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I(& my daughter) would like to attend a Byzantine Catholic or other eastern catholic liturgy on Oct 2nd(evening) or Oct 3rd(10-10;30am), that would be within cab drive from Holiday Inn at 506 W. Harrison, Chicago. It must be in English. Can someone help out there? I saw the English liturgy(11;30am) at St Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, but not enough time for me to make my flight at O'Hare in the afternoon, to Detroit. John.

John

I know you said you wanted to go to an English Liturgy, but if I were in you're shoes I'd go to the Ukrainian Liturgy at St Nicholas (don't understand the language myself) or the one down the block at St Volodymyr and Olha. That way you could see two of the most beautiful churches in Chicago, and time permitting you could even take a peek at Holy Trinity, St Volodymyr,and St George Cathedral, Orthodox churches in the same neighborhood. I think it would be well worth you're time and you'd get to see 5 impressive churches.

John:

Another excellent choice is Annunciation in Homer Glen, Illinois. In my humble opinion it is simply beautiful! The parishioners and the priest are A+.

http://www.byzantinecatholic.com/

I realize that you just want a cab ride, however please rent a car and drive 40 miles to see the Divine Liturgy celebrated like you have never seen it celebrated.

I drove over 200 miles one way to attend last Sunday and was sweep off my feet!

Smar


http://www.byzantinecatholic.com/

John,

Long time no see. Welcome back.

Smar's suggestion of Annunciation is certainly more than worth considering - the parish's reputation and that of its pastor are widespread and deservedly so, from everything I have ever heard. But, just in case you don't want to go that far (I'd guess it to be about 30 miles) ...

It seems to me (relying on fond memories of my very favorite city) that SS. Volodymyr & Olha (Ukrainian) is the closest Byzantine parish to the Holiday Inn, probably not more than 5 miles (about the same distance as the Cathedral). I don't know the schedule for Divine Liturgy at SS V&O, but knowing what I do of the parish, I suspect that it is likely not served in English (which I think is what Lawrence is suggesting as well). I agree with him that the churches he's mentioned are all beautiful and worth seeing.

Ss. Peter & Paul (Romanian) Mission
(Father Sergiu Cornea, Administrator)
3107 Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Tel.: 630-896-4807

SS. Peter & Paul is about 6 or 7 miles from the hotel; it used to have a Sunday Divine Liturgy at 9:30 AM (in English and Slavonic), but I have no idea if that is still accurate. It's located at the site of what was formerly the only (and, now, regretably, suppressed) Bielarussian Catholic parish in the US. They don't have a website, as far as I know, but you can see a picture of it on St. Michael's Russian Catholic (NYC) site. It's a small church and lacks the magnificence of the established parishes, but it has a beauty of its own.
SS. Peter & Paul Romanian (scroll down to Christ the Redeemer) [stmichaelruscath.org]

I think I remember that Michael (Coalesco) has been there more recently and may have some info to add.

There's a Melkite parish in North Lake, about 15 miles from the hotel; Liturgy is in English and Arabic, but it's at 11:00am, which may be later than you'd like - you didn't say what time the flight is.

I haven't been in the Windy City for about 5 years now and don't have a clue what taxi rates are like; hopefully, Amado (Amadeus) or Lawrence will chime in with some info on that. With that caveat, here's another option:

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ukrainian)
8530 West 131st Street, Palos Park, IL 60464
tel: 708-361-8876
Liturgy: Sat 5pm (?lang), Sun 8:45am (Eng)
approx. 25 miles

There are several options for Eastern Catholic Liturgies in the non-Byzantine Churches; there are Chaldean, Syro-Malankarese, Syro-Malabarese, and Ethiopian parishes within about 10 miles of the hotel and a Maronite parish about 15 miles away. I'll see what I can find out about languages/times, if you are interested in any of those.

Many years,

Neil

Dear John:

I live two blocks north of the Holiday Inn at which you are staying.

Please send me your e-mail via PM and let's talk.

Yours,

hal

I agree that Sts. V & O is worthy visit! It's all in Ukrainian, so what, you won't regret it!

I don't know Ukrainian. But I do know Divine Liturgy, so if you know Divine Liturgy in your heart, then it wouldn't matter what language it is, because the Liturgy transcends the language.

On a typical Sundays, they have I think 3 or 4 Liturgies (all are packed with people). Right down the block from Sts. V & O Church, there is the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. They also have Divine Liturgy 3 times on Sundays, two of them Ukrainian and one in English (at 11:00 I believe). Of course, Sts. V & O Church is much more impressive than the Cathedral, not only because of beautiful Icons at every inch of the Church, but because it's truly an Orthodox worship.

Hope you'll have a great time in Chicago. If you have time, go to the Navy Pier, near the Magnificient Mile area.

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine

I am very sorry that I did not get back to all of you, who responded to my question back in October, 2004. My daughter and I had to result to attend the Roman Catholic cathedral in downtown Chicago and it was nice. She does not go to church, but will go with me. Someday(hopefully in my lifetime), I want to attend Divine Liturgy at Annunciation in Homer Glen (Fr Tom's site is fantastic), and include other Eastern Catholic churches in Chicago. Enjoyed the Navy Pier, and walking all over the city and a ball game(Cubs). Have many questions as I try to learn more about Byzantine Rite(or is it church?). John