Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church of Palatine
Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church of Palatine serves the Orthodox Christian community of Palatine, Illinois, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Economos Christos Mihalopoulos, Presiding Priest; Rev. Presbyter Patrick O’Rourke, Assistant Priest; Rev. Deacon Zacharias Zaharis
Church Type:
Parish
Denomination:
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis:
Metropolis of Chicago
Affiliation:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ecumenical Patriarch:
Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Clergy Information updated Jan 2026
History
Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church of Palatine, Illinois was the first parish in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to bear the name of Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker, a distinction that Archbishop Elpidophoros himself acknowledged at the parish's fiftieth anniversary celebration in November 2024, calling it the first in the Sacred Archdiocese to be named for the Glory and Joy of Aegina.
The parish began in 1974, when a group of faithful Greek Orthodox Christians in the far northwest suburbs of Chicago gathered with a shared desire to establish a new parish closer to their homes. A core committee was formed, and its members made calls to friends and family and searched local telephone directories for Greek names to find people who might be interested. After meeting with Bishop Timotheos and seeking his guidance, the committee applied to the State of Illinois for a charter in the name of Saint Nektarios. The charter was issued in the summer of 1974, and the first church services were held on the weekend of Saint Nektarios' feast day, November 10, 1974, at the Rolling Meadows High School Auditorium, with Father Steve Zanis as the first clergyman to serve the parish. That evening, the first annual dinner dance was held at a nearby banquet facility.
On January 13, 1976, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese issued an Ecclesiastical Charter to the parish, and in March of 1976 a five-acre parcel of land was purchased near the intersection of Roselle and Palatine Roads. A small building on the property was renovated into a chapel, furnished with an altar, iconostasis, icons, solea, nave, narthex, meeting room, office, and basement. The Thyranoixia was celebrated on September 26, 1976, with Bishop Timotheos officiating, marking the community's first true house of worship. Continued growth through the late 1970s and early 1980s demonstrated the need for a larger sanctuary, and groundbreaking for new church facilities was held on June 20, 1982. Through the 1990s the parish expanded further, purchasing an additional five acres to bring the total property to nearly sixteen acres at the southeast corner of Roselle and Palatine Roads, a campus that grew alongside the parish's youth programs, Sunday School, and Greek School.
In November 2024 the parish celebrated its golden anniversary with Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presiding over Great Vespers and a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, marking fifty years of Orthodox Christian witness in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church at 8 North Roselle Road in Palatine serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of Chicago's northwest suburbs as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
This page serves as a reference resource for Saint Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church of Palatine, providing essential information such as location, contact details, clergy, and church affiliation. It is intended to help visitors and members of the Orthodox Christian community easily find accurate parish information in one place.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register as a member at a Greek Orthodox parish?
Parish membership is generally established by registering with the church office. Each parish may have its own process for enrollment and participation in parish life.
Can I attend services if I am not a registered member of the parish?
Greek Orthodox churches welcome visitors and non-members to attend services. Participation in sacraments may require coordination with the parish and priest.
How do I contact the parish priest for pastoral matters?
Pastoral requests are typically handled by the parish priest. The parish office can assist with contact details and help coordinate appointments or inquiries.
How do I register to baptize my child in the Greek Orthodox Church?
Baptism requests are handled by the local parish. The church will usually require documentation from the parents and godparent, along with coordination with the priest to schedule the baptism.
How do I request a wedding date at my Greek Orthodox church?
Wedding dates are scheduled through the parish office and priest. Availability depends on the church calendar, fasting periods, and parish guidelines, so it is recommended to inquire well in advance.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox marriage certificate?
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the church where the sacrament took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox baptismal certificate?
Baptismal certificates are typically issued by the church where the baptism took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
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