Monday, February 20, 2023, St. Sava Monastery, Libertyville, Illinois
Father Vidoslav gave a sermon after the gospel reading reminding everyone that our Risen Lord, whom Fr. +Slobodan served for so long, is the Resurrection and the Life and that this separation is not forever, as Christ will come again to raise the dead.
Fr. Vido thanked Fr. +Slobodan for everything he had done for the Saratoga parish, especially the building of the church, and conveyed the many condolences from the Saratoga parishioners, Kolo sisters and board members to Protinica Djuka and Predrag, and his extended family. Among them Fathers older brother V. Rev. Protopresbyter Jovan Jović.
His Grace Bishop Maxim, who arrived for the funeral from Los Angeles, CA, attended prayerfully the Divine Liturgy. After the Liturgy, His Grace Bp. Maxim, who was the Diocesan Bishop of Father Slobodan for more than 15 years, led the Funeral service together with six priests: Fr. Jovan Todorovic, retired; Fr. Nedeljko Ned Lunich, retired; Fr. Dragan Petrovic, Fr. Marko Matic from Merillville; Fr. Nikolaj Kostur from Chicago and Fr. Vidoslav Vujasin, Saratoga, CA.
His Grace Bishop Maxim gave a beautiful sermon about Fr. Slobodan’s life and his serving as a faithful witness and loving servant of our Lord Jesus Christ and how it is the most essential part of the priesthood to lead the faithful to Christ with much love and kindness, what Father +Slobodan truthfully did during his 45 years of service in Europe and Northern America.
Concluding the sermon of His Grace, the family of Prota and all in attendance gave Fr. Slobodan the last kiss. The procession started to the place where he was buried, on the Monastery cemetery next to the church in Libertyville.
At the monastery hall of New Gracanica the family prepared a mercy meal in memory of Fr. +Slobodan.
Besides Fr. Vido, the Saratoga parish was represented by Chris Milosovich, Board President, Ted Miljevich, and Dragoslav Grbovich, Board members.
Ted Miljevich spoke on behalf of the First Serbian Benevolent Society in San Francisco, California, whose member Fr. +Slobodan was, saying that he was always an active, supportive member of the Society and that he will be missed very much.
Chris Milosovich, on behalf of the board and church school congregation, shared beautiful memories about Father and about the many struggles along the church building process they had and thanked him visibly moved and with tears in eyes for his service in Saratoga and that he feels as if he had lost a brother.
Fr. Jovan Jovic shared his deep sadness and feelings about losing his beloved brother which was very moving and tearful. He concluded the daca meal by thanking His Grace Bp. Maxim dearly for his efforts to come all the way from Los Angeles to lead the funeral service. He thanked all who helped with the Funeral arrangements in Indianapolis, Libertyville, and New Gracanica and all who came from near and far, especially from Saratoga, California.
May Fr. +Slobodan rest in peace and be in God‘s eternal kingdom.
May His memory be eternal! Vjecnaja pamjat!
