In 1895, an Orthodox parish, St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, was established in Holdingford, Minnesota. It existed for about one hundred years, but eventually closed in the mid-1990’s. This community was the first Orthodox church in Central Minnesota. Since the late 1980’s, a few Orthodox Christians in St. Cloud began meeting in people’s homes for worship. Priests visiting from St. Mary’s Cathedral in Minneapolis periodically visited St. Cloud and the newly-formed mission of St. James. There was no permanent priest, however.
In 1999, several Orthodox families in the St. Cloud area decided that it was time to start a more permanent Orthodox community there. His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago, therefore established them as a mission, then known as St. Cloud Orthodox Mission. Fr Nathan Kroll was assigned as the first pastor to this community, and worship often took place within the homes of the parishioners.
Eventually, a suitable building was found and purchased. On Holy Myrrhbearers Sunday (April 29, 2001), this community celebrated its first Divine Liturgy in its new building. Archbishop Job visited and renamed the community Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Mission.
In 2019, Fr Andrew Jaye assumed pastoral duties of this growing community, and by May 19th, 2024, Archbishop Daniel of Chicago elevated Holy Myrrhbearers to full parish status. In August of 2024, Fr Peter Ries assumed pastoral duties of Holy Myrrhbearers upon Fr Andrew’s retirement. He currently serves as rector of this beautiful and thriving community.
The Orthodox Church in America is the autocephalous (meaning totally self-governing) Orthodox Christian church of all North America, having been granted this independence by the Patriarchate of Moscow in 1970. Our church is led and governed by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the OCA, which itself is chaired by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), Archbishop of Washington D.C. and Metropolitan of all America and Canada.
There are 14 Diocese of the OCA, overseeing the geographic area of all North America. Holy Myrrhbearers belongs to the OCA’s Diocese of the Midwest, which is overseen by His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel of Chicago.
Rev. Father Peter Ries is the rector of Holy Myrrhbearers Parish, serving as its pastoral and administrative leader. Born in Kentucky and raised primarily in Cleveland, Ohio, Fr Peter attended and graduated from Cleveland State University in 2019. Fr Peter is a graduate of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, completing his Master of Divinity program in May of 2024. Before the priesthood, Fr Peter led a career in mental health case management, serving individuals with severe mental health diagnoses. He has been rector of Holy Myrrhbearers since August of 2024. Fr Peter enjoys antiquing with his wife, Matushka Sophie, as well as going to museums, visiting national parks, and possessing knowledge of obscure and useless trivia.
Rev. Protodeacon Dana Bichler is a longstanding servant of the Holy Myrrhbearers community, having come to the parish in 2011 with his wife, Matushka Sharon and daughter Elisa. Fr. Dana has been serving as the parish’s deacon since 2018. He was born and raised in St. Cloud, attended St. Cloud State University and graduated from theUniversity of Minnesota. Fr. Dana completed his diaconal studies through the St. Macrina Orthodox Institute, and was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in 2018 by His Eminence Archbishop Paul of blessed memory. In 2023 in recognition of his service to the parish community Fr. Dana was awarded the double orarion and April 2024 he was elevated to the rank of Protodeacon by His Eminence Daniel Archbishop of Chicago and the Midwest
Parishioners
Years in St. Cloud
Orthodox Communities in the Diocese of the Midwest
Built in 1929, it had previously belonged to Grace United Methodist church. Since purchasing this property in 2001, the church has been slowly converted into a uniquely Orthodox worship space.
An Orthodox church is traditionally made up of three main parts – the sanctuary, the nave, and the narthex. Within the sanctuary, separated by a wall called the iconostasis, stands the altar table. This is where the clergy lead the Faithful in worship, and it is where the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist is performed. The nave is where the Faithful stand during services, where Holy Scripture is read, and where the Priest delivers the sermon. The narthex (or “vestibule”) is the area connecting the nave to the outside world. It is the entryway as you enter the building, and it is where you can find access to our Parish Hall, as well as a kiosk with available handouts and introductory resources.
As mentioned, the sanctuary is separated from the nave by the iconostasis, or “icon screen”. The doors in the middle of the iconostasis are known as the Royal Doors, through which the priest enters and exits the sanctuary. Altar servers and deacons enter and exit through the side doors. Our church also includes a separate oblation room, where the Proskomedia, or preparation of the bread and wine used for Eucharist, takes place prior to the Liturgy.
Who followed Christ throughout His ministry, bearing witness to His healing and listening to His words?
Who refused to abandon Him during his Passion and life-saving death, standing instead at the foot of the Cross?
And who were the first to learn of Christ’s Resurrection, at the entrance to the empty tomb?
The Holy Myrrhbearers of God are those women who did all of this, who bore witness to all of this. Traditionally, these women are Mary the Theotokos, Mary Magdalene, Mary (wife of Cleopas), Joanna, Salome, Susanna, and the sisters Martha and Mary. We look to these saints as prime examples of service, humility, and dedication to God. This parish is blessed to have these Myrrhbearers, named such because of the myrrh that they brought to Christ’s tomb, watching over our community and protecting us.
Our Patronal Feast Day is celebrated on the Third Sunday following Pascha, acknowledging the strong connection that these saints maintain with the Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection of our Lord.
"We’re saved so we can serve, and there’s a unique role only you can play in changing lives for the better."
Surgeon
"We can do more, be more, and endure more when we're walking through life together."
Policeman
"We have the opportunity to partner with God in building his Kingdom by sharing his love with our neighbors."
Manager
