St. Romanos Choir, Dr. Peter Jermihov, founder and artistic director
On Sunday, October 18, 2026, the faithful gathered at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago for a truly heavenly and unforgettable celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
The occasion was the world premiere, sung in divine worship, of The Serbian Liturgy by composer Kurt Sander – a new setting of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom rooted in the rich tradition of Serbian Orthodox chant. Drawing on the melodies preserved by Kornelije Stanković and Stevan Mokranjac, Dr. Sander has given these beloved chants new life, keeping them clear and recognizable to the worshipper while clothing them in a fresh and prayerful harmonic language. The result was a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting experience.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Grace Bishop Serafim, concelebrated by V. Rev. Darko Spasojević, Cathedral Dean, and V. Rev. Dobrivoje Milunović, together with Protodeacon Jovan Aničić. A great number of faithful filled the Cathedral and joined in this prayerful and blessed gathering.
Adding extraordinary beauty to this sacred celebration were the heavenly voices of the St. Romanos Choir, under the exceptional direction of Dr. Peter Jermihov, founder and artistic director of the Society of Saint Romanos the Melodist. From the opening litany to the final blessing, the choir carried the prayers of the congregation with remarkable warmth, precision and devotion.
A Gift in Honor of “Branko Radičević”
The Serbian Liturgy was commissioned by the Society of Saint Romanos the Melodist and made possible by a generous grant from the Hilandar Foundation, in honor of the Serbian Singing Society “Branko Radičević” – which has preserved Serbian Orthodox singing and promoted beauty in divine worship at our Cathedral since 1906. Following the Liturgy, the Branko Radičević Society hosted a celebratory luncheon in the Cathedral social hall, where clergy, singers, the composer and parishioners shared in fellowship and gratitude.
At the luncheon, Jelena Stojaković, choir director of the Serbian Singing Society “Branko Radičević” and executive secretary of the Society of Saint Romanos – who was instrumental in bringing this project to life – greeted the guests and thanked all who supported the project and the day’s celebration. She expressed particular joy that a new Serbian Liturgy had been born here, in the diaspora.
Dr. Jermihov on the Vision Behind the Project
Dr. Jermihov welcomed all present and thanked them for being in church for the premiere and for staying for lunch to support the work of the Society of Saint Romanos the Melodist. He expressed special gratitude to the Cathedral clergy and community, remarking that he often comes to Fr. Darko with his lofty ideas and always feels heard – above all on the idea of creativity in the Church and of commissioning new liturgical works and music.
He then shared how the project came to be. As founder and artistic director of the Society, his vision is to commission, promote and introduce new music in the Orthodox Church. The Society’s successful projects to date include a new Greek Liturgy composed by Fr. Ivan Moody, of blessed repose, and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the Russian tradition by Kurt Sander. The latter was first composed in English and professionally recorded, earning a Grammy nomination; it has since been translated into Church Slavonic and published in Russia.
The Serbian Liturgy is unique: it is the first complete Divine Liturgy to be composed in many decades in Serbia, and the first ever in the United States. How fitting, Dr. Jermihov noted, that such a worthy project was conceived and premiered in the diaspora.
Hierarchical Gramatas
In recognition of their devotion to the beauty of Orthodox worship, Hierarchical Gramatas from His Eminence Metropolitan Longin were presented by His Grace Bishop Serafim to Dr. Gradimir Vučković of the Hilandar Foundation, Dr. Peter Jermihov and composer Kurt Sander.
Only the Beginning
Sunday’s premiere is only the first step. The Society’s plans for The Serbian Liturgy include:
Taking it “on the road” – God willing, singing the Liturgy in major Serbian cathedrals across North America, including Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and Boston.
A pilgrimage to Serbia in 2027 – twelve singers from the United States joining twelve singers from Serbia to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the most sacred temples of our people, from Gračanica in Kosovo to the Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade and St. Nicholas in Novi Sad, among others.
A professional recording, so that this work may be preserved for future generations.
Sharing the score with Serbian choirs in Serbia and throughout the diaspora, so that it may enter their liturgical repertoire.
Future new-music projects of the Society include an Opelo (memorial service) and an ancient Serbian Liturgy.
Support the Society
Projects like this require funding. As a not-for-profit organization, the Society of Saint Romanos the Melodist relies on donations and grants to bring its projects and vision to fruition. You can support the Society’s work at www.societyromanos.org/donate.
With Gratitude
Through the beauty of sacred music, prayer and divine worship, we truly felt Heaven present on Earth. It was a magnificent and blessed Sunday – one that will remain forever in our hearts.
We thank His Grace Bishop Serafim, composer Kurt Sander, Dr. Peter Jermihov and the St. Romanos Choir, the Society of Saint Romanos the Melodist, the Serbian Singing Society “Branko Radičević,” and all the faithful whose prayers and presence made this day so blessed. We are especially grateful to the generous sponsors whose support made this project possible: Jovan and Jelena Govedarica; the Hilandar Foundation, Gradimir and Marija Vučković; the Steve & Delores Sarovich Foundation; and the Paul & Mary Yovovich Charitable Fund, Paul and Mary Yovovich.
Reprinted from Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Chicago (October 21, 2026).
