On January 16, a significant meeting of the Northern and Southern Chicago Deaneries took place at St. Nikola Serbian Orthodox Church in Lyons, IL. Present at the meeting were His Eminence Metropolitan Longin and His Grace Bishop Serafim.
The meeting commenced with a prayer and opening remarks by Metropolitan Longin, who expressed gratitude to God for the faithful, clergy, and blessings upon the Metropolitanate. He highlighted the recent appointment of the vicar, Bishop Serafim, as a profound blessing for the Church.
At the Metropolitan’s request, the meeting included a discussion about St. Mardarije Day, which will be celebrated on July 19, 2025. The legacy of Saint Mardarije was a central focus, as this year marks an important milestone in the history of the Saint Sava Monastery. Between 1923 and 1926, St. Mardarije worked tirelessly to bring the vision of the monastery church to fruition, culminating in its consecration on Labor Day, September 6, 1926.
To honor this legacy, the Metropolitanate has planned several initiatives, including the publication of a Monograph to be prepared by Fr. Mile Subotić, as well as a fall conference in Chicago. This conference will invite scholars and historians to explore St. Mardarije’s contributions, alongside the historical and social development of the Serbian Orthodox community.
Another significant agenda item was the report by Bishop Serafim regarding the renovation of the Saint Sava Monastery building. He noted that the Renovation Committee has been meeting weekly over the past year, with architectural drawings expected to be completed by the end of this month. These will be submitted to the Village of Libertyville for permits. Additionally, the selection process for general contractors is nearing completion.
This year also marks 50 years since Metropolitan Longin’s monastic tonsure (monašenje) and ordination to the priesthood, a milestone deserving appropriate attention and celebration. Plans for honoring this anniversary were discussed during the meeting.
The meeting also addressed various administrative and pastoral matters, including effective parish administration, the scheduling of Great Lent services, and the importance of leading with kindness and by example.
The meeting concluded with a heartfelt thanks to Fr. Nemanja Tešić and the faithful community of St. Nikola Serbian Orthodox Church for their warm hospitality. St. Nikola recently relocated from Brookfield to its new facilities in Lyons, IL. The fully renovated church and its surrounding facilities now serve as a hub for various ministries, including language and cultural studies for children and adults, sports activities, and media outreach through radio, TV, and the internet. The parish is also nearing completion of its fresco project within the church.
May God continue to bless all the faithful and clergy in their work for His glory!
