A committed and growing group of faithful have been gathering in Northern Michigan near where the Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas for reader's services and regular though infrequent services with a priest. Archbishop Peter of Chicago understands how hard it is for small communities to maintain their zeal without regular services and looked for a priest for the community. Priest Dmitri Mihaliov, formerly a deacon attached to St Vladimir in Ann Arbor, was ordained for the mission. He and his wife, Dr. Katherine Mihaliov, moved their growing family to the Upper Peninsula side of the bridge where there were more favorable real estate conditions and have begun regular services in the garage attached to their family home.



Wishing to extend their support for the mission and to establish lasting friendships, the clergy of Northern Michigan gathered on September 14, 2024, for Divine Liturgy and a delicious meal at the Mihaliov home with them and their gathered parishioners. In attendance were the mission’s interim rector and supervising priest, Priest Micah Chisholm of St. Sebastian in Traverse City, Priest Benjamin Naasko of Sts. Sergius and Herman of Valaam in Houghton, Priest Jesse Rimshas of St. Jacob in Ishpeming, and Subdeacon Dionysios DeLong who is attached to St. Ambrose Mission. The joyous day marks a great point in the growing Orthodox presence in Northern Michigan.

Please keep the Mihaliov family and their parishioners in your prayers and consider donating to their good work. The city has allowed them to use this residential garage for only one year before another home from the mission may be found and donations will allow them to find a suitable place more quickly. More information about the mission and its scheduled services may be found on their website at

https://stambroseorthodox.org/