Youth Choir to Highlight Centennial Celebration in Libertyville

St. Sava Monastery, Libertyville, IL [CREDIT: Flickr]

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern America is preparing for a historic and spiritually uplifting celebration on Saturday, July 19, 2025, marking the 100th Anniversary of St. Sava Monastery. This year’s St. Mardarije Day will feature not only the beloved procession and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, but also a diocesan youth choir performance, inviting young faithful to take an active role in commemorating this milestone.

The day begins at 6:00 AM with a solemn procession from New Gracanica Monastery in Third Lake, IL, to St. Sava Monastery, followed by a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 9:30 AM in the outdoor pavilion. The youth choir performance will take place during the special program at 11:30 AM, a segment that also includes recognition of seminary graduates, presentations on the St. Mardarije Spiritual & Cultural Center Renovation Project, and guided tours of the historic monastery building.

The Youth Department has called on young singers from parishes across the diocese to unite their voices in offering two cherished hymns: “Vera Večna, Vera Slavna” and “Veseli se, Srpski Rode.” According to Protodeacon Dr. Jovan Anicic, Director of Youth Ministry, this musical offering will be a joyful expression of faith and a testament to the living legacy of St. Mardarije.

“This is more than just a performance—it’s an opportunity for our youth to be part of history and to express the timeless beauty of our Orthodox tradition through song,” said Protodeacon Jovan. “Their presence will be a blessing for everyone gathered.”

The celebration not only honors the past but actively supports the future. Proceeds from the event will benefit the renovation of the original St. Sava Monastery building, transforming it into the new St. Mardarije Spiritual & Cultural Center—a dynamic space dedicated to Orthodox education, culture, and community life.

Clergy, parents, and youth leaders are encouraged to support this diocesan effort by spreading the word and preparing young people to participate. This centennial celebration is expected to draw hundreds of faithful from across North America, uniting generations in worship, tradition, and renewal.

For more information about the youth choir or to get involved, please contact the Diocesan Youth Ministry.

Let us gather in prayer, joy, and unity to honor a century of spiritual legacy and to celebrate the future of Orthodox life in America.

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