Archbishop Peter of Chicago & Mid-America
Archbishop Peter (in the world, Paul A. Loukianoff) was born in San Francisco in 1948, of Don Cossack ancestry. His family had lived in China before moving to San Francisco in the 1940's. Archbishop Peter was an altar boy at the San Francisco cathedral to Archbishop Tikhon (Troitsky) and close to St. John (Maximovitch), with whom he served the last 3 years prior to St. John's repose. The future Bishop Peter studied at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY, and graduated in the Class of 1971: then at Norwich University, VT, and Theological Faculty of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
He later taught at the seminary in Jordanville, was professed a monk and ordained there. He served as the Inspector of the seminary, and as head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem. In 2002, after Archbishop Alypy's accident, he was sent to Chicago as Administrator of the Diocese. On July 12, 2003, at the request of Archbishop Alypy, he was consecrated Bishop of Cleveland and Administrator of the Diocese of Chicago and Detroit (later renamed the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America). At the Divine Liturgy commemorating the 50th anniversary of the blessed repose of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco on Saturday, July 2, 2016, His Grace Bishop Peter was commemorated for the first time as Archbishop and given the title of “Chicago & Mid-America”.
Interim Rector Fr. Micah Chisholm
Father Micah was born on the east side of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, the fourth of seven children born to his parents. The future Father Micah began his collegiate studies at Northern Michigan University pursuing a degree in Sports Medicine (2004). Upon sensing a call to Christian ministry he transferred to Asbury University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biblical Studies (2007). Following a three year period engaged in full time youth and music ministry in the United Methodist Church, he attended Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA and began to learn more about the historic Christian faith. He wed Stephanie Selle (of Pinconning, MI) on October 2, 2010.
After completing a Master of Arts degree in Church History (2012), he was ordained a deacon and then priest in the Anglican Church in North America and served All Saints Anglican Church in Springfield, MO for two years (2012-2014). While serving All Saints, the seeds sown while studying Church History in seminary blossomed with the discovery of the Orthodox Church. Following a period of discernment and catechesis, Micah was released from his ministry in the Anglican Church and he and his growing family were received into the Holy Orthodox Church on July 2, 2014 (The Feast of St. John of San Francisco) at St. Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Church in Springfield, MO.
Father Micah and his family returned to Michigan where he completed post-graduate studies in chaplaincy, bereavement care and crisis management. Father Micah currently works as the Social Services Coordinator for the Salvation Army Social Services Office of Cadillac, MI, assisting families in crisis throughout a three county service area.
In June of 2020 Father Micah completed the Diploma in Pastoral Theology from the Orthodox Pastoral School sponsored by the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America (ROCOR).
He was ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Peter, the diocesan bishop, on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 19/6 2020) and ordained to the priesthood on the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God (August 28/15, 2020) at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, Il. Father Micah is assigned as the priest in charge of St. Sebastian Orthodox Christian Church.
Joining him in life and ministry are Matushka Stephanie and their six children: Miriam, Joel, Esther, Simeon, Ezra and Naomi. They reside just outside of Mesick, MI where they are building a small hobby farm and enjoying the beauty of God's creation.
Serving Priest Fr. Dmitri Mihaliov
Father Dmitri was born and baptized in New York City and moved frequently in his youth before his family settled down in Lee, Maine. In his youth he became interested in the study of the physical world, which led to him earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 2018. He continued his education by enrolling in a program for a Doctorate in Applied Physics also at the University of Michigan, which he currently is pursuing and is expected to complete in the Fall of 2024.
It was in his studies that he came to develop a deep appreciation of the intricacies of the physical world and developed a longing to glorify its Creator. During his graduate studies, he started to pursue a Diploma in Pastoral Theology from the Orthodox Pastoral School sponsored by the Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America (ROCOR). Meanwhile, he served at the St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church in Dexter, Michigan. It is at St. Vladimir that has was ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Peter, the diocesan bishop, on the Feast of the Prophet Micah (August 27/14) in 2021 and ordained to the priesthood on the same feast, one year later in 2022.
Father Dmitri is currently assigned as the serving priest of St. Ambrose Orthodox Christian Church, and acts as an assistant priest at St. Vladimir in the time prior to his relocation to northern Michigan. Alongside him are Matushka Dr. Katherine and his children Simeon and Nina.