On the final day of a multi-day visit to the Serbian community in Chicago, HRH Hereditary Prince Philip and HRH Princess Danica visited the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the Children’s Summer Camp and the Academy of Saint Sava, institutions that have been a spiritual, educational and cultural pillar of the Serbian people in the United States for decades.
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ has been gathering the Serbian community for more than a century, preserving the Orthodox faith, the Serbian language, tradition and an unbreakable bond with the homeland. Their Royal Highnesses were particularly impressed by their meeting with the youngest – the participants of the Children’s Summer Camp and the students of the Academy of Saint Sava, in whose curiosity, knowledge and love for their origins lies the future of the Serbian community in the Diaspora.
During the visit, the importance of the Academy was highlighted, which successfully combines modern education with the nurturing of the Orthodox faith, the Serbian language, culture and tradition, enabling young generations to grow up in the spirit of Saint Sava and preserve their national and spiritual identity even far from their homeland.
The value of the Children’s Summer Camp was also particularly emphasised, which, through socialising, play, learning, sports and joint prayer, provides children with the opportunity to build lasting friendships, strengthen their faith and proudly cherish their Serbian heritage.
Hereditary Prince Philip expressed his sincere gratitude to the head of the Cathedral Church of the Resurrection of Christ, Rev. Dr Darko Spasojević, as well as to Rev. Nikolaj Kostur and Jovan Aničić, for their warm welcome, hospitality and dedicated work to preserve the spiritual life, education and national identity of the Serbian community in Chicago.
“The dedication of our Church, clergy and all those who work with young people represents the strongest support for the preservation of Serbian identity in the Diaspora. Our children are the greatest wealth of our people, and their upbringing in the spirit of St. Sava values is a pledge of the future of the Serbian community, wherever it lives,” said Hereditary Prince Philip.
The visit to Chicago confirmed the strength and vitality of the Serbian community in America, as well as the importance of working together to preserve faith, tradition, culture, and national identity for future generations.
