OUR STORY
archbishop peter blessed the mission
Sept 4, 2023
Holy martyrs Saint Sophia and her daughters Faith, Hope and Love lived in Italy in second century A.D. Sophia was a wise and devout Christian, named her daughters by the names of Christian virtues and raised them in love of our Lord Jesus Christ teaching them to live the life pleasing to God in prayer, fasting, house-work and helping the poor. The girls grew in virtues and faith and stayed obedient to their mother.
founding meeting and moleben
Sept 30, 2023
By the blessing of His Eminence Peter, Archbishop of Chicago and Mid-America, the mission of Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and Their Mother Sophia was established in the Northwest of Chicagoland on September 5, 2023. In the day of feast of Saints Faith, Hope, Love and Their Mother Sophia, September 30, 2023, Rev. Fr. Antony Alekseyenko serviced the moleleben (prayer) and led the first parish meeting. The mission was established and its original vision to build an Orthodox Church and open a cemetery in the Northwest of Chicagoland was re-affirmed.
Preparation of the building
building altar, etc, Feb – Mar, 2024
Evgeny assembles the throne. He made it himself without a single nail or glue.
All worked hard, clean the temple and donated many things for the mission.
Sanctification of
the temple
April 18, 2024
By the blessing of His Eminence Peter, Archbishop of Chicago and Mid-America, the temple was sanctified.
First Liturgy
On the Feast of St. Mary of Egypt,
April 21, 2024
Beginning of services
May, 2024
First picnic
dedicated to the feast of
the church, September 29, 2024
The mission members and its guests gathered for a picnic on the eve of the feast of Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and Sophia.
First feast of the church
Archbishop Peter served as
a priest, September 30, 2024
His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and
Mid-America serving the liturgy on the feast day of
Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Lave and their Mother Sophia.
The beginning of services twice a month
October, 2024
the Holy Trinity
Feast outdoors
June 8, 2025
Feast of the church
Very Rev. Fr. Gregory Joyce served, September 30, 2025
The beginning of services every Sunday
November, 2025
If there is a desire in the heart to build a church and work for the glory of God, this may be from God. As it is written “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). This honor and privilege is extended to all Orthodox who are willing and making an effort.
The churches had been built by the “whole world” (vcem mirom – всем миром). Every contribution counts (Mark 12:42). And, therefore this is an invitation to every Orthodox who has a desire to participate and support this good God’s work.