Vladyka Seraphim: /* Monastic-pastoral service */

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Monastic-pastoral service

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[[File:2016.12.15 Bishop Firmilian Ocokoljic 2smallest.jpg]]

'''Bishop Firmilian (Ocokoljić) (1910-1992)'''

Firmilian may be spelt Firmilijan, Fermilian.

Ocokoljic may be spelt Ocokoljić, Ocokoljich, Otsokoljich.

==Early life of Stanko Ocokoljić==

On 7 January, 1910 (the Feast of the Nativity of Christ), Stanko Ocokoljić was born in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaona_(Vladimirci) Kaona], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia Serbia] (100 km/62 mi south-west from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgrade Belgrade]), along with his twin brother Ranko. They were born into a family of clergy, who descended from many generations of priests. His father was Archpriest Uroš Ocokoljić, the rector of the Kaona parish. He was also involved in politics, and he served (amongst other activities) as the president of the Kaon Agricultural Cooperative. His mother, Darinka (born Plazinić), was the daughter of a priest.

Stanko, the tenth child in the family, was raised with the other children in the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Introduction_to_Orthodox_Christianity Orthodox Christian Faith] in the bosom of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Serbia Serbian Orthodox Church].

Stanko received his elementary education in Kaona, and his secondary education ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnasium_%28school%29 gymnasium]) in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%8Ca%C4%8Dak Čačak]. As he was growing up, he was perceived as being remarkable for his intellectual clarity and his almost innate wisdom.

==Higher education==

After completing his elementary and secondary education, Stanko was admitted into the Orthodox Theological [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seminary Seminary] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarajevo Sarajevo, Bosnia], from which he graduated in 1930.

'''Military service'''

Stanko fulfilled the required period of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_service service with the Armed Forces] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Yugoslavia Yugoslavia].

==Marriage==

In 1930, after he had completed the required military service, Stanko Ocokoljić was married to Nadezda Popović.

==Ordinations==

In January, 1931, Stanko was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Deacon Diaconate], and then to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Presbyter Priesthood] by [https://www.translatetheweb.com/?from=ru&to=en&ref=SERP&dl=en&rr=UC&a=https%3a%2f%2fru.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2f%25D0%2595%25D1%2584%25D1%2580%25D0%25B5%25D0%25BC_%28%25D0%2591%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B9%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2587%29 Bishop Efrem (Bojović)], brother of [https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sr&u=https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%25D0%259F%25D0%25B5%25D1%2582%25D0%25B0%25D1%2580_%25D0%2591%25D0%25BE%25D1%2598%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%259B&prev=search&pto=aue Duke Petar Bojović].

==Pastoral service==

The first assignment of Priest Stanko Ocokoljić was as assistant priest to his father, the Archpriest Uroš Ocokoljić, in the village of Kaona.

==Bereavement==

Painfully, within the first year of marriage, Father Stanko lost both his wife and their son as a consequence of complications during childbirth.

The unexpected loss of his wife changed the direction of the life of the now-widowed Priest Stanko. Thereafter, he strove to engage in study.

==Further study ; teaching==

Father Stanko returned to [http://www.bfspc.bg.ac.rs/en/ theological studies] at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Belgrade University of Belgrade]. At the same time, he took up a position in the Belgrade Public School System, and he taught religion in the schools.

In 1938, after having received a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licentiate_of_Theology Licentiate in Theology] from the University of Belgrade, Father Stanko was assigned to serve as a professor of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Patristics Patrology] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_language Greek] at the then-existing Theological Seminary in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetinje Cetinje], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montenegro Montenegro] ("Crna Gora").

