Dear Brothers & Sisters of our Diocese,
As our lives begin to return to normalcy, we greet you from our St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville—where we always hold you in a spiritual embrace of faith, hope, and love.
It is by the prayers of our dear and saintly intercessor, St. Mardarije of Libertyville, before whose incorrupt relics so many molebans and akathists are prayed, that the Lord in His love and mercy has made it possible for us to gather on our great Diocesan feast — the Transfer of the Holy and Incorrupt Relics of Saint Mardarije, on Saturday, July 17th of this year.
Indeed, since at each Divine Liturgy we remember and commemorate all of the events of our Lord’s life which encompass the economy of our salvation—“the Cross, the tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into heaven,” it is our sincere hope, dear brothers and sisters, that you will join us for St. Mardarije’s Day, so that together we may celebrate these great mysteries, whose feast days we were compelled to spend in isolation and social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
For those unable to attend, we invite you to join us virtually and humbly ask for your continued support and help by sending a donation that will be earmarked toward the resumption of construction of our Monastery building in Libertyville, which we hope to begin in the shortest possible time.
With the blessing of God,
+ L O N G I N
Bishop of New Gracanica and Midwestern America
