New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery - Нова Грачаница Српски Православни Манастир

One of the most beautiful Serbian Orthodox monasteries you will ever see! My parents were the second couple to be married here after it was newly built in 1984. Both my paternal grandparents are laid to rest in the cemetary.

I can tell probably the most beautiful Ortodox Monastery in Chicago area, The monastery itself is very pretty and the surrounding scenery is gorgeous. Really peaceful place!

I was passing by during sunset and took some shots

Beautiful and quiet place for your soul. Very good location and surrounding area.

Amazing Serbian hall and church. Perfect for your celebrations with great service and tasty Balkan food!

This is a beautifully curated church with an incredible collection of iconography and architecture. I would recommend anyone interested in Byzantine, Orthodox, or Serbian history/art to stop by.

Existing reviews detail the church’s beauty and its peaceful surroundings… and it truly is spectacular. However, I want to talk about the food served in the church hall!!The delicious, home cooked food! I didn’t get photos until we had already dug in, but everything was absolutely delicious…. The chicken, the pork, the veggies, the salad, the bread and everything else….really great! Thank you! Hvala!

Beautiful Monastery that is fairly new in terms of age however it has a spiritual and design connection with Gracanica Monastery in Serbia. One of the most beautiful ones in USA. The estate is also beautiful and it's situated by the lake so you can visit the Monastery and relax with friends/family in nice outside area

My son and I tried to visit a friend of ours, whom we had just found out had died recently. The obituary stated that our friend was buried here. We went here, got the run around from a man in the office, and was given a number to call to find out where he was buried. The priest we called told us that our friend might be buried right where we were. He promised to call us back the next day when he knew for sure where our friend was buried. He never called us back. It's amazing that neither one of them knew where our friend was buried. We got the feeling that we weren't welcome. We didn't get a good feeling from the people we talked to, and they definitely acted in a non-Christian way. The people we talked to were either poor examples of this church, or this church is a hypocritical church.

New Gracanica is a beautiful serbian monastery consisting of a church, serbian orthodox serbian seminary and a banquet hall. You will also find a scenic lake and picnic area. Coming from a mixed serbian -croatian background, I celebrate 2 christmases and 2 new years. And my birthday is on Dec 10. The serbian church is beautiful . You will marvel the icons covering the whole interior walls of the church. You will also see an upper level floor where you can hear a singing choir during liturgy. Here is another website you can view the church from the inside : http://www.newgracanica.com/english/monastery.html. The monastery is located in a suburb called Third Lake which is next to Grayslake, IL. You need to travel north on route 45 and turn left on Grant Ave. The monastery hosts many religious events like Christmas, Easter, and other holidays. There are also many picnics like in Labor Day and 4th of July. The church has interesting byzantine architecture where you will find from the outside.

Coming from a Serbian background as I do this is a place I have been going to for quite a few years not for the religious aspect but for the cultural enrichment and holiday entertainment ;) As the previous reviewer said they have annual holiday picnics on the grounds around church/monastery on the summer holidays of Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day which are one of the highlights of the year I look forward to year round. The grounds are around Third Lake (which is a lake and also a city of its own next to Grayslake) and the intersection is basically 45 N and Dada Dr. There is usually a entry fee of about $5.00 per person from what I can remember. Parking is in the grass and around the grounds where they allow it...Memorial Day weather is usually iffy so be prepared for some rain though usually it is not an all day thing and usually the picnic will continue within doors and under roofs of various sorts throughout the rain. They have cevapi (grilled sausage made from ground beef and pork) usually available along with a healthy dosage of onions, fresh Serbian bread, and some lamb which is usually tender enough to fall apart with the slightest touch all which can be bought with some tickets that you have to buy before...There is usually a stage set up with music and a lot of dancing. Beer is usually available (the domestic mainstream sh*t) for purchase with tickets. Typically there are vendors around the entrance of the grounds selling Serbian merchandise like shirts, jewelery, cds, books, and the like... The church and monastery are also beautiful (and their immediate grounds) and they have a small cemetery behind the church as well. A great place to get in touch with your Serbian/Balkan heritage, to learn a little about the aforementioned, to people-watch, or just to have an awesome summer time you will hopefully always remember fondly. Check it out and invite your friends!

Best people in lake county here. Monastery is beautiful and the food in the dining hall is fantastic. Look for the choir women, they are so fun and great to talk with. Great people, food , music, fun. I love it.