==Monastic tonsure==

In 1939, Priest Stanko Ocokoljić was [https://orthochristian.com/101607.html tonsured] to be a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Monk monk] and he received the name Firmilian at the Monastery of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osogovo_Monastery Saint Joachim of Osogovo] in what is now called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Macedonia North Macedonia], within the diocese of [https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sr&u=https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%25D0%2588%25D0%25BE%25D1%2581%25D0%25B8%25D1%2584_%25D0%25A6%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2598%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%259B&prev=search&pto=aue Metropolitan Josif (Cvijović)] of [https://www.britannica.com/place/Skopje Skopje]. (Another article indicates that the tonsure took place at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Basil_of_Ostrog_Monastery Monastery of Saint Basil of Ostrog] in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Montenegro Montenegro].)

==Monastic-pastoral service==

'''Service in the USA and in the UK'''

In 1940, when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II World War II] came to Yugoslavia, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hieromonk Hieromonk] Firmilian (Ocokoljić) travelled to the [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States USA] together with [[Bishop Dionisije (Milivojevic) |Bishop Dionisije (Milivojević)]]. They had been sent to serve there in the [http://www.eserbia.org/church/88-serbian-orthodox-church-in-the-usa Serbian Eastern Orthodox Diocese of America and Canada] in the USA.

As the administrative secretary of Bishop Dionisije, during the following years, Hieromonk Firmilian served as the pastor of many of the largest Serbian Orthodox communities in the USA : Saint Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, “[https://www.ravanica.org/ Ravanica]” in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit Detroit], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan Michigan] (from October, 1941) ; [https://www.serbiancathedral.org/ Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago Chicago], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois Illinois] ; [https://stsavapa.org/ Saint George and Saint Sava Temple] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh Pittsburgh], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania Pennsylvania], and [https://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Sava_Cathedral_(New_York,_New_York) Saint Sava Pro-Cathedral] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City New York City], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_(state) New York].

'''Service in the UK, 1945'''

In addition to these responsibilities, during World War II, Father Firmilian served as the personal [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Chaplain chaplain] to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kara%C4%91or%C4%91evi%C4%87_dynasty Karađorđević] royal family, and specifically to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_II_of_Yugoslavia King Peter II] Karađorđević (Karageorgevich), the exiled king of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Yugoslavia Yugoslavia] (who was living at that time in the [https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom United Kingdom]). While he was there, in 1945, he studied history and philosophy at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Oxford Oxford University].

'''Return to the USA'''

After his return to the United States, the "singelos" (chancellor) Firmilian was elevated to the dignity of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Archimandrite archimandrite] at the [http://newgracanica.com/monastery/ Monastery of Saint Sava] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertyville,_Illinois Libertyville, Illinois].

[[File:Church of the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery.jpg]] '''Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery'''

In 1945, Archimandrite Firmilian was instrumental in the formation of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_Serbian_Sisters National Federation of the Circles of Serbian Sisters] to which he was appointed to serve as its spiritual advisor. The original society in Serbia had been closed during the war in 1942.

During his service at the monastery, in addition to using his administrative skills, Archimandrite Firmilian participated in many activities, including teaching at the seminary on the monastery grounds, and promoting the publication of many of the literary works of [[Saint Nikolaj (Velimirovic) |Bishop Nikolaj (Velimirović)]].

While he resided at the monastery, Archimandrite Firmilian earned his [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Philosophy Doctorate in Philosophy] degree from the [https://history.uchicago.edu/ Department of History] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Chicago University of Chicago] after defending his doctoral dissertation about the “Legal Codex of the Serbian [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Du%C5%A1an Emperor Dushan]”.

Archimandrite Firmilian was assigned to serve as the director of the [http://www.easterndiocese.org/shadeland.html Shadeland Diocesan Estate] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springboro,_Pennsylvania Springboro, Pennsylvania]. He sponsored its establishment as a charity home, a children’s summer camp, and a fully operative farm.

While he served as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_(Christianity) dean] of the New York City [http://orthodoxwiki.org/St._Sava_Cathedral_(New_York_City_,_New_York) Pro-Cathedral of Saint Sava], he nurtured it such that it became the largest Serbian community in the USA. At the same time, Archimandrite Firmilian took up (that is, he was given) many other responsibilities.

