Elder Tadej (Thaddeus) of Vitovnica facts for kids

Elder Tadej (Thaddeus) of Vitovnica (born October 10, 1914 – died April 13, 2003) was a Serbian Orthodox Christian elder. An elder, also called a staret, is a wise spiritual guide. He was also a published author. He is well-known for teaching that our "thoughts determine the outcome of our lives."

Early Life and a Big Decision

The future Elder Thaddeus was born Tomislav Štrbulović. He was born in Vitovnitsa village in Serbia on October 6 (or 19), 1914. He was born early and was very weak. His parents quickly had him baptized. He was named Tomislav because it was the feast day of Saint Thomas. It is said that he opened his eyes only after his baptism.

Tomislav's mother passed away when he was a young boy. His father remarried twice. Tomislav found it hard to get along with his stepmothers. This caused many arguments at home.

He did not have many friends his age. As he grew up, he felt more and more alone. Despite family problems, Tomislav finished high school with good grades. He wanted to become a monk, which was his childhood dream. However, his father insisted he learn a trade. So, Tomislav went to a school to become a tailor.

He later thought about his life. He said, "Since my childhood, I realized that everyone serves someone or something. Parents serve their children, then children serve their parents. It occurred to me that if we all serve one another, I would rather serve God, as He is above everything."

Around this time, Tomislav became very ill. Doctors told him he had tuberculosis. They said he would die within five years without treatment. This illness changed Tomislav's life. He later remembered, "I decided to no longer live for this world. I would devote my last days to the Lord." After making this choice, he left the hospital on his own.

Finding His Path: Monastery Life

Tomislav had written to the Gornjak monastery a year before. Now, he went to the abbot, asking to become a novice. A Russian monk heard Tomislav talking to the abbot. The next day, the monk told Tomislav, "I know one monastery that lives by the rules you wish to follow. This is Milkovo monastery. Russian monks who fled from Valaam live there. There you will find what your soul is searching for."

On July 24, 1932, Tomislav arrived as a novice at Milkovo Monastery. It was a Russian-Serbian monastery. Living there, Tomislav learned the Russian language. This helped him greatly later on. He could read many books in Russian, which he loved to do all his life.

The monks at Milkovo monastery had a very strict prayer life. They had long services and daily liturgies. Tomislav could not find an experienced spiritual guide there. So, he studied on his own. He read many books on theology and the teachings of early Church Fathers.

At Milkovo monastery, Tomislav met Hieromonk John Maximovich. They enjoyed each other's company. They often had long talks while doing their monastery duties.

A year later, the abbot passed away. The situation at the monastery changed. Some monks decided to leave Milkovo. In May 1933, they moved to Gornjak monastery. Novice Tomislav went with them.

The year 1935 was important for Tomislav. He took his monk's vows at Gornjak monastery. He was given the name Thaddeus. Soon after, he became a Hierodeacon. In 1938, the year doctors had predicted he would die, Hierodeacon Thaddeus became a priest.

Challenges and Service During Wartime

When World War II began, Thaddeus and four other monks went to Belgrade. He lived in the Rakovica monastery until 1943. Then, the authorities arrested him. He was sentenced to death.

Father Thaddeus later said that an angel appeared to him. The angel showed him his future life path. Father Thaddeus was held in several prisons. In March, he was moved to the Voylovitsa monastery. Hieromonk Vasily Kostic remembered that Father Thaddeus was very weak. Yet, on March 13, he served the Divine Liturgy. He did this with Bishop Nicholas (Velimirovic).

After the War: A Spiritual Guide

From the late 1970s until 1981, Elder Thaddeus lived in Tuman monastery. There, he was a spiritual guide and confessor for the nuns. Many people came to see Father Thaddeus. He often worked day and night. He talked to people, heard their confessions, and prayed for the sick and those in need. This was a very tiring job for an old man. He said, "Praying for others, we bring a part of their sufferings upon ourselves."

Many people believed Elder Thaddeus could see into the future. But he never admitted it. He would jokingly say, "Well, yes, I definitely get some foresight after climbing on a windowsill."

The Elder's health slowly got worse. He had two heart attacks in the 1990s. But he continued to serve people until the early 2000s.

He passed away on March 13, 2003. He was buried at Vitovnica monastery. Many people who he guided spiritually honor him. This includes Serbians and Bosnians, even former Muslims he helped convert to Christianity.

Archimandrite John (Radosavljevic) spoke about Elder Thaddeus. He said, "People of Vitovnica and even of the entire country honor him as a great, exceptional confessor, man of prayer, and ascetic monk. His handsome face of a gray-haired old man was lit up with spiritual light and joy. Confessors like him are God's gracious gift to us in this difficult time."