St. Mardarije Spiritual and Cultural Center
March 2026 Renovation Update
Thank you for your continued interest in the renovation of the St. Mardarije Spiritual and Cultural Center.
Can March already be over? It was an amazing month where the generosity of our donors was simply staggering! $479,203.29 was donated by 122 individuals / organizations.
457 different donors, from 22 US states and 5 countries have donated over $2.7 million. (Newest international donations came from Slovenia, joining Australia, Norway, and Canada.) Thank you to all our donors, near and far.
Funds are still needed. Now that the weather is getting warmer, Manny and his crew are gearing up to work outside, and stucco work is slated to begin by mid-April. The cash flow needs are larger and coming in at a faster pace. If you can give sooner, please do. Continue to pray for this project, help share the updates, and consider donating, especially with Pascha coming in April.
Project Financial Status
Fundraising Highlights
Major March Donors
Listed below are donors that gave $5,000 or over in March.
John & Helen Govedarica are sponsoring the stage area in the main hall with their donation.
The St. Basil organizations above and their parishioners are sponsoring a konak room.
Petar Gataric is also sponsoring a konak room with his donation.
Parish Support Across the Midwest Diocese
This appeal has been presented to most parish boards in the Midwest Diocese, with some parishes having the entire presentation shared with their parishioners. To date, 13 parishes have contributed to this project:
- Holy Apostle and Evangelist St. Luke SOC — Leander, Texas
- St. Archangel Michael SOC — Huntsville, Alabama
- St. Archangel Michael SOC — Lansing, Illinois
- St. Basil SOC — Lake Forest, IL
- St. Elijah SOC — Merrillville, Indiana
- St. George SOC — Joliet, Illinois
- St. George SOC — Schererville, Indiana
- St. Lazarus SOC — Detroit, Michigan
- St. Nikola SOC — Lyons, Illinois
- St. Petka SOC — Nashville, Tennessee
- St. Sava SOC — Boston, Massachusetts
- St. Sava SOC — Houston, Texas
- St. Sava SOC — Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Boston Deanery Visit
After receiving the blessing from the Eastern Diocese Bishop, Irinej, His Grace Bishop Serafim took the presentation on a road show to the Boston Deanery in the Eastern Diocese. His Grace visited the following SOC communities, serving Vespers, Presanctified and Divine Liturgies, while also presenting the project and answering questions from attendees:
- St. Stephen — Lackawanna, NY
- St. Sava — New York, NY
- St. John the Baptist — Paterson, NJ
- Sts. Cyril & Methodius — Middlefield, CT
- St. Sava — Boston, MA
- St. Demetrius — Biddeford, ME
Bishop Serafim was warmly received and hosted at all these stops and is humbled by the generosity of the churches, organizations, and parishioners. Over $25K was raised on the Boston Deanery trip.
Upcoming Fundraiser
It is never too late to get involved. Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Chicago is hosting a fundraiser on April 26, 2026. Bishop Serafim will serve the Divine Liturgy and then the fundraiser will be held in the church hall. Please come and support the project.
Project Updates
As shown above, more than $2.9 million has been spent on this project. Following are spending category totals:
Construction Progress
Here are some pictures of the progress of the project of the St. Mardarije Spiritual and Cultural Center.
Building Updates
- Flooring in the main hall is completed.
- The countertops in the kitchenette have been installed.
- Leveling of the grounds around the building is in progress.
- Preparation for stucco work has started around the building. Depending on weather, stucco work could begin mid-April.
Other Giving Opportunities
The project can also accept shares of stock. If you have shares that have appreciated and you would like to reduce your liability, you can donate the shares to this account and the project can sell the shares and use them toward the construction. That’s a win-win.
Donating by Zelle also helps save the 2%+ that PayPal charges.
Zelle Donation Option
Shown below is the monastery’s Zelle QR code and tag phrase. Please scan it from your banking app.
Note: If you give via Zelle, please send an email so that you can receive a receipt of your donation for tax purposes.
Stay Connected
Follow us on Facebook @SaintSavaMonastery and visit stsavamonastery.org for project updates, online donations, and other ways to support, as well as our newly released campaign donor wall, listing all donors.
The donor wall is updated monthly. If you know people interested in receiving these updates, please reply with the email address and it will be added to our email list.
Donate by Check
Mail to: St. Sava Monastery, 32377 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048
Payable to: St. Sava Monastery
Memo: Camp Renovation
Praying for all to have a peaceful and healing Great Lent!
The St. Mardarije Spiritual and Cultural Center Steering Committee