Religious split healing in Midwest

Kissing the icon (September 9, 2007)





Russian Orthodox leaders from Moscow visit faithful at Des Plaines cathedral



By Margaret Ramirez Tribune religion reporter
September 10, 2007



Beneath the blue, onion-shaped dome of Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, hundreds of Russian Orthodox faithful filled the sanctuary Sunday for a historic moment that took 80 years to come.

Incense that had been blessed mixed with burning candles inside the church, as the standing worshipers pressed closely against one another. Each member watched, praying and hoping to see the Russian Orthodox leaders from Moscow.

With this first visit to the Orthodox community of the Midwest, the service symbolized a long-awaited reunion and reconciliation between the Moscow clergy and the Russian Orthodox abroad.

"The service today is the result of a long, somewhat painful, process that we went through toward reunifying the Russian Orthodox Church," said Rev. Andre Papkov, 56, senior priest of the church. "For those of us who left years ago, this is like our pilgrimage back to Moscow.

"I perceive this as a great miracle that we can now all pray together.

"The Russian Orthodox Church split in 1917 during the Bolshevik Revolution. Church leaders who stayed in Russia ...Read the rest here: