Green-Yellow 'Submarine on Wheels' Turns Heads in Irving Park as Local Monk Pedals Through Neighborhood

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Irving Park · October 25, 2025

A unique sight is turning heads on Irving Park streets this month as Father Ephraim, a Greek Orthodox monk serving at Saints Athanasios and John Greek Orthodox Church, navigates the neighborhood in what looks like a giant green-and-yellow popsicle on wheels. His unconventional transportation choice—a pedal-powered velomobile imported from Romania—has become a conversation starter throughout the community.

Father Ephraim, who moved to Chicago's Northwest Side after spending five years at a remote religious commune in Alaska, chose the human-powered vehicle as a way to maintain physical and spiritual health. The MIT-educated priest has been spotted running errands and visiting parishioners in the sleek carbon-fiber shell that sits just above fire hydrant height. "You can't imagine the expressions on people's face when they see this because it's such an outlandish thing to see on the roads," Father Ephraim shared, noting children's reactions are "perhaps the most precious."

Residents can expect to continue spotting this unique neighborhood character in the coming months as Father Ephraim has proven the velomobile is surprisingly practical—he's even traveled as far as Wisconsin and back. If you spot the unusual vehicle with eyes peering from behind a narrow plexiglass windshield, offer a friendly wave. The humble monk welcomes conversations about his transportation choice when approached with genuine curiosity.

Sources:
1. https://www.wbez.org/stories/velomobile-driver-is-greek-orthodox-monk-father-ephraim/0213d773-bee9-4b92-bcea-2870a68bc637
2. https://greekreporter.com/2024/10/04/greek-orthodox-priest-chicago-velomobile/
3. https://chicago.suntimes.com/transportation/2024/04/05/velomobile-father-ephraim-greek-orthodox-monk-chicago-streets