Bishop Vasilije

His Grace Bishop Vasilije (Ljubomir) Kacavenda was born on the eve of WWII, on 19.12.1938 in Sarajevo. He completed his studies in Slavonski Brod and then attended the Theological Faculty of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Prizren. He completed his Theological studies at the Theological faculty in Belgrade. While in Belgrade, he completed his Masters on the theme of "Management and Religion." His monastic work began at the Lepavina Monastery and later was led to the Monastery Orahovici. Our Heavenly Father then led His Grace to the St. Nikola Monastery in Ozren, where on the 15th of September 1957 he took the monastic name of Vasilije. He remained at the Monastery in Ozren as a monk until 1959. On the 7th of January 1960, His Grace was ordained as Hiero Deacon and then went to Tuzla where he was appointed secretary to the Ecclesiastical Court for the Zvornik-Tuzla Diocese as well as becoming the Episcopal replacement for the Zvornik-Tuzla Diocese. As a result of his valuable and tireless work in the vineyards of the Lord, he was elevated to the status of Proto Deacon and Arch Deacon. In 1974, His Grace was then elevated to status of Proto Sindjel.

Upon the death of His Grace Bishop Longin in 1978, the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church chose Proto Sindjel Vasilije (Kacavenda) as the new Bishop of the Zvornik-Tuzla Diocese. The consecration of Proto Sindjel Vasilije (Kacavenda) was performed the 24th of June 1978 in the Cathedral Church in Belgrade. The Divine Liturgy was performed by His Holiness Patriarch German +

along with His Grace Bishop Visarion of Banat and His Grace Bishop Jovan of the Sabac-Valjevo Diocese, 10 priests, and 10 deacons of the Holy Serbian Orthodox Church. Several priests, monks, and worshipers in the Zvornik-Tuzla Diocese were also in attendance at His Grace Bishop Vasilije's consecration. All worshipers, and especially those attending from the Zvornik-Tuzla Diocese received blessings from their new Bishop, His Grace Bishop Vasilije.

The magnificent enthronement of His Grace Bishop Vasilije to the Throne of the Zvornik-Tuzla Diocese took place on the 16th of July 1978 in the Cathedral Church in Tuzla. Several thousand faithful from the Diocese and throughout attended this Holy celebration.

The arrival of His Grace Bishop Vasilije to the Zvornik-Tuzla Diocese was one of true gratitude. Sadly, the bloody and tragic conflict in 1990 led to eventual disintegration of the country and had a devastating effect of the Zvornik-Tuzla Diocese. At the beginning of the conflict, His Grace Bishop Vasilije was in Belgrade attending meetings prior to the opening of the regular gathering of the Hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox at their Sabor. His Grace Bishop Vasilije, due to the tragedy unfolding in Bosna-Hercegovina, was unable to return to the Zvornik-Tuzla Diocese. In 1992, His Grace temporarily conducted his Holy duties from the city of Bjeljina. After the war, His Grace Bishop Vasilije engaged in the task of rebuilding the churches destroyed and the construction of new churches in his Diocese.

 

His Grace received High Recognition from the Russian Orthodox Church.  He was awarded the Order of St. Sergei Radonjeskov, which was presented to him by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and all of Russia Aleksej II.

 

Together we pray to our Heavenly Father and Sv. Nikolai Archbishop Mirilikijdkog  and Sv. Vasilije of Ostrog, that he watch over our Bishop Vasilije and grant him good health, and a long life, with the joy of us here on Earth, the Angels in Heaven, and the joy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as was said by His Holiness Patriarch German + at the consecration of His Grace Bishop Vasilije.

 

May God Grant You Many Years to you, Your Grace Bishop Vasilije

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