With faith in the Risen Christ and the hope of eternal life, we inform the faithful that the servant of God
Hieromonk FILOTEJ
(in the world, Radosav Petrović)
has fallen asleep in the Lord.
Fr. Filotej was born on May 23, 1941, to Radašin and Mileva Petrović, in the pious Orthodox family of the village of Loćika near Rekovac, Serbia. As a young man, he left the world and entered monastic life at the Monastery of Jošanica, where he began his lifelong path of prayer, obedience, and humility. He received the name Filotej after his heavenly patron, St. Philotheus of Athos.
By the blessing of the late Bishop Sava (Vuković), Fr. Filotej came to America, where he served for a time as a parish priest in Arizona and in Racine, Wisconsin. In the end, he found his true spiritual home at the New Gračanica Monastery, where he lived for many years as a faithful monk until his repose. He personally took part in the uncovering of the relics of St. Nikolaj Velimirović at St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville. Even in the diaspora, he remained a faithful witness of the monastic vow and of Christ’s Gospel, serving God and people with simplicity and zeal.
He came from a devout family: his sister Draginja and his brothers Milan, Dimitrije, Danilo, Milovan, and Ilija all reposed in the Lord before him.
His earthly life came to a close on September 28, 2025, and his soul departed into the embrace of the Lord whom he faithfully served from his youth.
A Hierarchical Memorial Divine Liturgy will be served in his memory on Thursday, October 2, at 9:00 AM at New Gračanica Monastery. The Monastic Funeral Service and burial will follow at 11:00 AM.
May God grant him the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal rest.
✝️ Memory eternal, dear Father!