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The terms of the agreement were "cash over a purchase-money mortgage of $30,000", and included a clause giving Trinity Corporation the right to repurchase if the buyer discontinued using the property for religious purposes". It was as future Dean of the Cathedral Rev. Shoukletovich wrote to Dr. Fleming, ". . . a matter of Church to Church, to continue God's work among those that have been deprived of that privilege in the past". Title passed to the Serbians on the first of March 1943 with Dr. Fleming explaining in the New York Times that it "would become a real center . . . with religious, educational, and cultural contacts" for the Serbian Orthodox faith.

On June 11, 1944, with over 1,400 Serbian-Americans present, the church was consecrated by the late Bishop Dionisije with Bishop Manning participating. Among the clergy present were: Rev. Dr. Frederick Fleming, Canon West, Bishop Polizoides, representing Archbishop Athenogoras of the Greek Archdiocese, Bishop Makarije of the Russian Orthodox Church, five Serbian Orthodox priests from America, and St. Sava's very own Rev. Dushan Shoukletovich. Lay attendees were Constantin Fotich, the Yugoslav Ambassador-in-Exile, Assemblyman John J . Lamula, who represented New York Governor Thomas Dewey, and George Philles of the Greek Orthodox Church in Buffalo, N.Y. The kum at the consecration was Mr. Bozidar Martinovich of Gary, Indiana.

This impressive service, as the one 75 years earlier, symbolized the close friendship between the Episcopal and Holy Orthodox Churches. Prayers were offered in "full and complete fellowship in the faith of the Lord and Jesus Christ" (two years later the Cathedral Choir of St. Sava would sing at the 150th Anniversary of the 1796 founding of the Trinity Church Parish). A reception dinner followed at the Hotel McAlpin on Broadway and 34th Street, and the next morning Serbs all over New York woke to Monday's New York Times headline: "Serbians Dedicate Cathedral in City."

Though the dream of having a Serbian church in New York City was now realized, the real work of creating a cohesive parish was to follow. Without the vision, charisma and organizational abilities of Rev. Shoukletovich the church may not have progressed into such a viable and important Christian community so quickly. If any one person can be singled out for seeing to the proper development of the Cathedral in its formative years it was he. A Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, and former attorney, Rev. Shoukletovich spoke fluent Serbian and English, an important factor in communicating with both immigrants and the American born. His persistence, wit and familiarity with the intellectual currents of his time, combined with his unwavering faith and optimism made Rev. Shoukletovich the perfect minister for New York City. For 14 years, Father Shoukey (as he was affectionately called by his congregation) enthusiastically worked to enhance parish spiritual life as Dean of the Cathedral. Skillfully and wisely, he led his congregation in times of war, and of peace, when prosperity was enjoyed and when economic uncertainty affected the lives and circumstances of his parish. Blessed with the ability to truly inspire others, he moved a tiny group of Serbs to accomplish more under his leadership than they ever considered possible in their private thoughts. On November 21, 1951, he was given the Grand Cross of St. Sava Third Degree by King Peter II, and appointed by his decree as Instructor of Religion and Serbian Language to Prince Alexander. Shortly before his retirement from the Cathedral, in April of 1955, Rev. Shoukletovich was given the Medal of St. Joanikije (the first Serbian Patriarch in the 14th Century) and was awarded the title Dean Emeritus for life by the Board of the Cathedral. He passed away in 1981 in San Diego, after further associations with St. Elijah Church in Merriville, Indiana, St. Petka Monastery in St. Marcos, California and other parishes throughout the west.

As capable as Rev. Shoukletovich was at administering the Cathedral, it would not have flourished without the commitment of the Cathedral Executive Board, the Auditing Board and the Board of Trustees. Responsible for the temporal obligations of the Cathedral, the Executive Board - headed by Dushan B. Tripp (Tripcevich) saw to its proper direction. A dignified man, and a respected and successful banker, Mr. Tripp (as everyone called him) together with Rev. Shoukletovich, saw to the establishment of proper administrative procedures, a Circle of Serbian Sisters (St. Petka), the development of a Christian social life, a youth group (Omladina), and an active church choir led by several enthusiastic directors over the years such as Madam Slavianski, Michael (Misha) Boro Petrovich, Deacon George Lazich, Dushan Georgevich and future priest, Dragoljub Sokich. Mr. Tripp, a former secretary in Michael Pupin's Sloga served as Cathedral President for almost 10 years. His distinguishing presence, and accomplished demeanor added a sense of integrity and respectability to those early critical years.

