Holy Virgin Protection Orthodox Cathedral
Des Plaines IL

Welcome to the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church located in Des Plaines, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Our church is a prominent place of worship for all the Russian Orthodox who live in Chicago and has as its goal the preservation of the spiritual traditions and the treasure of church services of ancient Russian Orthodoxy.

We hope to see you in person in our church where you will be able to enjoy the iconographic art, hear the splendid singing of our choir and to share in the joy of our Divine Services.

 

https://holyvirginprotection.org/  

 

From Chicago

Take I-90 west.
Take exit to Higgins Rd (IL-72) towards Lee Str. Turn right onto Higgins Rd.
Continue going along Higgins Rd to Lee Str. Turn right onto Lee Str.
Continue going north on Lee Str.
The cathedral is on the left (west) side about 0.8 miles away from Higgins Rd  

In 1949 the Russian Orthodox Church in Chicago began at 2141 West Pierce Avenue, led by Archpriest Vladimir Glindski. Owing to a generous donation from Prince Beloselsky and the generousness of kind people a 2 story house was purchased for twenty-six thousand dollars. With perseverance the persecuted Russian people had found a home for their parish. A church was set up on the first floor. The second floor became the rectory and the free space was turned into a kitchen. With his blessing Archbishop Vitaly sent an icon of the Protection of the Mother of God with the inscription, “Be not afraid little flock, for through His grace God has given you a church.” This icon is now one of the main relics in the temple. The parishioners were few, but gradually church life was established. They rapidly became a closely knit group as if a family.

The thoughtful and tireless devotion of Apollinaria Dmitrievna Khudyakovskaya helped to create a warm and cozy place. Archbishop Grigory, Father Arkady Stsepura, starosta P. D. Ross, choir director F. N. Muzika, the sisterhood and the parishioners – all had asked for a home in their prayers and God has given his help from above. Over the years the priests changed and parishioners came and went. In 1957, after the death of Matushka Stsepura, while still weak from a serious illness, Bishop Seraphim arrived in Chicago, replacing Archbishop Grigory . Bishop Seraphim took over the parish when it was still in need financially, but this did not deter him from beginning fund raising efforts for a new building. In 1958 a building, that had been a protestant church and a synagogue, was purchased at a cost similar to that of the original church building, and was transformed into a Russian Orthodox church. With the donations and diligent efforts of parishioners the necessary repairs to the building were completed.

Among those helping were G. V. Marchenko, A. I. Gorelik, I. M. Paskal, the Ermihov, Babetski, Filippov, and Hantel families, and subdeacons P. Burlakova and V. Terskoy and many other parishioners.Prince Beloselsky again helped, paying for the iconstasis. In 1964 the temple was consecrated. The flock grew and Protodeacon Father Ioan Logvinenko arrived to supplement the clergy and proved to be irreplaceable. Deacon Ioan was an expert woodworker and made candlesticks and kyots for icons with his own hands. Through the efforts of Archbishop Seraphim and his assistants a 52 acre parcel of land was purchased 100 miles west of Chicago. Later, on this site under the direction of Deacon Logvinenko, the Kovalenko family and other parishioners built a small church. The parcel of land was developed, new houses were built and streets were given classical Russian names such as Pushkin and Tchaikovsky and the growing community was called Vladimirovo. The children's summer camp ORPR found a home here. Vladika Seraphim spent every summer at Vladimirovo, celebrating the Divine Services for the Camp, and instructing the children in the Holy Orthodox Faith.

Even now Orthodox young people from Chicago and all over the world have a place to spend time each summer. Annually, with greater attendance the feast day of St. Vladimir is festively celebrated at the camp. On November 1st , 1964, Saint John of Kronstadt was glorified at the Holy Protection cathedral. During his modest life Saint John was revered by many people in Russia and the diaspora. In October of 1974 at the Holy Protection cathedral Bishop Alyppy (now Archbishop of Chicago and Mid-America) was ordained. Concelebrating at the ordination were Metropolitan Philaret, Archbishop Vitaly (who later became Metropolitan), Archbishop Serafim, Archbishop Laurus (who later also became Metropolitan). Also present was an assembly of clergy and many parishioners. Archbishop Alyppy worked with Archbishop Seraphim executing the duties of his assistant. At this time the parish school had nearly 30 pupils. They were divided into three classes and taught by N.V.Ermihova, E.Hantel, S.Savitsky. The library totaled some hundreds of books that had been donated. Father Mark did much wonderful work with the children. His knowledge of ancient Greek and the Russian and English languages proved to be of great benefit. It was with great regret that Archbishop Serafim reposed in the Lord at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac in 1987.

