Relics of the first serbian bishop in America found to be incorrupt

The relics of Saint Mardarije (Uskokovic) were uncovered on May 5 2017. The opening of his relics, revealed his relics to be incorrupt, reports Fr. Nikolaj Kostur, the Chairman of the Liturgical Sub-Committee for the Glorification of St. Mardarije.

The event was possible with the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Longin of New Gracanica and Midwestern America. The grave of the saint is located in the church of Saint Sava Monastery in Libertyville, IL.

His tombstone and the flooring over his relics were removed following a Liturgy and Akathist served by His Grace Bishop Longin on May 4, revealing that his casket was in a cement vault, which was opened the following day.

His casket was cracked during the removal process, releasing a sweet fragrance that quickly dissipated. Upon careful inspection of his relics it was discovered that Saint Mardarije’s hands were wholly intact, with skin, fingernails, and hair visible.

After carefully removing the vestments in which he had been buried, they found that his relics are in fact incorrupt from the knees up. His hair and beard are still soft, as if he had been buried yesterday.

Saint Mardarije’s relics were then washed with warm water and white wine and anointed with spikenard, and placed in a sticharion, awaiting their full vesting before his glorification in July.

Saint Mardarije labored tirelessly in America, and personally founded the Saint Sava Monastery where he was buried after his repose on December 12, 1935.The Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church added his name to the diptych of saints on the Church’s calendar at its May 29, 2015 meeting.

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