Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America reposes in the Lord
Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America. Photo: chicagodiocese
On November 8, 2024, Archbishop Peter (Lukianov) of Chicago and Mid-America of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) reposed in the Lord, as reported by the website of the Diocese of Chicago.
“We sincerely regret to inform you that our Abba Archbishop Peter has reposed in the Lord. More information will be forthcoming. Please remember our newly-reposed spiritual leader in your prayers,” stated the announcement.
Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America, a permanent member of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, was born Pavel Andreyevich Lukianov on August 9, 1948, in San Francisco.
On August 19, 1965, he was tonsured as a reader by St. John (Maximovich). As a young man, he assisted and accompanied St. John on his pastoral visits. In September 1966, he entered Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville and remained at the Holy Trinity Monastery.
From 1971 to 1976, he worked with the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, assisting Bishop Laurus of Manhattan, the future ROCOR First Hierarch. After completing seminary, he graduated from Norwich University and the Faculty of Theology at the University of Belgrade.
In 1988, he took monastic vows and was ordained a hierodeacon. On April 25, 1989, he was ordained a hieromonk. Fr. Peter taught Church History and World History and Civilization at Holy Trinity Seminary and served as the seminary inspector. In 2000, he was appointed head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.
On July 12, 2003, he was consecrated as Bishop of Cleveland, a vicar of the Diocese of Chicago and Detroit. Due to the illness of Archbishop Alypy of Chicago and Mid-America, he was appointed administrator of the Chicago Diocese. On May 13, 2008, he was elected a permanent member of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, and on July 1, 2016, he was elevated to Archbishop and made ruling bishop of Chicago.
As previously reported by the UOJ, ROCOR compared Law 8371 to the Church persecutions under the Bolsheviks.
Read also
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.
Festival marking Orthodox Youth Day held in UOC's Volyn Eparchy
In Lutsk, the UOC’s annual youth forum brought together parish groups, clergy, and participants in a creative program for Orthodox Youth Day.
London mayor switches on festive Ramadan lights
In London, the Muslim mayor inaugurated Ramadan illuminations: a central street was decorated with a “Happy Ramadan” sign and Islamic-style ornaments.
DESS: Ramadan is a time of special closeness to the Almighty
DESS congratulated Ukraine’s Muslims on the beginning of Ramadan.