Biography of the St. Sava Parish Priest

Protojerej Stavrofor Petar Jovanovic was born to Dragoljub and Slavka Jovanovic in Osecina, Serbia on January 8, 1947. Being brought up in a religious family, he naturally dreamed of becoming a priest. He was also influenced to study theology by his parish priest and students who were already in seminary from his church. The church of Osecina is well known for sending the highest number of candidates to seminary.

After finishing public school at his birthplace, Prota Petar attended the Seminary at Prizren in 1961. In 1964, he transferred to seminary of Sremski Karlovci. After his graduation in 1966/67 from the Seminary of Sremski Karlovci, he continued further studies in Theology and History at the University of Belgrade. In 1970 he was sent to Dublin, Ireland to represent the College of Theology at the conference of the World Christian Movement. From December, 1970 to May, 1971 he studied the English language at the Ampleforth College of York in England. In 1971, Prota Petar graduated from his theological studies in Belgrade, and was sent by the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church to teach at the seminary of Krka Monastery, near Sibenik.

On September 9, 1972, Prota Petar was married. That same year he was ordained into priesthood by Bishop John (Jovan Velimirovic) and assigned to the parish of Sabac, Serbia, at Saint Paul and Peter’s Cathedral.

In 1977, Prota Petar was accepted to the American Midwestern Diocese. Shortly after his arrival in Chicago, Bishop Firmilian assigned him as an Associate priest to the parish of Milwaukee’s Saint Sava Cathedral, where he stayed for two years. In 1980, Prota Petar was appointed by Bishop Gregory of the American Western Diocese to the parish of Saint Sava Church in San Gabriel, California. While in San Gabriel, Prota Petar attended California State University of Los Angeles and worked towards his Master’s degree in Philosophy.

In 1986, Prota Petar was appointed by His Grace Bishop Sava, to be the secretary of the Ecclesiastical church court, He also appointed him to be the Spiritual Father Confessor for Diocese Circle of Serbian Sisters. His Grace Bishop Hrisostom elevated Prota Petar in 1988 to the rank of Very Reverend (Prota). On the recommendation of His Grace Bishop Jovan of the Serbian Western-American Diocese, the Holy Sinod rewarded Prota Petar with the pectoral cross, the highest clergy reward given in the Serbian church.

Prota Petar was also involved in two very important church projects: The Church Hall in Sabac, Serbia and the new Saint Sava Church in San Gabriel, California. Prota Petar has worked diligently on the Church interior mosaic project. With Hugh Howser he made a beautiful TV show that features the church interior and the Serbian culture.

Please attend the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am and meet father Petar.     

St. Sava Parish Priest