"I think your book is terrific!" - George Veras, President-CEO, Veras Communications, Inc.

"A masterpiece that should be in every Orthodox living room." - Metropolitan IAKOVOS of Chicago.

"I was delighted to receive your marvelous book, ECCLESIA, GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCHES of the CHICAGO METROPOLIS. As regards to the text, the photographs, and the general presentation of the book, you have achieved a remarkably high standard. Indeed, your work constitutes a model of the way in which a study of this kind should be produced. My warmest congratulations!" - Bishop Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia

"Your book is beautiful, so well-done- and one that's never before published in such an easy to read and understandable manner...There is obviously such an enormous amount of time, effort and money devoted to producing such a masterpiece, and you are to be commended for undertaking such a task..." - Georgia Photopulos, Greek Star columnist, and author ' Of Tears and Triumphs, Chicago, IL".

"...I read through some of the text and took my time going through the photos. The book tells an important story of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Midwest, one that could be lost if not documented and archived in photos...Your photo record and historical information will prove extremely valuable to those who wish to tell the story of Orthodoxy in Chicago.!" - Anton C. Vrame, Ph. D., Director, Dept. of Religious Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, New York, NY"

"I believe this book to be an amazing reminder of the love of God through His Holy Church. I grew up in the Metropolis of Chicago, and upon reading this incredible work of Panos Fiorentinos, I never realized the remarkable growth and strong presence the Church has had for so many years. More importantly, because of Panos' tiresome dedication towards the completion of this very special project, it brings to light the fruits of all those labored in the vineyard of the Lord, both clergy and laity, in order to build such beautiful places of worship, particularly our beloved immigrant ancestors who came to this country with nothing but the faith they carried in their hearts for a better life. What a message to us, who have everything, that the Church must be our priority. This book is an incredible resource and testimony of faith, and as one born and raised in Chicago, I will always cherish it with profound respect and resounding sense of humility for the past and great hope for the future.!" - Rev. Fr. Elias G. Villis, Church of Our Savior, Rye, NY

"There is a richness to this book that reflects the richness of the Orthodox faith and its expression in the houses of workship... It is easy to read and a delight to the eye. It is a compendium of the Greek Orthodox tradition and worship life in the middle United States. I heartily recommend it to all who wish to learn about these treasures of faith and Greek ethnic identity in our communities." - Father George A. Lane, Society of Jesus, President Loyola Press, Chicago, IL

...I was surprised that such a book existed because I had not heard of such a book before. I bought the book to give to a friend for Christmas, but when it arrived at my house I enjoyed it so much that I kept it myself! I was intrigued by the stories of each parish and how they came to be and the struggles that many of them face to survive. But what struck me the most was how beautiful the photographs were and how they reminded me of the beauty of our liturgy and how I value being an Orthodox Christian. I highly recommend the book to all Orthodox Christians. I wish there was a similar book for the Denver Metropolis and maybe in time, Panos will photograph one. It is truly a gem.!" - Van Argyrakis, Attorney, Omaha, NE

"Fiorentinos aptly eases his readers into his book through a series of well thought out introductory chapters beginning with "The Immigrant's Story" (how the Greek Orthodox came to the American Midwest). The following four chapters, however are most crucial to the volume, are the especially informative: "Introduction to the Orthodox Faith," (consisting of a historical sketch, followed by brief sections on Orthodox belief, worship, ritual, hydrology and architecture), "Iconography in the Orthodox Church," "Parish names" (and their meanings), and Church Symbolism. Throughout ECCLESIA, the reader is bestowed with many different styles of Eastern Orthodox iconography as seen in the numerous churches illustrated. Icononstasis, ceilings, walls and stained glass all yield a rich array of art models ranging from Byzantine and strict traditional to Western European and modern, ECCLESIA is thus a text which is not only aesthetically and intellectually pleasing but also prompts questions as to the growth of Orthodox faith, ritual and art in the United States and external/internal influences which have affected it's evolution." communities." - Dr. Steven Georgiou, Ph.D., Art and Religion, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA