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May 07
0

More than a dozen groups to take stage at Intercultural Dance Festival 2017 – Saturday, May 20

By | Folklore Groups, General Information/News | No Comments

The Intercultural Dance Festival 2017 takes the stage Saturday, May 20 as Srbadija Folklore plays host to ethnic dance groups from around the Midwest and Canada at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN.

Srbadija Folklore, the youth folklore dance group at St. Sava, is diligently confirming dance groups who will be performing in this special showcase of dance from different cultures and delight all with Serbian cuisine and the famous bake sale available during the event. So far 12 different dance groups have confirmed they will be performing and will be sharing their talents.

This will be the third consecutive year of the Intercultural Festival hosted in the new Pavilion at St. Sava that draws hundreds of people and unites through culture and dance.

This year there will be some familiar dance groups from previous festivals and some new additions to the lineup. More details of the names of the groups performing and some background about what you can expect to experience will be posted in the weeks and days leading up to the event.

This year groups representing Serbian, Polish, Greek, and other Eastern European nationalities will be performing, with more groups still joining the lineup. Performers this year will be traveling from as far away as Alberta, Niagara Falls, and Ontario in Canada.

Previous dance festivals have featured groups representing different regions of Serbia, Mexico, Greece, Ireland, and India in the performance.

Please save the Saturday, May 20 date to join us for the Third Annual Intercultural Festival, hosted by Srbadija Folklore, at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN 46410.

 

May 06
0

Stella Markovich – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

By | General Information/News, Obituaries & Memorials | No Comments

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Stella Markovich. Memory eternal.

Stella Markovich, age 89 of Chesterton passed away on May 1, 2017 at Symphony of Chesterton.

She was born on March 1, 1928 in Gary, IN to Nick and Katie Wukich, both of whom preceded her in death.

Stella graduated from Gary Froebel High School and Indiana University in Bloomington, with a degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career overseas, where she taught in Germany and the Netherlands.

After returning to the US, Stella worked as a teacher and a librarian in the Gary Community School Corporation and lectured on library science at Indiana University Northwest, Purdue University Northwest and Valparaiso University.

Stella finished out her forty-five year career in education working as coordinator for the Urban Teacher Education Program with Indiana University Northwest.

Stella is survived by her brother, Dan (Wenonah) Wukich of Chesterton; grandson, Joseph (Sean) Markovich of Valparaiso; step-son, Joseph (Remedios) Markovich of Valparaiso; nieces: Kathy (Robert) Pierce of Ogden Dunes, Donna (Timothy) Gallagher of Bristol, UK, Niki (John) Sakelaris of Porter; great nieces Hannah and Melanie Sakelaris; great nephews Nicholas Gallagher and Daniel Sakelaris, as well as many loving and cherished friends.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles Markovich on July 2, 2001, her sister, Rosemary Rukavina, and brother-in-law Emil Rukavina.

Stella was an avid reader and belonged to book clubs at the Chesterton United Methodist Church and the Westchester Public Library. In addition to reading, she loved to travel and was an excellent cook. She enjoyed spending time with her wonderful neighbors at the Fifth Street Condominiums in Chesterton and also at the Duneland YMCA.

She was a member of the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and the Lake County Retired Teachers Association. Stella will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

The family will be hosting a celebration of Stella’s life at a later date. A special memorial service will take place immediately following the Divine Liturgy Sunday, May 7, 2017 at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Memorial donations may be given to: St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN 46410; Westchester Public Library, 200 W Indiana Ave, Chesterton, IN 46304; or to the Duneland Family YMCA, 215 Roosevelt St, Chesterton, IN 46304. Arrangements are under the direction of White-Love Funeral Home, Chesterton.

Apr 27
0

Grounds and building clean-up day at Serbian Orthodox Monastery in New Carlisle, Indiana – Saturday, May 13

By | General Information/News | No Comments

The Sisterhood of the Nativity of the Mother of God Serbian Orthodox Monastery of New Carlisle, Indiana is hosting a special grounds and building clean-up day Saturday, May 13.

Members and parishioners of the Serbian Orthodox Churches throughout the Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwest America are sought to provide a day of volunteer service to support this special spiritual oasis.

A variety of projects with a wide range of skill and ability levels are available where you can make a tremendous impact with your day of service.

There is work to be done outside around the grounds and cleaning up the property lines, but also work to be done among the buildings, cleaning both the interior and exteriors of the buildings.

Projects include power washing to be done around the facilities, raking, cutting small trees and removal of debris throughout the grounds. All skill and ability levels are needed – from pulling weeds by hand to using more complex equipment like chainsaws and line-trimmers.

Volunteers are urged to bring their own equipment so as much can be accomplished as possible. Bring gloves, protective eyewear, hand saws, hand pruning shears, chainsaws, line trimmers, power washers, buckets, sponges, and other appropriate items.

Basically, bring the tools that you have that match your volunteer abilities as equipment on-site is limited. You will accomplish the most when you bring your skills and the equipment/materials you are most comfortable using.

With ages ranging into the 70s among the Sisters of the Nativity of the Mother of God Serbian Orthodox Monastery, there is much physical work they are unable to perform on their own and your assistance provides a priceless level of support.

