Metropolitan Christopher’s Body Arrives at Cathedral and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy is Celebrated Funeral

The body of His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher of blessed repose arrived at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, at 8:00 AM today, where it was met at the Cathedral doors one last time by His Grace Bishop Maxim of the Western America Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and where it will lie in state until 9:00 pm.

At 10:00 AM, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bp. GEORGIJE of Canada, His Grace Bp. Longin of the New Gracanica - Midwest Diocese, His Grace Bp. Mitrophan of the Eastern Diocese, His Grace Bp. Irinej of Australia and New Zeland, His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel of the Romanian Episcopate (O.C.A.), His Grace Bp. Petar of Cleveland, Vicar of Midwest Diocese (ROCOR), His Grace Bp. Mark - Diocese of Toledo and Midwest (Antiochian Orthodox Church), in attendance were His Grace Bp. Maxim of the Western American Diocese and Bishop Ilia of Philomelion Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America.

Addressing the hierarchs, clergy, family members, and faithful people at this morning's Liturgy, His Grace Bp. Mitrophan in his eulogy thank the reposed Metropolitan Christopher for His leadership, guidance, and dedication to the Serbian Orthodox Church, for his efforts at the St. Sava School of Theology in at Libertyville, IL., and for His tireless work in the vineyard of the Lord."

Funeral Matins for the newly reposed Metropolitan Christopher will be served at the Chicago Cathedral beginning at 7:00 PM tonight by Eastern Orthodox hierarchs from across the United States, Canada, and Australia, and in the presence of church representatives and diplomats from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia.

In order to accommodate large numbers of people who are expected at tonight's service, the Cathedral has set up overflow tents that will carry live video of the funeral Matins and eulogies next to the church's main entrance.

Metropolitan Christopher of blessed repose will be buried tomorrow at St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois, following a Hierarchical Divine Requiem Liturgy that will be celebrated at the Monastery at 9:00 AM.