2024 FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

In 2024, we practiced faithful stewardship, nurturing God’s gifts with care and integrity. We are grateful to our Board Members, staff, and volunteers for their commitment to financial integrity, with special thanks to our Finance Committee, led by His Grace, Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion.

Financial Highlights for 2024:

• Clean Audit: For the fifth consecutive year, we received a clean audit from the independent accounting firm of Miller-Cooper & Co., earning an unmodified opinion on our financial statements and practices.
• Growth of Burton Place Funds: Our Burton Place Funds grew by 4.5% to 4.75% through short-term insured certificates of deposit, adding $140,000 to savings, now totaling approximately $3,250,000. As directed by the 2019 and 2023 Clergy-Laity Assemblies, these funds, including earned interest, are reserved exclusively for acquiring a permanent Metropolis Home and cannot be used for programs or operations.
• Strategic Staffing Additions: To support the Five-Year Vision, we enhanced our team with three key hires:
  • We engaged Advantage Accounting Services, strengthening financial management with expert oversight.
  • Jayne McGrath joined as Director of Institutional Advancement, driving growth, donor engagement, and fundraising.
  • Fr. Patrick O’Rourke was appointed Director of Programs and Operations, optimizing efficiency and aligning day-to-day activities with the Vision.
• A Year-End Deficit: Despite record fundraising in 2024, we ended the year with a deficit of nearly 6.5%—our first under Metropolitan Nathanael. This was due to unplanned operational expenditures, including costs related to His Eminence’s tenure on the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate, and key investments in Metropolis staffing and the clergy development.

These outcomes reflect the careful decisions of the Metropolis Council and staff, ensuring accountability to both clergy and laity. Clear delegation of authority, transparent budgeting, and annual audits have reinforced our financial stewardship, nurturing a community that continues to bear fruit in Christ.

2024 SACRAMENTAL SNAPSHOT

Innovative Record Keeping and Streamlining Connections

In 2024, the Metropolis Registry launched the Fully Automated Digital Registry (FADR)—an innovation ensuring that the sacraments are recorded with the same care and reverence with which they are performed. This system features two core components: online forms for digital document submission and a secure digital registry database for efficient information management. By eliminating paper records, the FADR enhances cost efficiency, accuracy, and overall operational effectiveness—allowing our clergy to devote more time to caring for their flock.

Discussions about the Digital Registry began in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed development until late 2023. Initial training began in April 2024, followed by pilot testing at select churches, with final training and full implementation of the FADL in November.

“I would like to acknowledge and give credit to Justin Goldberg for developing the Registry Website and to Perry Giannopoulos for his valuable suggestions.”

Rev. Dn. Antonios Calash, Registrar, Metropolis of Chicago.

Celebrating Remarkable Growth and Revitalization of Sacramental Life

Across the Metropolis of Chicago, there has been a remarkable resurgence in the sacramental life of the Church, reflecting a powerful recovery to pre-Covid levels.

In 2024, baptisms reached their highest level since 2016, totaling 1,045, up 9.5% from 955 in 2023. Notably, adult baptisms surged by 70%, increasing from 50 to 85. Chrismations also hit a record high—the most since 2009—rising by 50%, from 280 in 2023 to 420 in 2024. Weddings reached their highest number since 2018, totaling 640, excluding 2021’s rebound year.

These numbers are vital indicators of our spiritual health and evangelical mission. Rising adult baptisms and chrismations reflect growing interest in Orthodox Christianity, and we expect this trend to continue as our parishes bear the fruit of the Five-Year Vision.