Chicago Deanery Gets Ready to Greet Jubilee Icon

A recent meeting of the priests of the Chicago Deanery was held at Nativity of the BVM Church in Palos Park, Illinois. After a Moleben to the Mother of God celebrated by Fr Basil Salkovski OSBM, pastor and Dean, the clergy gathered to discuss parochial participation in the current Jubilee Year.

Here it was learned that when Bishop Richard approached the Presbyteral Council in 2009 for suggestions on observing the fiftieth anniversary of Saint Nicholas Eparchy, the idea of an icon depicting the Most Holy Virgin extending her “omofor” over St. Nicholas Cathedral resulted.

In May of 2010, the decision was made that this Jubilee Icon of the “Protection” would visit every parish of the eparchy. Beginning in the Detroit Deanery on June 4, 2010, when the Icon was blessed and introduced to the faithful of our vast St. Nicholas Eparchy, the icon began Her pilgrimage. Currently the holy image is in pilgrimage through the South/West Deanery.

 In July of 2011 the icon will come into the Chicago Deanery and the final destination shall be the main church of the Eparchy, Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Chicago.

For the last leg of the celebration of Saint Nicholas Eparchy, the Chicago Deanery, along with the Golden Jubilee Committee, are planning many events through the area, in addition to one whole weekend of celebrations, culminating with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Cathedral, September 25, 2011. Details of these events are still being finalized, and will be announced as soon as the details are complete.

When the Icon finally reaches the Chicago Deanery, with parishes in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, the Icon shall stay at least one weekend in each of the parishes and then proceed to the next parish on the schedule.

Each pastor or administrator is to inform the chancellor of the parochial visit for the chancery archives and coverage in “New Star” article.

 Fitting services to the Mother of God—the Akathist—are to be celebrated for the whole parish and community

In addition to setting the schedule for the visit of the Jubilee Icon in each parish in July, August and September of 2011, it was also decided to honor the patron of the Eparchy throughout the year.

Consequently, each parish was encouraged to place a garland around the icon of St Nicholas on the iconostas beginning with St Nicholas Day, 2010, continuing until St Nicholas Day, 2011. Additionally, the prayer found on the reverse of the Jubilee Icon is to be recited weekly during the same time period, as a continual reminder of our need for heavenly intercession. In the spirit of unity and gratitude, the continued protection of the God-bearer should be sought by all.

Attending were: Frs Basil Salkovski, OSBM, Mykola Buradnyk, Thomas Glynn, James Karepin, OP, Leonard Korchinski, Ihor Koshyk, Mykhailo Kuzma, Oleh Krivokulsky, ,John Lucas, Yaroslav Mendyuk, Bohdan Nalysnyk, Pavlo Popov, Deacon Michael Cook, and Subdeacon Petro Rudka. Following the meeting all were invited for dinner in the parish hall.

A text for the Jubilee Akathist is in preparation in English and Ukrainian, and to be made available for each of the deanery parishes.

As the time approaches, New Star will publish the specific dates the Jubilee Icon will be in each parish, beginning with the Dormition Parish in St. Louis.