Former frat house has become the nation’s first residence for Orthodox Christian students

Filed under: Orthodox Christianity— Jacobse @ 4:24 pm
Old party pad at U. of I. is now focused on faith

By Manya A. Brachear
Tribune staff reporter

August 20, 2004

CHAMPAIGN – Waving a silver cross dipped in holy water and entwined with basil branches and a horsehair brush, a Greek Orthodox priest on Friday will convert a fraternity’s former party house into the nation’s first residence hall for Orthodox Christian college students.

The blessing of the home, formerly known as “The Palace” among the University of Illinois’ sororities and fraternities, will allow Orthodox students raised in different ethnic traditions to live and worship as one, a symbol of the unity that some Orthodox churches in North America have been trying to achieve for years.

Students who have signed up to live in the house–eight so far–include Greek, Indian and Egyptian Orthodox.

“It’s a model of what’s to come,” said Rev. George Pyle, the Greek Orthodox priest who oversees the university’s Orthodox Christian Fellowship. “The hymns might sound different, but the message is the same.”

Way to go guys.. .