Third Lake, Illinois, October 8, 2025
Photo: newgracanica.org
Hieromonk Filotej (Radosav Petrović), a long-serving clergyman of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of New Gračanica–Midwestern America reposed in the Lord on September 28, at the age of 84.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and monastic funeral service were celebrated at New Gračanica Monastery by His Eminence Metropolitan Longin of Midwestern America and His Grace Bishop Seraphim of Kostajnica on October 2. His Grace Bishop Sava, retired bishop of Slavonia, was also present, along with numerous clergy, monastics, and faithful, the diocese reports.
Born on May 23, 1941, in the village of Loćika near Rekovac, Serbia, to Radašin and Mileva Petrović, Fr. Filotej entered monastic life as a young man at the Monastery of Jošanica in his native Šumadija region. He received his monastic name in honor of St. Philotheus of Athos.
Photo: newgracanica.org By the blessing of the late Bishop Sava (Vuković), Fr. Filotej came to America, where he served as a parish priest in Arizona and Racine, Wisconsin, before settling at New Gračanica Monastery. He participated in the uncovering of the relics of St. Nikolai (Velimirović) at St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville.
In his funeral homily, Met. Longin addressed the assembled clergy and faithful, stating that Fr. Filotej “was deeply loved and respected by priests, monks, and the faithful.” The Metropolitan noted that “if anyone among us possessed evangelical simplicity, humility, and meekness, it was Fr. Filotej.”
The hierarch described Fr. Filotej’s decades of monastic service: “He patiently endured all of life’s difficulties, never complaining, but always praying to God, humbly bearing every burden.” He noted that Fr. Filotej served Bishop Firmilian during his illness, as well as Metropolitan Irinej and other hierarchs, and was “always ready to respond quickly and assist.”
Photo: newgracanica.org
Speaking of Fr. Filotej’s repose, Met. Longin said the Lord “was merciful to him, not allowing him to linger long in illness, but receiving him into His embrace.”
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