restores a stable monastic presence at the historic site which, for almost four decades, has been associated with Orthodox monastic life in the region. The formal establishment of the monastery marks a new chapter for the property, ensuring that the sacred site will continue to serve the Church as a place of prayer, repentance, and pilgrimage.

As part of the formal establishment of the monastery, Hierodeacon Menas (Thomas) has been appointed Superior of the monastery and entrusted with the spiritual and administrative leadership of the monastic brotherhood.  The monastery functions under the spiritual and canonical authority of the Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest, with the assistance of a duly appointed Board of Trustees.

In keeping with the traditional patterns of Orthodox monastic life, the monastery provides for its livelihood through its own labor.  Among its principal works is the production of mounted icon prints, prepared by the brotherhood and made available to the faithful.  This work supports the monastery while also making sacred iconography available to Orthodox Christians for prayer and devotion.

Archbishop Daniel asks the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of the Midwest to keep the new monastic community in their prayers as it develops its life and ministry, that it may grow into a flourishing center of Orthodox monastic life and witness in the American Midwest.

For more information about the monastery, visit their website.  To order icons from the monastery workshop, visit saintpaulsicons.org.

CHICAGO, IL [DOM] – The Department of Clergy Health and Family Life of the Diocese and the Midwest has announced the launching of a new initiative in 2026: Small Group Clergy Retreats. These retreats are offered at no expense to diocesan clergy. However, space is limited. Clergy may reserve a place at any one retreat by emailing the department at [email protected]. The dates and locations of the retreats are as follows:

September 1-3 at Holy Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, MI

October 20-22 at Holy Archangel Michael’s Skete in Weatherby, MO

November 11-13 at St. Gregory Palamas Monastery in Perrysville, OH

Retreat activities will include:

Attending the services of the monastery.
Time for quiet reflection/enjoying the grounds.
Guided discussion of a short reading from the Saints about priesthood/pastoral care.
An opportunity to help the host monastery with some manual labor.
Conversation with the Superior of the monastery.

On Tuesday evening, the Archbishop arrived at St. Vladimir’s Seminary with Archpriest Herman Kincaid, Chancellor, and Priest Alexander Koranda, Cathedral Dean, and Deacon Timothy Heinbokel. The delegation attended Great Compline and then gathered the seminarians and their family’s for dinner.

On the following day, March 4, the Archbishop celebrated his name day. At the conclusion of Matins at the Three Hierarchs Chapel, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, Rector, greeted the Archbishop and intoned “Many years” for him on the joyous occasion. The Archbishop reflected on the life of his heavenly patron encouraging the students to attentive and generous like St. Daniel of Moscow. Dr. Ionut Alexandru Tudorie, Dean of the Seminary, welcomed the Archbishop as well. The Archbishop and the fathers met with the Midwest seminarians for the remainder of the morning.

That evening, the Archbishop traveled to St. Tikhon’s Seminary and had dinner with the seminarians and their families. On Thursday, March 5, the Archbishop met with Archpriest John Parker, Dean of the Seminary and Priest Paul Witek, Dean of Academic Affairs, as well as the Midwest students throughout the morning.

The Archbishop remained at St. Tikhon’s for another day to attend the seminary’s board meeting, which the Archbishop is a member of.

If you would like to support the DOM seminarians please click here or reach out the Chancery.

For more information about the DOM seminarians, visit this page.

May St. Daniel of Moscow intercede for you before the Thone of God,
and may God grant you many years.

Archbishop Daniel served the Divine Liturgy and was joined by Archpriest Herman Kincaid, Chancellor, Priest Matthew Mcdonald, Rector, Archpriest Anthony Roeber and Archpriest Peter Tobias.

The service was also attended by the faithful of the nearby parish Nativity of the Virgin Mary.

Prior to the service, Timothy Sapp was ordained a Reader. Following the Divine Liturgy, a festive meal was held in the hall.

His Eminence concelebrated with His Grace Bishop Serafim of Kostajnica, as well as the clergy, and faithful from around Chicagoland. Responses were sung by the Pan Orthodox Choir of Greater Chicago.

Bishop Serafim was the homilist for Orthodoxy Sunday and offered a retreat to the clergy the next day. Archpriest Herman Kincaid, Chancellor also attended the service.

On Clean Monday and Clean Thursday, His Eminence read the Great Canon at the Diocesan Cathedral, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Chicago, IL. Priest Alexander Koranda, Cathedral Dean, served Great Compline. The Archbishop also served the first Presanctified Liturgy of the season on Wednesday morning at the Cathedral.

On Clean Tuesday, the Archbishop served at Christ the Savior Church, Chicago, IL, reading the second section of the Great Canon. Great Compline was served by Priest John Kennerk, Rector.

The Archbishop read the Great Canon on Clean Wednesday, at St. George Cathedral, Chicago, IL. Great Compline was served by Priest Nikolai Lochmatow.