Description

Feast Day/Commemorated: December 12

Saint Mardarije was born Ivan Uskokovic in Podgoritsa, Montenegro, in 1889. Embracing monasticism at the Studenitsa Monastery in 1907, he went on to study at the Saint Petersburg Theological Academy in Russia. Following his ordination by the Russian Orthodox Church, he was dispatched to America as a missionary. By 1919, he actively participated in the Second All-American Sobor in Cleveland, Ohio, where delegates recommended his elevation to the episcopacy to organize a dedicated Serbian Orthodox Diocese in North America. However, administrative turmoil surrounding the Russian Orthodox Church made securing the necessary written blessing from Patriarch Tikhon impossible at the time.

Returning to Belgrade later in 1919, Archimandrite Mardarije led the Rakovitsa Monastery and its monastic school. When Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic was assigned to administer the nascent American diocese, Mardarije returned to the United States to serve as his Deputy for two years, continuing diocesan administration after Bishop Nikolai's return to Belgrade. Prior to his formal episcopal consecration on April 26, 1926, Mardarije carried out the primary groundwork for establishing the diocese, which included serving as a parish priest in Chicago and personally buying the property for Saint Sava Monastery in Libertyville.

Despite suffering from severe, advancing tuberculosis, Bishop Mardarije dedicated his remaining years to tireless ministry across North America. He convened the first National Church Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox American-Canadian Diocese in 1927 and held a key clergy conference in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1931 to foster internal unity. Guided by kindness, patience, and a gentleness toward his flock, he achieved significant harmony within the diocese before his death on December 12, 1935, at the age of 46. He was laid to rest at the Saint Sava Monastery he had founded.

Decades after his repose, Saint Mardarije's enduring legacy was formally recognized when he was canonized alongside Archimandrite Sebastian Dabovich on September 5, 2015, at Saint Steven Serbian Orthodox Cathedral. Patriarch Irinej of Serbia presided over the liturgical celebration alongside numerous hierarchs and dignitaries. Honored as bright luminaries of the Church, these two early leaders were celebrated across the global Orthodox community for their extraordinary apostolic sacrifices, deep perseverance, and foundational efforts in establishing the Orthodox faith in North America.

About Our Icons (Print and Mounted):

Theophany Works Icons are handcrafted Orthodox Christian icon reproductions made in the United States with prayer and a desire for excellence. Each of our icons are printed on museum-quality matte canvas, providing a rich print with saturated coloration that lends to a beautiful handwritten-icon appearance.

All Theophany Works Icons are mounted on beveled wooden boards and finished with a high-quality UV protection sealant. This offers a subtle authentic-feeling texture while also enhancing durability, allowing for cleaning with a damp cloth. Additionally, each icon is given a maple-shelled keyhole slot on its back for easy and balanced hanging.

Our beautiful icon reproductions are lovingly made in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania studio. We pray they are a blessing to all who receive them, and we believe they will be a beloved addition to any home or parish—each at a fraction of the cost of a hand-painted icon.

***Our Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ: Please allow 4 weeks for production as each icon is made to order. If an icon is needed sooner for a baptism, chrismation, wedding, or name day, please contact us—we will always do our very best to accommodate your request.

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