General Draža Mihailovich: A Christian Treasure in the heart of the Midwest - A visit to St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois on an early summer morning

Friday, February 19, 2010

A Christian Treasure in the heart of the Midwest - A visit to St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois on an early summer morning

On a beautiful summer morning in June of 2007, I took a drive out to Libertyville, Illinois for the purpose of taking photos of the new memorial monument that had been erected and dedicated to Voyvoda Momchilo Djujich, a highly revered Chetnik commander under the command of Serbia's General Draza Mihailovich in World War II. When I arrived at St. Sava Monastery, the Serbian Orthodox Church that was home to this new memorial, I found the grounds to be even more lovely and peaceful than I had hoped they would be. The experience exceeded my expectations as the beauty of the early morning only served to enhance the serenity and nobility of this special place. There was General Draza Mihailovich, Voyvoda Pavle Djurisich, and now Voyvoda Momchilo Djujich standing guard over the church and the burial grounds of the various people for whom this was their final resting place, including King Peter II of the Karageorgevich royal family.

Inside, there was the familiar gorgeous handcarved woodwork meticulously done by my Uncle many years ago. There, too, were the vivid, striking colors that make every Serbian Orthodox Church a true work of art. And there were the silent candles with their bright flames gently glowing in memorium of departed loved ones.

God and his Holy Son, Jesus Christ, were omnipresent in that lovely place, and I couldn't help but feel like I was being blessed by the Holy Spirit as I enjoyed the moments of solitude and peace that being there at St. Sava Monastery afforded me on a beautiful summer morning.

Below you will find a slide show that features a collection of photographs I took that morning, and I hope you will get a sense of what a special place this is.

Sincerely,

Aleksandra Rebic

To go directly to "YouTube" to view the above slide show, please go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_8_fr5R7js

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery, Libertyville IL U.S.A.

*****

The following is found on "Flickr".

The first link below will take you directly to a larger version of the same slide show of photos on "Flickr" that is featured above and the second link will allow you to look at each photo individually if you wish.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aleksandra-rebic/sets/72157623229531377/show/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aleksandra-rebic/sets/72157623229531377/

Enjoy, and thanks for visiting!

*****

If you would like to get in touch with me, Aleksandra, please feel free to contact me at ravnagora@hotmail.com

*****

1 comment:

AnonymousMonday, March 01, 2010 10:39:00 PM
Thank you, Hvala (I think). The next time I get to Chicago I will go to visit. I have read of Mihailovich's bravery and I do admire him.
Mike Tennis
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Thanks for visiting!

Aleksandra Rebic is an American of Serbian heritage born and raised in the Chicago area, the daughter of Serbian parents who emigrated to the United States from the former Yugoslavia and made America their home. She is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Studies from the School of Speech.

Aleksandra has been an aspiring writer and student of history all of her life. While employed at a successful data processing company with both national and international clientele, she dedicates much of her free time to the freelance writing that she hopes will make a difference. Her focus and interests cover a wide range of topics, and her goal is to move and inspire people to see things from a different perspective. Aleksandra has been published in both Serbian and American newspapers and extensively online on the World Wide Web. She is co-author, with her father Rade Rebic, of the book “Dragoljub-Draza Mihailovich i Drugi Svetski Rat: Istorija Jedne Velike Izdaje” (“Dragoljub-Draza Mihailovich and the Second World War: History of a Great Betrayal”) in the Serbian language, and of a number of reports that she has issued through the years, including “Serbian 1,000 Points of Light,” “Stepinac,” “The Politics of Propaganda,” and “Jasenovac,” all in the English language.

Aleksandra has also established two websites online dedicated to educating both Serbs and non-Serbs about the true role that the Serbian people have played in world events throughout history. The two websites are:

http://www.heroesofserbia.com/

and

http://www.generalmihailovich.com/.

With her father, she has organized and hosted several successful events including the 1993 "Mihailovich 100th Birthday Celebration" and the 1994 "Halyard Mission 50th Anniversary Commemoration," both held in Chicago.

Her current project in progress, together with her father, is "Heroes of Serbia," a special tribute book honoring the pivotal role the Serbs played in the Allied victory in World War One. “Heroes of Serbia” will be published in both the English and Serbian language in 2015, with the ultimate goal of having the tribute published in multiple languages.

Aleksandra remains a loyal American patriot who believes in the Serbian cause. Her many other interests and passions include photography, travel, nature and the outdoors, entertainment (movies, music, and television), reading, spending quality time with family and friends, planning and enjoying outings and new adventures, and sharing her Christian faith.

She currently resides and works in the Chicagoland area and is available for speaking engagements.

E-Mail addresses:

ravnagora@hotmail.com

OR

heroesofserbia@yahoo.com

Postal address:

P.O. Box 95551

Hoffman Estates, IL 60195

U.S.A.

*****

Александра Ребић је Српкиња рођена и одрасла у Чикагу и околини, ћерка родитеља који су емигрирали у Америку и учинили је својим новим огњиштем. Завршила је студије на Нортвестерн Универзитету у Еванстону, Илиноис са дипломом у области комуникација.

Александра је још од ране младости амбициозни писац и озбиљан студент историје. Док је запослена у успешној компанији, која обрађује податке националне и интернационалне клијентеле, посвећује велики део слободног времена независном писању обимних осврта у нади да ће направити разлику. Њен фокус и интереси су многострани, а њен циљ је да покрене и инспирише људе да виде ствари из перспективе на коју нису навикли. Њени радови су штампани у српским и америчким новинама и обилно онлајн широм света. Она је ко-аутор са оцем Радом Ребићем књиге „Дража Михаиловић и Други светски рат – Историја једне велике издаје“ која је штампана на српском језику, и великог броја дописа, укључујући „Serbian 1,000 Points of Light,“ „Stepinac,“ „The Politics of Propaganda,“ и “Jasenovac,” (све на енглеском језику) које је самостално издала у протеклим годинама.

Александра је такође успоставила два вебсајта онлајн посвећених упознавању Срба и шире јавности о истинској улози српског народа у светским догађајима кроз историју. Два вебсајта су:

http://www.heroesofserbia.com/

и

http://www.generalmihailovich.com/.

Ca оцем, Александра је организовала и била домаћин неколико успешних српских прослава укључујући у 1993. години прославу „100-тог рођендана генерала Драже Михаиловића“ и у 1994. години „Комеморативну прославу 50-годишњице Халиард мисије,“ обе у Чикагу.

Сада, заједно са оцем, завршава рад на књизи „Хероји Србије,“ књизи којом одаје специјално признање кључној улози коју су Срби одиграли у савезничкој победи у Првом светском рату. Књига ће бити штампана на оба српском и енглеском језику ове 2015. године.

Она такоће са задовољством прихвата позиве да говори при разним функцијама и на скуповима.

Александра остаје веран амерички патриота који верује у српску ствар. Међу њеним многим интереса и страсти су фотографијa, путовања, природa, забава (филмови, музика, и телевизија), читање, активности у природи, време са породицом и пријатељима, планирање и уживање у излетима и новим доживљајима, и духовни живот у њеној Хришћанској вери.

Она у садашње време живи и ради y околини Чикагa.

E-Mail addresses:

ravnagora@hotmail.com

OR

heroesofserbia@yahoo.com

Postal address:

P.O. Box 95551

Hoffman Estates, IL 60195

U.S.A.

*****

Friday, February 19, 2010

A Christian Treasure in the heart of the Midwest - A visit to St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois on an early summer morning

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