Saturday, May 30, 2015

Serbian Patriarchate canonizes two new American Saints: Sebastian and Mardarije

Two new Serbian-American Saints: Sebastian of Jackson (+1940) and Mardarije of Libertyville (+1935) (source)
  
On May 29, 2015, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Patriarchate of Serbia glorified two new Serbian Saints who spread the faith in Christ in America:

"St. Sebastian Dabovich (1863-1940) has the distinction of being the first person born in the United States of America to be ordained as an Orthodox priest, and also the first native-born American to be tonsured as an Orthodox monk. His greatest distinction, however, lies in the tremendous apostolic, pastoral, and literary work that he accomplished during the forty-eight years of his priestly ministry... St. Nicholai (Velimirovich) of Zhicha, Serbia, who buried Fr. Sebastian at the Zhicha Monastery when the latter reposed there in 1940, called him “a viceless man” and fittingly designated him “the greatest Serbian missionary of modern times.” (for a fuller life of St. Sebastian, see here) His feast has been designated as November 30th.
  
Sts. Mardarije and Sebastian of North America (source)
  
St. Mardarije Uskokovic (1889-1935) was the first Serbian Bishop of North America, and founded the famous Monastery of St. Sava in Libertyville, one of the center-pieces of Serbian Orthodoxy in America. His feast has been designated as December 12th. (see here for more info)
  
St. Mardarije of Libertyville with St. Sava of Serbia, depicted as founders of the Monastery, standing before Christ and the Theotokos (source)
  
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!

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