Although remembered as a strict and somewhat stern hierarch, Vladika Seraphim is also remembered as an Archpastor who loved and cared for his flock; those who knew him revere his memory. May his memory be eternal! All organizational questions, church affairs and parish life have found Archbishop Alyppy to be a blossoming spiritual and creative power. At the request of N. Fedulova, Archbishop Alyppy began to paint the dome of the temple. Working doggedly, the faces of the icons appeared one after another until, after only 16 days, the dome was completed. Even then he was seen as a maker of iconographic history. Parish life continued on and new parishioners arrived. Choir director Krylova left and was replaced by the young and energetic Polina Brezhneva and Vasily Muzika, who handled the duties of the choir with enthusiasm. New parishioners also became involved with the choir, and the singing was more beautiful than ever and gave a special feeling to the prayers. Starosta N. Fedulov was replaced by A. Grigorev.

Both were remarkable workers. At this time the Sisterhood was led by the indefatigable L. Azamat. For every feast tables were set. Dinners were organized, bazaars were held, pancakes and easter cakes were sold. The proceeds of all these events went to the needs of the church. As always the doors of the church were open to everyone. But as the parish grew the temple began to be crowded, especially at the great feasts. Other inconveniences such as no parking lot began to be felt, the character of the neighborhood changed and the temple was often vandalized. The time was ripe to look for a new location. The dream of building a new temple gave no rest to the modest Archbishop Alyppy. Resourceful Vladimir Georgievich Filippov began looking for another site. He found a 2 ¾ acre parcel with a house and garden already on it, for two hundred and forty thousand dollars. The large site was a joy, but it was also a problem because at that time the parish had only one hundred and fifty thousand dollars available for a new temple.

A parish meeting was held. It was noisy and not without disagreement, but due to the initiative of A. B. Pavlukovskaya, V. G. Fillippov and others the parishioners were convinced that it was necessary to build a new temple on this site and the funds needed had to be raised. Ahead was much hard work, but repairs rapidly began on the house in Des Plaines, and after spending two hundred thousand dollars the work was completed and Vladika Alyppy moved in January 1st, 1990, In 1991 the foundation for the new temple was laid and in early winter was blessed by Vladika Alyppy Not all went easily and smoothly with the construction of the new temple. Vladika Alyppy and V. G. Fillippov long sought permission from the local authorities for the construction of the temple dome which was higher than the surrounding structures and did not meet the requirements of the zoning ordinances. Eventually permission was granted and when the temple was completed it received an award for being one of the most beautiful buildings in Des Plaines.

The dream of Archbishop Alyppy was being accomplished. Vladika personally oversaw the construction and even helped, digging, sawing, carrying, cleaning – tirelessly, all day. Vladika still had to hurry into Chicago to conduct the Divine services at the old temple. More funds were needed to continue the construction. The parishioners were able to offer another three thousand dollars but this was not enough to keep going for long. A written request for donations was sent out to other parishes in America. Many sympathetic people responded and donations of around twenty-six thousand dollars were received. We remember with love the parishioners who have departed and bequeathed their savings to the church. It was also necessary to sell the old rectory on Pierce Street and use those proceeds toward the construction of the temple. With heavy hearts the time had come to say goodbye to the consecrated church in Chicago. But with God's help it was possible to find a small group of Orthodox Macedonians and the church was sold to them for a small sum. Even now some of our parishioners visit this church. However even with the sale of this building the funds did not cover the cost of constructing the temple.

Again an assembly was held, this time in the new but unfinished temple. About twenty people attended and within fifteen minutes one hundred fifteen thousand dollars was raised in donations and loans. The people understood the temple had to be finished. Their responsiveness, kindness and generosity were boundless. At this time the young and vigorous Father Vladimir Boykov arrived and hospitably welcomed parishioners with kindness and respect. After becoming familiar with each other, all the clergy, lead by Vladika Alyppy hastened to thank our Lord for his mercy toward us sinners. During the first feast of the Protection of the Mother of God in the new temple we prayed and felt a special gratitude to God. At the liturgy, concelebrated by Archbishop Alyppy and Archimandrite Kiprian, all the clergy were in blue vestments, the singing was wonderful and moving, the parishioners faces shined with joy and the autumn sun shone through the windows – all this created a heavenly atmosphere that filled the people with joy and they did not want to leave the temple. Our belief is alive, God has heard us, and the Protection of the Mother of God has not left us.

More than 20 years of peace making activity connects Archbishop Alyppy to us. He is close to us, the Russian people in the diaspora, in spirit, by birth and in modesty. He has devoted his best years to this temple, working during the free time not devoted to the Divine services to decorate the temple. Because of Vladika's fervent prayers and efforts a new majestic temple has been built and the iconography is almost completed. His wise management of the spiritual life of the parish has involved much prayer. For everyone's ardent efforts and for all who have brought their mite with fervent gratitude we express a BIG RUSSIAN THANK YOU. May the Lord keep you for many years! Construction committee for the holy temple (from Memories in Honor of the Great Holy Cathedral, 1995)