V. Rev. Protopresbyter Vasilije Vranic, MA, MPhil, Ph.D.

Dean of the Washington Deanery

 

Born in the family of an Orthodox priest and a professor of music, Fr. Vasilije was raised in Belgrade, Serbia. He began his priestly formation at the Seminary of St. Sava in Belgrade and continued at Athonias Ecclesiastical Academy on Mount Athos, Greece. He graduated from St. Sava School of Theology in Libertyville. He continued his graduate education in the United Kingdom studying at the Cambridge Theological Federation – Anglia Ruskin University where he received the degree of Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology. Two years later he also earned the degree of Master of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge. He completed his doctorate at Marquette University under the supervision of the Rt. Rev. Professor Alexander Golitzin (come Bishop of the Diocese of the South of the Orthodox Church in America).

At the invitation of His Eminence +Metropolitan Christopher, Fr. Vasilije moved to Milwaukee, WI, where he was ordained into diaconate and later into priesthood. While serving in Milwaukee, Fr. Vasilije worked on a number of pastoral and educational programs for adults and children (President of the Board of Directors of St. Sava Orthodox School [parochial school], Bible Study group, Fellowship of St. Simeon the Myrrhgusher, Christian Cinema, Senior Club, Church Bookstore, etc.).

His Eminence appointed Fr. Vasilije as the Director of Religious Education of the Metropolitanate of Midwestern America in 2008, and a year later as the Pastor of the Northern parish at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago. There, Fr. Vasilije led the Board of Education, which involves 11 different educational programs and served on the Board of Directors of St. Sava Academy (parochial school). He also served as the Prosecutor of the Ecclesiastical Court of the Diocese of New Gracanica – Midwestern America.

Fr. Vasilije has taught Church History, Christian Origins, and Patristics at Marquette University and Saint Xavier University. He taught Canon Law at St. Sava School of Theology from 2008-2019. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Center for the Study of Early Christianity, The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

In September 2004, Fr. Vasilije married Jelena Vranic (nee Petrovic), professor of music. They were blessed with two children, Petar and Mila.

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America, Fr. Vasilije ministers to the faithful in the Washington, D.C. area. His Grace appointed him the priest of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke Serbian Orthodox Church in Potomac, MD starting December 1st, 2017. In September 2022, His Grace appointed him the Dean of the Washington Deanery.