Chicago, November 2, 2026
Photo: newgracanica.org
A new setting of the Divine Liturgy rooted in Serbian chant made its world premiere in Chicago on Sunday, October 18, when the faithful at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral heard composer Kurt Sander’s The Serbian Liturgy sung in divine worship.
The work is a new setting of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Drawing on the melodies preserved by Kornelije Stanković and Stevan Mokranjac, Dr. Sander keeps the chants clear and recognizable to the worshipper while clothing them in a fresh harmonic language, reports the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of New Gračanica.
Dr. Sander is one of the better-known composers of Orthodox choral music in America. His compositions have been performed in ten countries on four continents, and his sacred choral works have been sung by ensembles such as Cappella Romana and the Patriarch Tikhon Choir. He also teaches at the Summer School of Liturgical Music in Jordanville and the Synodal School of Liturgical Music.
Photo: newgracanica.org
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Grace Bishop Serafim of Kostajnica, concelebrated by Fr. Darko Spasojević, cathedral dean, and other clergy. A great number of faithful filled the cathedral.
The St. Romanos Choir sang under the direction of Dr. Peter Jermihov, founder and artistic director of the Society of St. Romanos the Melodist, which commissioned The Serbian Liturgy, made possible by a grant from the Hilandar Foundation.
After the Liturgy, the Branko Radičević Society hosted a luncheon in the cathedral social hall, where clergy, singers, the composer and parishioners gathered.
The Society plans to bring The Serbian Liturgy on a tour of Serbia and to produce a professional recording so the work can be preserved for future generations.
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