Towards the Fortieth Anniversary: History and the Path Toward Accreditation of the St. Sava School of Theology

by Rev. Dr. Mile Subotic | Libertyville, IL

As it nears its 40th anniversary, the Saint Sava School of Theology in Libertyville, Illinois, stands as a landmark institution in the life of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North America. Established in 1986, it remains the only higher theological school of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Western Hemisphere, having educated nearly 200 students for service to the Church and community. Now, with renewed energy and vision, the School moves toward full academic accreditation and institutional growth.

Deep Roots and Early Efforts in America

The mission of the Saint Sava School is encapsulated in the acronym SHIP—Spiritual, Human, Intellectual, and Pastoral—a holistic approach that embodies its commitment to forming clergy and lay leaders with wisdom, compassion, and Orthodox identity. While formally established in 1986, the School’s foundations lie in a rich history of theological education that spans centuries.

This journey began with the Spiritual Collegium founded in Petrovaradin in 1741 and found resonance across generations of Serbs. In the 20th century, the vision for a local theological school in America took shape under Bishop Mardarije Uskoković in the 1930s. His dream of seminary education in the United States faced significant setbacks due to economic difficulties and global turmoil. However, by 1945, a short-lived theological school did operate at the Saint Sava Monastery in Libertyville, taught by the esteemed Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović and overseen by Bishop Dionisije. Although brief, this effort established a spiritual and pedagogical legacy that would eventually lead to the creation of today’s Saint Sava School of Theology.

A Faculty Becomes a Full Institution

By the 1970s and '80s, growing calls from Church leadership and Serbian-American communities made it clear: North America needed a permanent institution for theological training. That call was answered in 1986 with the opening of a theological department in Libertyville under the leadership of Bishop Sava Vuković and Metropolitan Christopher Kovacevich. In 1988, the department became an autonomous theological faculty, recognized by the Serbian Orthodox Church and granted authorization by the State of Illinois.

Over the decades, the School has produced close to 200 graduates, many of whom have continued to serve in parish ministry, diocesan administration, education, and missionary work across North America, Europe, and their homeland. Some have pursued advanced academic studies and returned as faculty members, ensuring a living continuity between past and present.

A key organizational development in recent years has been the establishment of a Board of Trustees, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Longin Krčo. This body provides both strategic leadership and ecclesiastical oversight, guiding the School’s growth in accordance with Orthodox tradition and modern educational standards.

A Role in Unity and Cultural Preservation

Beyond academics, the Saint Sava School of Theology has played a quiet but vital role in fostering unity within the Serbian Orthodox Church, particularly in the aftermath of the 1963 ecclesiastical split. Graduates of the School have served in both formerly divided church bodies, promoting reconciliation through their common theological and pastoral formation.

While initially envisioned for American-born students, the School has largely drawn candidates from Serbia and the Balkans. This has proven providential—graduates have preserved the Serbian language, sacred chant, and liturgical customs in diaspora parishes, contributing to the cultural and religious continuity of the Serbian people abroad.

From 1988 to 1996, the School was affiliated with the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, which allowed Serbian faculty and students to interact with wider theological circles and academic networks in the United States.

Present Challenges, Future Promise

In 2015, due to the condition of its original building, the School was temporarily relocated to the New Gracanica Monastery in Third Lake, Illinois. Despite logistical challenges, the School has continued its mission undeterred—supported by the dedication of clergy, faculty, and a faithful community.

Especially noteworthy is the endowment fund established by the late benefactor Dragomir Nikolić, which has provided crucial financial stability. Additional support has come from the Vlastimir and Draginja Jocic Scholarship Fund and numerous Serbian-American laypeople devoted to the School’s mission. Their generosity has sustained theological education and kept tuition affordable for many students.

More recently, the institution came under the direct jurisdiction of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church. With the personal involvement of His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, efforts are now underway to reaccredit the faculty and enhance its academic and spiritual offerings in line with international standards.

In a historic step forward, the Saint Sava School of Theology is now actively engaged in the accreditation process with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The School has been accepted into the initial stages of candidacy and expects to receive temporary accreditation by Summer 2025. This status will validate the School's academic programs and expand opportunities for collaboration, enrollment, and recognition throughout the U.S. and beyond.

A Theological Ship Setting Sail

As it approaches its 40th year, the Saint Sva School of Theology remains faithful to its founding purpose: to form generations of priests, deacons, educators, and faithful laypeople in the Orthodox tradition. Guided by its SHIP model—Spiritual, Human, Intellectual, and Pastoral—the School not only teaches theology but embodies the very pastoral care and mission it aims to instill.

From its historic campus in Libertyville to its temporary home at New Gracanica, and soon perhaps a renewed and fully accredited future, the School stands as a symbol of faith in motion—nurtured by sacrifice, led by vision, and anchored in the Orthodox Christian Gospel.

Its journey is far from over. With accreditation on the horizon and new generations on the way, the Saint Sava School of Theology sails forward—toward its fortieth year and beyond—carrying with it the hopes, prayers, and spiritual legacy of Serbian Orthodoxy in America.