[[File:Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava 2.png]] '''Saint Sava Serbian Cathedral, New York City'''

'''Teaching at Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York'''

As an educator, Archimandrite Dr. Firmilian (Ocokoljić) resumed teaching, this time at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Vladimir%27s_Orthodox_Theological_Seminary Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary] in New York City where, as a professor at the graduate school of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology theology], he taught [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hagiology hagiology], and both Western and Serbian ecclesiastical histories. There, he was also given the responsibility of serving as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_(education) dean] of Serbian students.

Archimandrite Firmilian was instrumental in the formation of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_Conference_of_the_Canonical_Orthodox_Bishops_in_the_Americas Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas] (SCOBA) together with [[Archbishop Iakovos (Coucouzis)]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_Orthodox_Archdiocese_of_America Greek Archdiocese]. He was named its first administrative secretary.

Archimandrite Firmilian also represented the diocesan bishop at certain meetings of the [https://www.oikoumene.org/ World Council of Churches] (WCC).

[[File:Archimandrite Fermilian Ocokolich.png]] '''Saint Vladimir's Seminary 1962 yearbook photo'''

[[File:Archimandrite Firmilian description.png]] '''1962 seminary brief biography'''

By an official act of [[Bishop Dionisije (Milivojevic) |Bishop Dionisije (Milivojević)]] dated 8 January, 1963, Archimandrite Firmilian, the vicar to Bishop Dionisije, was appointed to be the educational head of the diocese.

'''Schism of Bishop Dionisije (Milivojević), 1963'''

Later, on 10 May, 1963, Bishop Dionisije (Milivojević) began a [https://orthodoxwiki.org/ schism] from the Church of Serbia because of a perception of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Republic_of_Serbia communist influence] and/or control in the Serbian Orthodox Church. The beginning of this schism (in which Archimandrite Firmilian did not participate) changed the direction of his own life.

At its special meeting of 27 July, 1963, the Holy Episcopal Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church elected Archimandrite Firmilian (Ocokoljić) to be the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop bishop] of the newly-created [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_New_Gracanica_–_Midwestern_America Diocese of Midwestern America].

==Episcopal ordination, 1963==

Preparation for the ordination took place at [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Vespers Vespers] on 31 July, 1963, in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Sava_Serbian_Orthodox_Cathedral_(Milwaukee) Cathedral Church of Saint Sava] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee Milwaukee, Wisconsin]. The Vespers was served by Bishop-designate Firmilian, together with 4 priests and a deacon. The local choir sang the responses, and the Temple was filled with people.

[[File:The St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.jpg]] '''Saint Sava Cathedral, Milwaukee'''

On 1 August, 1963, the Hierarchical [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Divine_Liturgy Divine Liturgy] was served by Bishops [https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sr&u=https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%25D0%25A5%25D1%2580%25D0%25B8%25D0%25B7%25D0%25BE%25D1%2581%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BC_%25D0%2592%25D0%25BE%25D1%2598%25D0%25B8%25D0%25BD%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%259B&prev=search&pto=aue Chrysostom (Vojinović)] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brani%C4%8Devo_(Golubac) Branicevo] and [https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sr&u=https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%25D0%25A1%25D1%2582%25D0%25B5%25D1%2584%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD_%25D0%259B%25D0%25B0%25D1%2581%25D1%2582%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D1%2586%25D0%25B0&prev=search&pto=aue Stefan (Lastivica)] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_United_States Eastern America] and [https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada Canada], together with 25 priests and a deacon. During the Divine Liturgy, Bishop-elect Firmilian (Ocokoljić) was ordained to the Holy [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Episcopate Episcopate].

