08/17/2026
In Loving Memory of Archimandrite Thomas (Fr. Tomo) Kazich Beloved Priest, Teacher, and Friend May 9, 1943 – August 14, 2026
For more than 40 years, our beloved Father Tomo dedicated his life to the religious education and spiritual growth of Serbian Orthodox youth. After earning his Master of Divinity from St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, he worked with the Orthodox Christian Education Commission, authoring four religious education manuals and training teachers across the Church.
Ordained to the priesthood in 1982, he went on to lovingly serve the Australian Diocese for ten years, where he established the first diocesan children's camp at St. Sava Monastery in Hall and helped organize smaller camps at parishes throughout the Diocese. He also founded a book center to bring Orthodox educational and spiritual literature to the faithful he cherished so dearly.
Later, as Diocesan Director of Education for New Gracanica Monastery, he oversaw educational programs and directed the Diocesan summer camp program, crafting curriculum materials for religious classes at camp with the same warmth and care he brought to everything he touched. He founded and edited the Diocesan Little Falcons Magazine, showcasing the talents of faithful young contributors through art, writing, and word puzzles, and served for years as editor of the Diocesan Observer.
Generations of children and young people came to know and love their faith because of him. His gentle guidance, his patience, and his deep devotion shaped countless hearts, and his legacy lives on in every camper, student, and reader he so lovingly touched.
The Funeral Divine Liturgy will begin at 9:30 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11 AM and interment on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery and Cemetery in Third Lake, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, at Father Tom's request, donations may be made to New Gracanica Monastery, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery, or St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, New York.
Vječnaja pamjat, dear Father Tom. You are, and will always be, deeply loved and dearly missed.
May his memory be eternal. 🕊️
Full obituary: https://www.burnettdane.com/obituaries/tomo-kazich/ #!/Obituary
