Serbs from Chicago and the surrounding area once again showed how devoted they are to the King and the homeland.
Hundreds of people yesterday gave a ceremonial welcome at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Resurrection in Chicago to Hereditary Prince Filip and Princess Danica Karađorđević, as well as their children, Prince Stefan and Princess Marija.
The program began with a solemn hierarchical liturgy served by Archbishop of New Gračanica and Chicago and Midwestern American Metropolitan Longin, with concelebration by the church dean, Father Darko Spasojević, and priest Nikolaj Kostur. 
Generations of Serbian emigrants, who filled the church to capacity, headed after Communion and Bishop Serafim’s sermon to the ceremonial hall, where they welcomed the royal couple.
The Divine Liturgy and the formal reception were also attended by Dr. Marko Nikolić, Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in Chicago.
The Serbian Singing Society “Branko Radičević,” the music group “Sestre Radović,” and members of the folklore ensemble “Oko sokolovo” together sang the Lord’s Prayer before the formal luncheon, followed by the American and Serbian national anthems.
A rich Vidovdan cultural and artistic program followed, beginning with welcoming remarks from Father Darko Spasojević, who reminded those present of the importance of the monarchy and the Karađorđević dynasty in Serbian history and tradition.
Father Darko: The King cared for all his citizens
– I recently saw on Facebook feed an elderly woman, a Muslim from Kosovo, spoke about how respected they were and how good life was during the rule of the Karađorđević dynasty. The King was a host who took care of all his citizens, regardless of faith and nation. As we greet his descendants in this church today, we can only hope that such a time will return.
The performance of young Prince Stefan, who sang several songs with the children’s choir “Branko Radičević,” drew the greatest attention from the guests.
Metropolitan Longin: The King was a symbol of a father, leader, and protector
Metropolitan Longin reminded the guests of what a great blessing from God Serbia had while it was still called a kingdom.
I, like many Serbs I know, grew up in patriotic homes, in houses where the family patron saint was celebrated, where people believed in God, and where the King was something most exalted, most sacred, the very image of a father, statesman, leader, protector, and that is why this moment is very emotional for me. I am very glad that the young Prince and his wife, the young Princess, are with us today, that they live in Serbia, in Belgrade, and that they share their love, the good and the bad, with their people.
We Serbian patriots are especially glad that both of our dynasties, the Karađorđevićs and the Obrenovićs, were народне dynasties, born from Serbian noblemen and the struggle for liberation, unlike some others in the Balkans and Europe, where princes and kings from other countries and non-Orthodox peoples were installed. For us, our own man became our King! – Metropolitan Longin pointed out.
Prince Filip: Vidovdan reminds us that we are strongest in faith, unity, and love
Prince Filip Karađorđević then addressed those gathered:
– It is a great honor for me to be here today with my family among you, in this holy church, which for more than a century has represented the spiritual home of the Serbian people in Chicago and one of the most important gathering places for Serbs in North America – Prince Filip said at the beginning of his speech.
He went on to highlight the historical ties between Chicago and his family, and then underscored the importance of Vidovdan in Serbian history.
– The Serbian Orthodox Church, the Royal Family, and the Serbian people have for centuries been bound by a shared mission: preserving faith, freedom, and national dignity. These ties did not arise from politics, but from a shared responsibility toward our people and toward future generations.
May this holy church remain a place of prayer, unity, learning, and spiritual strength. May God bless the Serbian people, wherever they may live. And may Vidovdan always remind us that we are strongest when we are gathered in faith, harmony, and love. May the Lord protect us all. Long live Serbia, long live the Serbian diaspora, long live the Serbian people – Prince Filip said at the end, drawing thunderous applause from those present.
At the very end of the program, all participants joined together to sing “Oj Kosovo, Kosovo…”, after which those present took photographs with Their Royal Highnesses.
Visit to Libertyville, a Chetnik flag, and the final stop at New Gračanica
Prince Filip and Princess Danica, together with their children, then visited the St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, where Bishop Serafim introduced them to the history of the monastery and the role their ancestors played in its construction.
The bishop then served a memorial service for King Peter II Karađorđević, who died in Chicago and was originally buried in the monastery church, before his earthly remains were transferred in 2013 to the family mausoleum at Oplenac.
He then presented his guests with an icon depicting Saint Mardarije, Saint Sava, and Saint Nikolaj Velimirović, as well as the Great Martyr Ivanka Milošević, the girl whom communist agents murdered together with journalist Dragiša Kašiković in Chicago in 1977.
Members of the Serbian Chetnik Movement also welcomed the Karađorđević family at the monastery and presented them with the movement’s flag, bearing the wartime slogan: “With faith in God, for the King and the homeland! Freedom or death!”
The royal couple concluded their tour of Serbian holy sites in Chicago and the surrounding area at New Gračanica Monastery, where Bishop Serafim interpreted for them the iconography depicting Serbian history from the adoption of Christianity to the Second World War.
During the following day, Prince Filip and Princess Danica will meet with leaders of Serbian organizations, who will be introduced to the “Serbian Camp” project, which from next year should bring together children and young people from the diaspora and the homeland.
Text & Photos: Milan Brašanac
Check out more photos from this event in the gallery below.
