With the
blessing of His Grace, Bishop Longin of New Gracanica and Midwestern America,
the relics of St. Mardarije, which have laid in the Church of St. Sava
Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois, since his internment in December 1935,
were uncovered. The opening revealed St. Mardarije’s holy relics to be
incorrupt.
On Thursday,
May 4, 2017, His Grace Bishop Longin served Divine Liturgy at St. Sava
Monastery with Sindjel Serafim (Milojkovic), Priest Nikolaj Kostur and
Hierodeacon Nektarije (Tesanovic), in preparation for uncovering the relics.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Longin and the other clergy served a
Moleban with the Akathist written to St. Mardarije. Upon completion, the crew
organized to remove the tombstone and flooring in order to exhume the relics
arrived, under the guidance of Mr. Dusan Djordjevic of Sveta Gora Funeral Home
in Chicago. After removal of the stone, it was revealed that the casket of St.
Mardarije was in a cement vault. This caused the opening to be delayed one
additional day in order to organize a team to open the vault.
On Friday morning,
May 5, 2017, the workers broke the seal of the vault, while Priest Nikolaj
Kostur and Heirodeacon Nektarije (Tesanovic) served a Moleban to St. Mardarije
at the tomb in the presence of Bishop Longin and Hieromonk Serafim
(Milojkovic). Throughout the entire process of exhumation, “Christ is Risen”
and other Paschal hymns were sung, both in Serbian and Russian tones, knowing
St. Mardarije’s deep love and dedication to both Slavic traditions.
Once the seal of the vault was broken, every effort
was taken to lift the cover. During this process, the cover of the vault
shifted and fell on the casket, breaking its cover. At this moment, a sweet
smelling fragrance arose from the tomb, quickly dissipating. However, it became
evident that the Saint was buried facing the west instead of east. This in and
of itself is miraculous. It manifested the Providence of God. Had St. Mardarije
been buried in the proper direction, the vault cover would have fallen on the
side of the casket where his holy head rested. It was visible that his feet had
decayed and were bones.
Frs. Serafim and Nikolaj lifted the relics out of
the tomb during the singing of “Christ is Risen.” The relics were light in
weight and easily placed in a temporary metal coffin. Hereupon the feet were examined,
which at this point were the only visible part of the remains. The bones of the
feet were goldish-yellow in color. Then, Fr. Nikolaj Kostur proceeded to
examine the mid-section of the body. St. Mardarije's Holy hands were holding
the cross which was firmly in place and immovable. As Fr. Nikolaj pulled back
the sleeve of the saccos, it was revealed that the hands of St. Mardarije were
completely intact. Clearly visible were his skin, fingernails and hair. At this
point, it was evident that the relics were more than just bones.
The holy relics of St. Mardarije were lifted out of
the metal coffin and placed on two tables which were prepared for the
examination and washing of the holy relics.
All of the vestments and clothing were carefully removed, cutting that
which could not easily be taken off in order to not disturb the holy
relics. Most reverent and diligent care
and utmost attention were given to the work that was being done; the clergy
continuously sang the troparion to St. Mardarije and other Paschal hymns.
After all the vestments were removed, it was
revealed that the holy relics, from the knee upward, were intact, although very
fragile. The Saint’s anatomy was intact
with his skin and hair visible. When the
mitre was removed, his long, dark hair flowed out, confirming his continued
monastic struggle until the end of his days.
The hair on his head and beard looked as though he had just reposed; it
was very soft. The eyebrows and
eyelashes of his closed eyes were visible.
Also, his ears were still intact.
The body was easily lifted and moved.
There was a great deal of dust which had accumulated in the grave from
the nearly eighty-two years since the burial. Upon the removal of the dust from
the entire body, the holy relics were washed with warm water and white wine.
Hereupon spikenard oil was was used to anoint the body, according to the
instructions received from the Holy Monastery of Hilandar. After the
anoninting, the color of the skin changed from tan to a dark brown.
After the washing and anointing, the legs, hands
and torso were all wrapped in cotton and linen, making the holy relics more
easily movable. Following this process,
the holy relics were temporarily vested in a stiharion until his vesting takes
place before his Glorification in July 2017.
His face was covered with linen, and he was returned to the temporary
metal coffin and covered.
Truly, God is wondrous in His Saints, showing us
all His Divine power and that nature is subject to God’s grace. All of those that partook in this experience,
from the clergy to the workers, were moved with the joy and spiritual peace
that filled the church during the uncovering of the holy relics. St. Mardarije lives on, not only in his
legacy, but now through his incorrupt relics which will be a renewed rudder for
the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America, guiding us to move into
the future, being directed by the past.
May we follow St. Mardarije on the path of St. Sava, which lead him to
sanctity.
Our Holy Hierarch, Father Mardarije, pray unto God
for us! Christ is risen!
Priest Nikolaj Kostur
Chairman of the Liturgical Sub-Committee for the
Glorification of St. Mardarije
http://serborth.org/05102017.html
http://serborth.org/05102017.html
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