DIASPORA

BELOVED SERBIAN CLERIC BURIED IN CHICAGO: Monk Filotej went to the truth of God whom he served his whole life (PHOTO)

by Antonije Kovačević3. October 2025.3. October 2025.

Today at the New Gračanica Monastery, with the concelebration of Metropolitan Longin of Chicago, Bishop Serafim of Kostajnica, abbots and priests of Serbian monasteries and churches from Chicago, the surrounding area, and all of America, a memorial hierarchical liturgy was served for the beloved Orthodox cleric among the people in these parts, Protosyncellus Filotej, born as Radoslav Petrović.

After the liturgy, a funeral service was held, and Monk Filotej was buried in the monastery cemetery where he had spent a good part of his life.

Church dignitaries who knew him, as well as ordinary people who gathered to pay their last respects, spoke today with chosen words about him.

FAREWELL TO THE CLERIC: The liturgy for Protosyncellus Filotej served by the metropolitan and the bishop

Filotej was born on May 23, 1941, to father Radašin and mother Mileva Petrović, from a devout family in the village of Loćika near Rekovac, Serbia. As a young man, he left the world and took monastic vows at the Jošanica Monastery, where he began his life’s struggle in prayer, obedience, and humility.

He received his monastic name after his protector, Saint Philotheus of Athos.

With the blessing of the late Bishop Sava (Vuković), Father Filotej came to America, where he for some time served as a parish priest in a church in Arizona, as well as in Racine, Wisconsin.

At last, he found his monastic home in the New Gračanica Monastery, where he was a brother for many years until his repose. He personally participated in the uncovering of the relics of Saint Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović at the Saint Sava Monastery in Libertyville.

BELOVED AMONG BOTH YOUNG AND OLD: Father Filotej

Even in the diaspora, he remained a faithful witness of the monastic vow and the Gospel of Christ, serving God and people with simplicity and devotion.

His earthly life ended on September 28, 2025, and his soul went into the embrace of the Lord whom he faithfully served since his youth.

May God grant him the Heavenly Kingdom and eternal rest.

Memory eternal, dear father!