NEW YORK: 15 December 2023
Representatives of the Russian Church Abroad participate in the celebration of St Mardarije of Libertyville

On Tuesday, 12 December, 2023, the feast day of St Mardarije of Libertyville, His Grace Bishop Longin of Novo-Gracanica and Midwest America officiated at Divine Liturgy at St Savva Monastery Cathedral near Chicago. His Grace was joined by His Grace Bishop Teodosije of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metochia and clergymen of the local diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Also participating in the service were representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia: Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops and Secretary of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and Priest Leonty Naidzions and Priest Nikolai Lochmatov of the Diocese of Mid-America.

Liturgical hymns were sung by students of Serbian church schools in Chicago and Milwaukee.

At the end of the service, a glorification was performed before the reliquary with the incorrupt relics of Saint Mardarije. Here the prayer to the saint was read in Church Slavonic by Bishop Theodosije, and in English by Fr Serafim.

After the dismissal, Bishop Longin, greeting Bishop Theodosije and thel of clergy, addressed everyone with words of edification.

A luncheon was then offered at the nearby Novo-Gracanica Monastery, during which students from Serbian church schools gave a concert.