[[File:Bishop Firmilian a 1.png]] '''Bishop Firmilian (Ocokoljić)'''

==Episcopal service==

The election of Bishop Firmilian (Ocokoljić) by the bishops of the [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Serbia Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church] in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, led to a long controversy, because Bishop Firmilian`s predecessor, Bishop Dionisije, refused to relinquish his office. He believed that the American diocese was being subjected to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_Orthodox_Church#Under_communist_rule communist control].

In 1963, Bishop Dionisije formed the "Free Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church", which led the American diocese into a [https://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Schism schism]. As a consequence, he was removed from his responsibilities and from the Holy Episcopate by the Serbian Church.

[[File:Bishop Firmilian 2 a.png]] '''Bishop Firmilian with parishioners'''

'''Court cases'''

Bishop Firmilian led the canonical diocese during this period of controversy, which lasted more than 16 years. Despite the very difficult circumstances, the diocese was organised, and it continued to grow.

Bishop Dionisije brought his dismissal before the civil court while the 2 groups contended for control of church property in the USA, until the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States Supreme Court of the USA] ruled in favour of Bishop Firmilian and his followers.

'''40 years of priestly service, 1971'''

On 25 January, 1971, the 40th anniversary of Bishop Firmilian's ordination to the Holy Priesthood was marked in Chicago. At that time, it was written in the periodical "Orthodoxy" that "Bishop Dr. Firmilian is one of the most prominent figures in Serbian church circles in America and one of the few people who know the opportunities, history and life of Serbs in the United States".

'''Settlement of legal processes, 1976'''

In 1976, the American Supreme court recognised all the decisions of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church in connexion with the case involving the leaders of the schism and the deposition of Bishop Dionisije. It reversed all the previous decisions of the courts in the state of Illinois, and it ordered that the decisions of the American Supreme Court be carried out. Their finding was :

The reorganisation of the Diocese involves solely a matter of internal Church government, an issue at the core
of ecclesiastical affairs. Religious freedom encompasses the power [of religious bodies] to decide for
themselves, free from state interference, matters of Church government as well as those of faith and doctrine.

In 1979, after the repose of [[Bishop Dionisije (Milivojevic) |Bishop Dionisije (Milivojević)]], the Diocesan See once again was established at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Sava_Serbian_Orthodox_Monastery_and_Seminary Saint Sava Monastery] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertyville,_Illinois Libertyville], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois Illinois].

After his return to the Monastery in 1979, Bishop Firmilian laboured to restore the memory of the forgotten [[Saint Mardarije (Uskokovic) |Bishop Mardarije (Uskoković)]], founder of the Monastery and first Serbian Orthodox Bishop of America and Canada. He also strove to complete his “Mardarije's Dream” by renovating and enlarging the Monastery Temple.

[[File:Bishop Firmilian 3 a 1.png]] '''Bishop Firmilian after a memorial service'''

'''Illness, 1984'''

In 1984, after celebrating both the [https://www.orthodoxwiki.org/Nativity Nativity of the Lord] and his own birthday, Bishop Firmilian suffered a series of heart attacks and several strokes. He was hospitalised immediately in Chicago. Nevertheless, supported by his faith and the outpouring love and prayers of the Faithful from all jurisdictions, Bishop Firmilian came out of a coma. Once again, he was able to delight in the monastery that he loved so well.

==Retirement, 1987==

On 14 June, 1987, Bishop Firmilian was relieved of episcopal duties because of illness.

In 1988, Bishop Firmilian was awarded the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St._Sava Order of Saint Sava] of the 1st Degree, the highest award of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

==Healing of the schism, 1991==

The schism between the Free Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian Orthodox Patriarchate lasted until 24 April, 1991, when there was a reconciliation between the two. This was the result of the invitation extended by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarch_Pavle_of_Serbia Patriarch Pavle (Stojčević)] to work towards reconciliation.

In 1992, Eucharistic Communion was restored during a celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral_of_the_Blessed_Virgin_Mary,_Belgrade Holy Visitation of the Virgin Cathedral] in [https://www.britannica.com/place/Belgrade Belgrade].

