New academic year begins at St. Sava's

On Monday, September 7, Labor Day, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the New Gračanica Monastery in Third Lake, Illinois. During the service, the Invocation of the Holy Spirit was served for the beginning of the 2026/27 academic year at Saint Sava Saint Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Theological School.

​ Concelebrating with His Eminence Metropolitan Longin, President of the Board of Trustees, were the Very Rev. Dr. Aleksandar Novaković, Dean; the Very Rev. Dr. Mile Subotić, Provost; Archimandrite Dr. Sergije Puškar, Dean of Students; the Very Rev. Dr. Predrag Samardžić, Professor; and alumni who are now serving as priests and deacons. The student choir was led by Protodeacon Dr. Jovan Anicic, professor.

​ Metropolitan Longin delivered a fitting homily to the altar servers, the choir, and the assembled faithful. In his address, he emphasized the vital importance of theological education alongside an active, living Christian faith. His Eminence expressed his prayerful hope that the students will become good shepherds and servants of the Church of Christ, equipped with both deep piety and formal academic formation.

​ Following the liturgy, a lunch was served in the main monastery hall, launching an all-day picnic. The Monastery of the Most Holy Mother of God in Third Lake continues to serve as the home of the seminary, a spiritual heartland for Serbian Americans, and a joyful gathering place for the faithful.

​May everyone have a happy and blessed start to the new academic year!

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