In its early years, the Cathedral served as a magnet to Serbs from all areas of the country and the world. Academy award winning actor Karl Malden found his way to St. Sava's on occasion during his early theater days, as did actor Brad Dexter, and the 1950 Rookie of the Year Walt Dropo of the Boston Red Sox. King Peter II then in exile. participated in church services with Queen Alexandra and their son Crown Prince Alexander. On the occasion of his first visit to the Cathedral in 1944 he was led in by a colorguard of the American-Serbian Society carrying a banner presented to them many years before by his grandfather King Peter of Serbia. During his sermon, Rev. Shoukletovich addressed the congregation saying: "As we celebrate Easter . . . thousands of Serbs who are starving and homeless in Europe look to this King as a symbol of unity . . . no bells will ring in the towers of the churches in Yugoslavia this Easter to call the faithful to prayer because God has been forbidden by the unbelievers ruling the country. Today in Yugoslavia, as during the first Easter, people meet behind closed doors and greet each other with whispered words of: 'Christ is Risen'. The time will come when the young King will go back to a free Yugoslavia and take his rightful throne. Long live the Kingdom of Karageorgevich!" The Cathedral was also a magnet for people of less renown as well. Throughout the ten year immigration, wave following World War II, the Cathedral provided the only meeting ground for Serbs in New York City. The new immigrants clung to their Serbian language, traditions and customs in the new world. They felt the need to preserve their native cultural patterns, and the Cathedral provided the forum. But the Cathedral was also instrumental in helping the newcomers assimilate into their new nation, helping them adjust, to learn its language, customs and democratic principles. It also provided them with Christian fellowship and understanding as well as financial help. For a great many years young men new to the city slept in the Cathedral's third floor offices for a night or two until they found jobs. Eventually many of these immigrants moved on to other destinations, some even to help found new churches in other areas of the country.

The spirit of any church era is clearly marked by the lives, writings and influences of her apostles. Among these luminaries stands the late Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich, who during the post war years made St. Sava Cathedral his home. A prolific writer and eloquent orator; a prophet and visionary; a mystic and apologist; an effective archpastor and a diplomatic statesman; Bishop Nikolai's presence at the Cathedral created a sensation and a feeling of specialness. The echelon of intellectual society in New York City flocked to him spellbound. His beloved Srbiantsi trailed him night and day asking questions and advice about their concerns, all of which he found time to respond to during his busy schedule.

Bishop Nikolai's presence at St. Sava Cathedral, which began in 1948, provided a great source of hope, courage, and grace to the parish. He seemed to be everything to all people, not only a Bishop, but also close friend. As "luminary-in-residence" and "elder statesman", parishioners would respond in kind with great love and attention by seeing to it that meals were provided for him, his living quarters maintained, his sermons typed, and that he would not forget to take his medicine, which he would mischievously do from time-to-time. Bishop Nikolai served St. Sava's Cathedral while teaching at St. Vladimir's Seminary in Crestwood, NY. Shortly before his death he left the Cathedral to teach at St. Tikhon's Seminary in South Canaan, PA, where he continued to commune with his spiritual children in New York City in letters and telephone conversations. On the morning of March 18, 1956 the news reached the office that Bishop Nikolai had passed away during the night. Funeral services at the Cathedral were arranged where Bishop Nikolai laid in state for three days before being buried at St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, Illinois.

Among Bishop Nikolai's many friends and admirers was Canon Edward N. West. Canon West was a remarkable man who became deeply involved with his Orthodox Christian friends in the New York area. The inception and early history of the Cathedral would be very different were it not for him. With a dramatic and flamboyant personality, Canon West was well respected by the St. Sava parish and enjoyed his part in the cultural life of the Cathedral by attending functions at the hall where he would indulge in his love of Serbian food, particularly sarma.

Through Canon West's Anglican contacts in England following WWII, he arranged to bring to the United States five young Serbian men: Mihailo Jovanovich, Veselin Kesich, Milan Kovachevich, Bogdan Mishkovich and Dragoljub Sokich - all to study at Columbia University, and St. Vladimir's Seminary, providing for their scholarships and housing, while at the same time being their kind friend. To that group, Bishop Nikolai asked that two more students be added - Zoran Milkovich who was already in the United States, and Milan Savich from Europe. West agreed and further responded with his usual keen interest in assisting and encouraging other Serbian students to join St. Vladimir's Seminary. Throughout the years, Canon West, Knight Commander of the Royal Order of St. Sava remained a faithful friend to the Serbian Orthodox of New York City. He passed away on January 3, 1990 in his quarters at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Following the retirement of Rev. Shoukletovich, and a brief stay by Rev. Dushan Klipa, Rev. Firmilian Ocokoljic was installed as new Dean of the Cathedral. A benign and comforting man, Rev. (and subsequently Bishop) Firmilian moved to consolidate the impressive gains made in the prior years. Led by his effective and intelligent guidance along with the important contributions of assistant priest, Rev. (and subsequently Bishop) Vasilije Veinovic, the Cathedral built up the largest Serbian community in the United States. Throughout his tenure St. Sava's continued as an active parish where many people came to participate in the wonderful cultural and spiritual life the Cathedral offered. They came to hear visiting dignitaries, speakers and lecturers such as former cabinet members and ambassadors of King Alexander I, artist Danilo Popovich a successful painter of his time with offices both in Rome and New York, and to help Prince Tomislav and Princess Marguerita celebrate the Karageorgevich Slava, St. Andrew's Day, in the Cathedral Hall. During this period the Cathedral under the committeship of Dushan Tripp and Tihomir Topalovic unveiled the bust of Dr. Michael Pupin in the Cathedral courtyard. A year later it would also place one of Bishop Nikolai through the efforts of his former students. Throughout the 1950's and 60's the Cathedral also endorsed the immigration of hundreds of individuals from the former Yugoslavia through the Church World Service under the Refugee Relief Act of 1953 by the Department of State.

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