In addition to stunning photography and individual church histories based on personal interviews of scores of parishioners and clergy, ECCLESIA also features essays by noted scholars and authors on topics such as fundamental Orthodox beliefs, church architecture and tradition, and the meaning of icons and symbols featured throughout this coffee-table book.

ECCLESIA is Panos Fiorentinos' photographic journey through the entire Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago encompassing six states—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin—containing 59 churches.

Through more than 400 of his richly-colored photographs, Fiorentinos captivates the reader with the unique beauty and rich tradition of the Greek Orthodox Church as developed in these communities over the course of more than 100 years.

Based on personal interviews with dozens of priests and parishioners, the establishment and growth of these churches are documented for the first time in one place. In addition to showcasing each of these churches through photographs and text, ECCLESIA provides context through scholarly essays on the Greek Orthodox Church's architecture, fundamental beliefs and history, as well as the meaning of its icons and symbols.

ECCLESIA also lends historical perspective about the Greeks who immigrated to the Midwest and founded most of these churches by recounting the establishment of the Greek American communities in Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis.

About the Author

Panos Fiorentinos was born in San Francisco, California, in 1963. As a child he loved sketching and taking things apart and reassembling them, which led him to consider a career in architecture. At San Francisco Community College, he studied architecture and art, honing his sketching and design skills, and ultimately settling into a field that fascinated him since he was young. He specialized in architectural model making, and has worked in this profession for the past 17 years. His interest in photography started as a necessity in order to show his models to potential clients. For the last three years, he has balanced producing this book with continuing to build architectural models. He lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife, Irene.