==Repose, 1992==

On Monday, 2 November, 1992, Bishop Firmilian (Ocokoljić), who had presided over the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwestern_United_States Midwestern America] since 1963, fell asleep in the Lord in the [http://www.hospital-data.com/hospitals/CONDELL-MEMORIAL-HOSPITAL-LIBERTYVIL732.html Condell Memorial Hospital], Libertyville, Illinois, at the age of 82.

On Wednesday, 4 November, 1992, at 10:00 a.m., a Memorial Divine Liturgy was served in the Monastery of Saint Sava. His body was present in the midst of the Temple. At 7:30 p.m., a Panikhida ([https://orthodoxwiki.org/Memorial_Services Memorial Service]) was offered for Bishop Firmilian in the Monastery Temple.

On Thursday, 5 November, 1992, the [http://www.archbishop-of-ottawa.org/content/burial-services-over-presbyter-or-over-bishop Funeral Service for the Burial of a Hierarch] was offered in the Monastery Temple of Saint Sava at Libertyville.

After [https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1992-11-03-9204090492-story.html the funeral services], his body [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7186627/firmilijan-ocokoljic was interred] in [https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1906209/serbian-orthodox-monastery-of-saint-sava Saint Sava's Cemetery].

Bishop Firmilian’s successor was [[Metropolitan Christopher (Kovacevic) |Metropolitan Christopher (Kovačević)]], who later, in 1992, was elevated to the rank of [https://orthodoxwiki.org/Bishop#Archbishops_and_Metropolitans Metropolitan] and the Diocese to the rank of [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metropolitanate Metropolitanate].

[[File:Bishop Firmilian grave marker.jpg]] [[File:Tomb inscription Bisop Firmilian.jpg]] '''Grave-marker for Bishop Firmilian (Ocokoljić)'''

— Bishop of Chicago and Midwestern America 1963-1992. Preceded by : [[Bishop Dionisije (Milivojevic) |Bishop Dionisije (Milivojević]]. Succeeded by : [[Metropolitan Christopher (Kovacevic) |Metropolitan Christopher (Kovačević)]].

==Reflections==

'''Awards'''

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St._Sava Order of Saint Sava], 1st Degree, 1988 (the highest award of the Serbian Orthodox Church)

==References==

[http://orthodoxwiki.org/Fermilian_(Ocokoljich)_of_Midwestern_America Orthodoxwiki biography]

[https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sr&u=https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%25D0%25A4%25D0%25B8%25D1%2580%25D0%25BC%25D0%25B8%25D0%25BB%25D0%25B8%25D1%2598%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD_%25D0%259E%25D1%2586%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BA%25D0%25BE%25D1%2599%25D0%25B8%25D1%259B&prev=search&pto=aue Serbian Wikipedia biography]

[https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sr&u=https://www.eserbia.org/sapeople/prosopography/1024-bishop-firmilijan-ocokoljic&prev=search&pto=aue Serbica Americana article]

[https://www.translatetheweb.com/?from=ru&to=en&ref=SERP&dl=en&rr=UC&a=https%3a%2f%2fru.m.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2f%25D0%25A4%25D0%25B8%25D1%2580%25D0%25BC%25D0%25B8%25D0%25BB%25D0%25B8%25D0%25B0%25D0%25BD_%28%25D0%259E%25D1%2586%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BA%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BB%25D0%25B8%25D1%2587%29 Russian Wikipedia biography]

'''Additional information :'''

Hockenos, Paul, “[https://www.amazon.com/s?rh=p_66%3A0801441587&field-isbn=0801441587 Homeland Calling : Exile, Patriotism & the Balkan Wars]” (Ithaca, NY : Cornell University Press, 2003). ISBN 0-8014-4158-7.

