Good morning families and friends of Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL.
I’m Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews the pastor/proistamenos of our beloved parish.
We are in the midst of an unprecedented time. Since I was born, we have seen nothing like the breadth and scale of our nation’s, and indeed the world’s response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus. Only people who lived through WWII have seen such a mobilization of resources to achieve a common goal that protects the health and welfare of people across the globe.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Metropolis of Chicago, under the omophorion of His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, have taken extraordinary measures to align with the directives of national, state and local government officials as well as leaders in private corporations.
Of course, we are sad to indefinitely suspend all our church activities including our worship services. Some of us feel cut-off from our central source of faith and hope.
Howeve, I urge us to remember the words of the Apostle Paul, one of the patrons of our beloved parish, to the Christians in Rome:
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
I encourage all to pray with fervent faith in our homes with our families.
Our staff and parish council are working diligently to provide as many pastoral, educational and liturgical resources to you through the appropriate channels during this difficult time. Please stay tuned for announcements in the near future.
If anyone has questions or concerns and especially pastoral need, please reach out to our staff and we will help.
Finally, remembering the words of the Divine Liturgy let us pray for the peace of the world, for the sick and the suffering, for those in public service, for everyone’s safety and salvation.
I will close with the words of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians:
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7). Amen!
Καλἠ Τεσσαρακοστἠ! Blessed and Holy Lent!
+Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews