

Hieromartyr Branko Dobrosavljevic
Branko Dobrosavljevic was born in the
village of Skadar near Vojnic on January 4, 1886. He completed Grammar
school as well as the Seminary in Sremski Karlovci in 1908. He was ordained
deacon on March 15, and presbyter on March 22, 1909. He performed his
duties in the villages of Buvaca, Radovica and Veljun. Branko received
St. Sava's Order and Yugoslav Crown Order of the Fifth Degree.
On the Feast of St. George, May 6, 1942, - the very day of his own
Slava - Branko was arrested by the Ustase, headed by Ivan Sajfor from
Veljun. Over 500 Serbs were arrested that day, among them Dimitrije
Skorupan, parish priest of Cvijanovic Brdo, and Nebojsa, priest Branko's
son. At first they were imprisoned in police station in Veljun, and
next day (May 7) they were taken away and killed in the woods called
"Kestenovac", near Hrvatski Blagaj. The Ustase forced priest
Branko to perform the service for the repose of the soul of the dead
to his own son Branko, who was alive at the time. In 1946 priest Branko's
martyr relics and the remains of the other killed Serbs were transported
to a common grave in Veljun.
At the regular session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian
Orthodox Church, priest Branko Dobrosavljevic was canonized and his
name was entered into the List of Names of the Serbian Church Saints.
TROPARION TO
HIEROMARTYR BRANKO (Fourth Tone)
O holy Hieromartyr Branko, you lent yourself to
the apostles' way of life and succeeded them on their throne.
Inspired by God, you found confirmed your meditation by practice
and prayer; wherefore you became a perfect teacher of truth, fighting
for the faith unto the shedding of your blood. Intercede with
Christ God that He may save our souls.
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