Born in 1978 in the far northwest of beautiful Metohija in the ancient city of Peć, a city located at the foot of a mountain Prokletije near the river of Bistrica. His father, Very Rev. Slavko Bozic, protopresbyter-stavrophor, is a well-respected priest at the eminent Belgrade Church. Damjan completed elementary school, as well as music school in Belgrade.
In the fall of 1993, Damjan enrolled at St. Arsenius of Srem Seminary in Sremski Karlovci. After completing two years, he was transferred by the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church to the seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Prizren, Kosovo and Metohja. In May of 1998, Damjan graduated with the last class to graduate from the Prizren Seminary, as the war broke out in Kosovo and Metohija one month later.
Upon completion of his secondary studies, he enrolled at the Orthodox Faculty of Theology of Belgrade University. During his studies in Belgrade, Damjan lectured on religion at St. George Church in Belgrade and was very much involved in the parochial administration and parish ministries.
Upon the recommendation of the late Serbian Patriarch Pavle of blessed memory, Damjan was sent to the United States to study at St. Sava - Orthodox Faculty of Theology in Libertyville, Illinois in September 1999.
In July of 2003, he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity from St. Sava - Orthodox Faculty of Theology in Libertyville, Illinois.
In August of 2003, Damjan married Marnie Bozic, a graduate of the University of Illinois School of Law. Mrs. Bozic concentrates her practice in complex litigation, including general commercial matters and insurance coverage disputes.
His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher, of blessed memory, ordained Damjan to the Holy Diaconate on August 31, 2003, at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago. Upon his ordination, Deacon Damjan was appointed Clerk at the Metropolis Chancery, deacon to the Metropolitan, and Cathedral Deacon at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago.
Since September 2004, he has taught Serbian History and Orthodox Religion at St. Sava Academy, the Parochial School of Holy Resurrection Cathedral.
In 2008, Deacon Damjan received M.A. Degree in Applied Orthodox Theology from St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology of the University of Balamand. Graduation ceremony was held at the House of Studies, Antiochian Village, Ligonier, Pennsylvania in conjunction with the Clergy Symposium of the Antiochian Archdiocese. The diploma was conferred by His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America.
Three academic years (2008-2011) Deacon Damjan served as Dean of Students at St. Sava - Orthodox Faculty of Theology in Libertyville, Illinois.
In September of 2008, Deacon Damjan began Doctor of Ministry studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. All required exams Deacon Damjan completed in June of 2010.
He was awarded a Doctor of Ministry Degree on Saturday, May 7th, 2011, at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake following the successful completion of his doctoral studies and acceptance of his dissertation. The doctorate was conferred by His Eminence Francis Cardinal George of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
On August 7, 2011 His Grace Bishop Longin awarded Deacon Damjan the right to wear the red sash.
In addition to his duties, Deacon Damjan serves as editor of the Serbian Orthodox Source book, Church Directory and Calendar an official yearly publication of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America. He also served as secretary to the Ecclesiastical Court of the Metropolis of Libertyville and Chicago.
In August 2011, Deacon Damjan together with Fr. Darko Spasojevic, recorded a CD called "All Night Vigil." Choral responses where sung by the members of the Serbian Singing Federation led by the following directors: Mrs. Tamara Petijevic, Mr. Dimitry M. Gortinsky, and Protodeacon Vadim Gan. This project was part of a three-day choral workshop hosted by SSS Branko Radichevich at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral.
During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in celebration of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Monastery Slava at New Gracanica Monastery on Friday, October 14th 2011, His Grace Bishop Longin of New Gracanica and Midwestern America Diocese, elevated Deacon Damjan to the rank of Protodeacon.
He attends voice lessons and solfege with Professor Loraine Manifold of Park Ridge, Illinois.
When time permits Protodeacon Damjan enjoys fencing épée style at the local fencing club to which he belongs.
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