With the saints, give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant!

Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America, member of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad, has reposed in the Lord.

We express our condolences to all his relatives and to all who knew the bishop during his life.

A panykhida will be held at the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco today, November 8, at 7:30.

Archbishop Peter was born in this city and was tonsured a reader by Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

We call upon all clergy and laity to pray for the repose of the newly departed Archbishop Peter!

May the Lord number his soul with the righteous, where there is no sickness, no sorrow, no sighing, but Life everlasting!

+ Archbishop Kirill
+ Bishop Theodosy
+Bishop James

On Friday, November 8, 2024, a memorial service was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of "Joy of All Who Sorrow" for the newly departed Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America.

A panykhida was led by His Grace Theodosius Bishop of Seattle and His Grace Jacob Bishop of Sonora. Several clergy of the Western American Diocese concelebrated with them. At the end of the memorial service both bishops expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the newly-departed Archbishop Peter.

On Friday, November 8, 2024, the feast day of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica, His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America died suddenly.

He was born on August 9, 1948, in San Francisco. There he also studied at SS Cyril and Methodius High School. On August 19, 1965, he was ordained a reader by St John (Maximovich, †1966). He was an altar boy to Saint John, helping him and accompanying him on his archpastoral journeys. In September 1966, he entered Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY, and he remained at Holy Trinity Monastery.

From 1971 to 1976, he worked in the Chancery of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, assisting Bishop Laurus of Manhattan. After graduating from seminary, he graduated from the University of Norwich and the Theology Department of the University of Belgrade.

On March 2, 1987, he became a novice. In 1988, he was tonsured a monk and ordained a hierodeacon by Archbishop Laurus of Syracuse and Holy Trinity.

On April 25, 1989, he was ordained a hieromonk. He taught Church History, World History, and Civilization at Holy Trinity Seminary, and was an inspector of the seminary. As for monastic obediences, he served as secretary of the Spiritual Council of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

In 2000, he was appointed head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission of the ROCOR in Jerusalem. In 2002, he was appointed administrator of the Diocese of Chicago and Detroit.

In 2003, he was consecrated Bishop of Cleveland, Vicar of the Diocese of Chicago.

By the decision of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops of June 30-July 1, 2016, he was appointed to be the Ruling Bishop the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America. At a meeting of the Synod, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop.

The time and place of the funeral services, funeral, and burial of Archbishop Peter will be announced shortly.

Synod.com