On Sunday evening, February 1, 2004 a fundraising dinner was sponsored by Chicagoans to raise the remainder of funds for the casting of a bell "from the people of Illinois" that will be housed at St. Catherine the Great Martyr Church.
In attendance at this gathering were officials from the city of Chicago as well as the State of Illinois, most notable, State Treasurer, Judy Baar Topinka. A special blessing for those gathered was the presence of retired Metropolitan THEODOSIUS, former Primate of the Orthodox Church in America who flew into Chicago specifically to support this event. Other clergy in attendance included a Roman Catholic priest and a Lutheran pastor from the Chicago area.
The bell is currently being cast. The funds raised at this event will be used for the purchase of this bell. There are plans being made for a delegation from the State of Illinois to travel to Moscow for the dedication of this wonderful symbol of support from the people of Illinois.
