From September 17 through September 21, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop of New Gračanica and Metropolitan of Midwestern America Longin made a pastoral visit to several communities of our Diocese, taking part in significant services, blessings, and gatherings with clergy and faithful.

The visit began in Indianapolis, Indiana, at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, where His Eminence blessed the cross and bells for the new church building. Together with parish priest Very Rev. Dragan Petrovic, Orthodox clergy from the greater Indianapolis area, and many faithful, Metropolitan Longin offered petitions for God’s help and mercy as the parish advances to another important stage in the construction of its new church.

The occasion was also documented by a local television station, marking an important moment in the life and continued growth of the St. Nicholas SOC parish community.

Watch the television report here.

Addressing the faithful, His Eminence emphasized that the Orthodox Christian faith must be lived and practiced:

“We should always remember that Orthodoxy is not a faith of theory but rather a living faith. We must practice it for it to be alive! It is a living faith in a living God! All of us love our culture, customs, and anything to do with history. But Holy Tradition and the teaching of the Church are clear: only strong faith in God and life according to that faith can save us! I pray that you grow in everything that is good, that we all be worthy of our ancestors, that our children continue to practice our faith, keep their name, and protect their Church. Thank you and God bless you!”

Following the warm hospitality of the faithful of St. Nicholas, His Eminence continued his pastoral journey to the Holy Skeet of St. Michael and All Heavenly Hosts in Weatherby, Missouri.

On Saturday, September 19, Metropolitan Longin presided at the blessing of the grounds for the new church and the erection of the Holy Cross. Together with Fr. Alexii and visiting clergy, His Eminence prayed that the Lord would bless the beginning of this important work and that the Holy Cross would stand as a sign of protection, faith, and hope for the growing monastic community.

Speaking to the clergy and faithful gathered for this joyful occasion, Metropolitan Longin said:

“We have another cause for joy. We blessed a beautiful cross, and it is going to be erected on the spot where a new church is being built. I congratulate you on the consecration of the cross for the new church and pray to God that you complete this blessed project on time. The Cross is a powerful symbol! In the prayer we read for the Cross, it is said that ‘it is the beauty of the Church, the might of kings, the confirmation of the faithful, the praise of the Apostles, and the wounding of demons!’ When we cross ourselves, the demons flee and go away. This is why we have crosses on the cupolas of our churches, to drive them away and to proclaim the truth: this building belongs to Christ.”

A large number of Orthodox faithful joined the celebration, reflecting the continued growth of both the community surrounding the Skete and its monastic life. His Eminence also toured the monastery property, including its library, vineyard, and winery.

From Weatherby, Metropolitan Longin traveled to the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Lenexa, Kansas, one of the historic Serbian Orthodox communities in the Kansas City area.

On Sunday, September 20, His Eminence celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. George Church. In his words to the faithful, Metropolitan Longin spoke about the central place of the Divine Liturgy in the life of every Orthodox Christian:

“Every Orthodox service is beautiful, dear brothers and sisters, especially our Holy Liturgy. There is no other place on this earth where a man can be closer to God, encounter God, touch and taste God, like at the Divine Liturgy.This is why it is the heart of the Church, the essence of church life and divine services, and thus the essence of Christian life. This is why we go to church every Sunday, to be with God, to attend the Assembly at which God is present. It is a feast, it is a wedding celebration, it is communion with God, it is an ineffable, indescribable mystery wherein heaven and earth meet, wherein created and uncreated unite. Uncreated God and created man meet and become one in the most profound depths of the human heart.”

The pastoral visit concluded on Monday, September 21, the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy once again at St. George Church.

Following the service and fellowship with the clergy and faithful, His Eminence departed Kansas and returned to Chicago, concluding several days of prayer, pastoral encouragement, and fellowship throughout the Diocese.

Prepared by Deacon Miroslav Sretenovic.