Protojerej Stavrofor Marko Pantić

V. Rev. Marko Pantić, fell asleep in the Lord on February 23, 2024. Beloved husband of Protinica Katarina for 42 years. Loving father of Bogdan (Ivana) and Rev. Nebojša (Stephanie). Devoted son of the late Velemir and the late Jelisaveta.

Proud grandfather of Maksim, Simeon, Paraskevi and Elias.

Fr. Marko was born in the village Planinica in Bosna on May 22, 1942. At 15, he went to seminary in Prizren, and completed his studies in the Belgrade Theological Faculty. Upon graduation, he held teaching positions in Krka and Sremski Karlovci as a professor. Fr. Marko took great pride in the achievement of his students within church life, such as His Grace Bishop LONGIN of Midwestern America, His Grace Bishop MITROFAN of Canada, His Grace Bishop VASILIJE of Srem, His Grace Bishop JEFREM of Banja Luka, and many priests too numerous to list. In between his tenures in Krka and Karlovci, Fr. Marko spent four years in Rome where he obtained a masters degree in Christian Ethics & Dogmatics, and two years in Berlin conducting social work among Serbian guest workers. Upon completing his work in Berlin, Fr. Marko traveled to Russia to conduct primary research for his doctorate on Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, which lead to the the publication of a book on the Saint's ethical teachings. In 1981, Fr. Marko married his devoted wife, Katarina in Sremski Karlovci in a wedding officiated by His Grace the late Bishop ANDREJ and ten priests, and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood soon after. Fr. Marko came to America in 1988 and continued his deep passion of theological instruction at the Saint Sava Theological Faculty in Libertyville. In addition, he was rector of Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church in Racine (Braun Road) from 1997 until 2012. Upon retirement after 45 years as a professor, Fr. Marko released a compilation of a long life of teaching and thoughts on the topics of Christian Ethics. In later life, Fr. Marko was well known at New Gračanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery, where he participated in serving liturgy every week upon his retirement. Fr. Marko was a polyglot who spoke Serbian, Russian, English, German and Italian. He was very pleased with his sons' religious and professional lives. Most of all, he felt deeply blessed to become a grandfather and enjoyed his relationship with all of his grandchildren. He had a special bond with his first, Paraskevi. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten, by his devoted family, former parishioners, and great body of students.

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM, Thursday, February 29, at Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery, 32377 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville, followed immediately by Opelo (Funeral Service) and interment. Daća (Luncheon) to be held following interment at New Gračanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery, 35240 N. Grant Avenue, Third Lake.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made either to Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church, Racine, WI (Braun Road), or to Saint Luke Serbian Orthodox Church, Leander, TX (https://stlukeaustin.org/donate/). Arrangements by Eternal Light Funerals. (847) 508-7763.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Protojerej Stavrofor Marko Pantić, please visit our floral store.