The celebration of our Holy Father Mardarije in the Monastery of Libertyville this year was again marked by gathering in prayer and praise of the Lord and the ascetic, who built this monastery complex with the famous motto – “Dying of hunger he builds the church”, and served in it, and in which he is still present with his holy relics today.
The Divine Hierarchical Liturgy in the Monastery of St. Sava was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan of New Gracanica and the Midwestern America, Longin, with the concelebration of his vicar, bishop Serafim of Kostajnica, Archimandrite Sergije (Puskar), the abbot of the New Gracanica Monastery, and clergy from several dioceses of our Church.
The joy in the church was further enhanced by the singing of Protodeacon Jovan Aničić and Priest Dragan Arsić, professors at the Faculty of Theology, as well as the students themselves. After the Holy Liturgy, metropolitan Longin prayed before the incorrupt relics of St. Mardarije, and after that the slava kolac was blessed.
Bishop Serafim delivered an inspired sermon, congratulating everyone with feast day and spoke about the Gospel reading. Metropolitan Longin later delivered a heartfelt sermon on the importance of the mission and life of St. Mardarije of Ljesanj-Libertyville and All-America.
The holy hierarchical Liturgy was attended by the monastics and a multitude of believers from around the nation who honor this holy Serbian and All-American saint of God. This year we also had the opportunity to host children from the Saint Sava School of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Redwood.
The gathering ended with the agape meal at the New Gracanica monastery, and the children recited the prayers before and after lunch.
