St. Sava Monastery to Be Renewed as Spiritual & Cultural Hub

[Credit: newgracanica.org]

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Plans to restore and transform the historic St. Sava Monastery campus was recently presented at an Executive Board meeting of Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral (HRSOC). The initiative, led by His Grace Bishop Serafim and Mr. Alex Lazich on behalf of the Steering Committee—and blessed by His Eminence Metropolitan Longin—seeks to renew the sacred site as the St. Mardarije Spiritual & Cultural Center.

At the heart of the project is the full renovation of the monastery’s original camp building, first established in the 1940s. Once a bustling center for the beloved St. Sava Camp, the facility has remained closed since 2015 due to safety concerns. The new plan not only revives the camp but expands its mission with year-round programming.

Key features of the center will include:

• A diocesan bookstore, library, and administrative offices
• Meeting spaces for clergy and laity
• A large dining hall with a commercial kitchen
• Updated lodging facilities for youth, complete with modern safety and ADA accessibility standards
• In addition to hosting youth camps for ages 6–18, the center will support iconography and liturgical music workshops, clergy retreats, and diocesan events, ensuring that St. Sava Monastery continues to serve as a spiritual and cultural beacon for generations to come.

The $6 million campaign includes:

• $5.5M for construction and upgrades
• $400K for furnishings and equipment
• $100K annually for ongoing operations

Supporters are invited to contribute through Legacy Brick Sponsorships, naming opportunities, or open donations.

This project pays tribute to the visionary legacy of Saint Nikolaj Velimirović and Saint Mardarije, affirming St. Sava Monastery’s role as a vital sanctuary of Serbian Orthodox faith and identity in North America.

You can find more information, or donate to the project, by visiting newgracanica.org

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