Puzovic, Predrag, Article about Serbian Orthodox Church Eparchies Abroad (PDF) in “Journal of the Orthodox Theological Faculty, Belgrade” (in Serbian), vol. 40, nos. 1-2 (1996), pp. 87–96 : PDF article in [https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en-GB&sl=bg&tl=en&prev=search&u=http://bogoslovlje.pbf.rs/images/arhiva/1996/1996-09.pdf&usg=ALkJrhjqvoMumQntqvLXX6S5aUe7QXa-qA English] ; PDF article in [http://bogoslovlje.pbf.rs/images/arhiva/1996/1996-09.pdf Serbian]

Spasović, Stanimir, Miletić, Srboljub, “[https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112235/http://www.svetosavlje.org/biblioteka/Istorija/IstorijaMiletic/IstorijaSPC013.htm History of the Serbian Orthodox Church : Schism on the North American Continent]”

Tarasar, Constance J, ed., "Orthodox America 1794-1976 : Development of The Orthodox Church in America" (Syosset, NY : The Orthodox Church in America Department of History and Archives, 1975). ASIN : B000ZLZAUE.

Vuković, Sava, “[https://books.google.ca/books?id=3dWOAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y History of the Serbian Orthodox Church in America and Canada 1891–1941]” (Kragujevac, Serbia : Kalenić, 1998).

Wyrwoll, Nikolaus ed., “Orthodoxia 2014-2015" (Regensburg : Ostkirchliches Institut, 2015). ISBN 978-7245-1959-1.

[http://www.leagle.com/decision/19761122426US696_11088/SERBIAN%20ORTHODOX%20DIOCESE%20v.%20MILIVOJEVICH “Leagle” court-case document]

[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-11-03/news/9204090492_1_st-sava-monastery-diocese-supreme-court Chicago Tribune obituary]

[http://www.stsava-milw.org/history2.html Saint Sava Cathedral Milwaukee history notes 1960-1990]

[http://www.eserbia.org/church/88-serbian-orthodox-church-in-the-usa Serbica Americana history notes]

[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/hierarchs/serbia/bios/fermilian_25th_anniversary.htm Orthodox Research Institute article about the 25th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Bishop Fermilian (Ocokoljich)]

[https://orthodoxwiki.org/Church_of_Serbia Orthodoxwiki article about the Serbian Orthodox Church]

[https://www.serborth.org Serbian Orthodox Church of North and South America web-site]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_Orthodox_Church_in_North_and_South_America History of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America]

[http://newgracanica.com Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Midwestern America web-site]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_Orthodox_Eparchy_of_New_Gračanica_and_Midwestern_America Wikipedia article about the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Midwestern America]

[[Saint Mardarije (Uskokovic)]]

[[Saint Nikolaj (Velimirovic)]]

[[Patriarch German II (Djoric)]]

[[Bishop Dionisije (Milivojevic)]]

[[Metropolitan Christopher (Kovacevic)]]

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Sava%27s_Serbian_Orthodox_Seminary Wikipedia article about Saint Sava’s Serbian Orthodox Monastery and Seminary]

“[https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sr&u=https://blagovesnikguca.blogspot.com/2019/07/blog-post_9.html&prev=search&pto=aue Firmilijan Ocokoljić, the only Bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church born in Dragacevo]” (18 July, 2019)

“[https://blagovesnikguca.blogspot.com/2019/07/blog-post_9.htm Firmilijan Ocokoljić, the only Bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church born in Dragacevo]” (18 July, 2019) (in Serbian)

[https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1906209/serbian-orthodox-monastery-of-saint-sava Findagrave reference of Saint Sava Monastery and Cemetery]

[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7186627/firmilijan-ocokoljic Findagrave reference for Bishop Firmilian (Ocokoljić)]

Please send your suggestions, additions, corrections or contributions to this address :

info@orthodoxcanada.ca

[[Category:Bishops]] [[Category:SP]]

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Bishop Firmilian (Ocokoljic) - Revision history

Vladyka Seraphim at 23:15, 2 July 2024

Vladyka Seraphim: /* Monastic-pastoral service */