The Sisters will help to feed the volunteers working throughout the day and ask that you RSVP to confirm your ability to work for the day so they may prepare enough food for all those attending.

You may confirm your ability to volunteer by calling 574-654-7994 to speak with or leave a message for Mati Paraskava.

Volunteer work will take place throughout the day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time zone.

There is also a church service that will take place at 6:00 p.m. where all volunteers are also invited to attend. Please bring a change of clothes to change from your volunteer work clothes to attire suitable for the church service.

Please dress appropriately for the weather as this time of the year can sometimes be unpredictable. Please also be advised that wearing shorts on the monastery grounds are discouraged for both men and women. Men are encouraged to wear jeans or slacks, women should wear dress, jeans, or slacks.

 

Apr 23
0

Radojka Josifovski – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

By | General Information/News, Obituaries & Memorials | No Comments

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Radojka Josifovski. Memory eternal.

Radojka Josifovski, age 56, of Hobart passed away in her home surrounded by her loved ones on Friday, April 21 2017.

Born in Raduc, Lika – Former Yugoslavia – on January 2, 1961 to the late Milan Pejnovic and surviving Darinka Pejnovic, she immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager and settled in Hobart, IN. She was an active member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church who found much comfort in her faith.

Rada was affectionately known as a woman who was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She was a selfless person with a heart of gold who was always caring for others, cherished spending time with family and friends, and who found the most joy in loving her three sons, Sasho, Jovan, and Michael. While God sent her to us for a short time, she was truly an angel who left a lasting impression on many hearts.

She was preceded in death by her dear Father, Milan Pejnovic, Aunt Danica Pejnovich, and Cousin Dusko Sunajac. Rada is survived by her loving children Sasho Josifovski, Jovan (Nicole) Josifovski, and Michael Josifovski; Mother, Darinka Pejnovic; Brothers – Dusan (Danica) Pejnovic, Jovo (Gordana) Pejnovic, Nikola (Vera) Pejnovic; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, Kumovi and dearest friends.

Funeral Services will take place Tuesday, April 25, 2017, directly at 10:00 a.m. at St. Sava Church, (9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN) with V. Rev. Marko Matic, officiating. Interment, Calumet Park Cemetery.

Visitation will take place Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN. A Pomen Service will take place at 7:00 p.m. May Her memory be eternal! For further info, please phone 219-736-5840.

Apr 17
0

Planning committee for Serb Fest 2017 meets – Sunday, Apr. 23

By | Fundraising, General Information/News, Serb Fest | No Comments

The planning committee for Serb Fest 2017 will meet Sunday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. in the Pavilion in preparation for the annual festival taking place August 4, 5, and 6 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana.

Everyone is welcome to attend and contribute to the planning of this important and special annual festival.

The goal of this meeting will be to review a new proposed Serb Fest layout, discuss and assign area leads, discuss items regarding publicity, music, and raffle.

In these early planning stages, questions about the festival, volunteers, donations, and any other feedback may be directed to the Serb Fest 2017 Planning Committee Chairmen Ray Radjenovich (ray.radjenovich@saintsava.net) and Vlade Stevanovic (vlade.stevanovic@saintsava.net).

For more than three decades the Serb Fest at St. Sava has been among the most celebrated cultural festivals in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. Music, dancing, barbecue lamb and pork, cevaps, a variety of other Serbian classic dishes, and the Famous Serbian Bake will all return this summer, along with more special announcements evolving in the coming weeks.

Tours of the Church interior will be available along with a special exhibit by the Historical Society at St. Sava Church in the museum located in the North Wing of the Church complex. The main activities of the festival will take place in the newly completed Pavilion, one of the most modern event venue facilities in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, available for rental to the general public throughout the year for weddings, business meetings, conferences, and conventions.

While the emphasis of Serb Fest is the celebration of culture, it is also important to note that Serb Fest serves as a primary fundraiser to support the aims and programs of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church throughout the entire year (learn more about the aims of the church).

It takes support of the entire congregation and the wider Northwest Indiana community to make Serb Fest the success it has been for generations. As the committee seeks to build the best festival experience to date, the entire planning committee expresses appreciation to the volunteers and visitors who have enjoyed the festival over the years and continue to provide support.

The St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation looks forward to welcoming you to Serb Fest 2017 – August 4, 5, & 6.

View memories from last year as we prepare to announce the newest details for Serb Fest 2017 at the www.serbfest.org website.

Apr 15
0

Resurrection Matins at St. Sava in Merrillville begin at 11:30 p.m. – Saturday, Apr. 15

By | General Information/News, Religious Observances | No Comments

Join us for the solemn Resurrection Matins beginning at 11:30 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana.

The reason we begin the Resurrection Matins so close to to midnight is because it was in the very early hours of the morning that Christ stood resurrect.

When we enter the church tonight, we enter a darkened church, lights turned off, Christ’s body on the Plastanica (Holy Shroud) still in the tomb. The priest will bring out a single lit candle and all the parishioners will light their candles from it and share the light with one another as they begin a procession outside the church.

In the procession around the church three times, the walk symbolically represents the myrrh bearing women who went to the tomb in the early morning to find His body no longer there. When we arrive at the front door of the church at the conclusion of procession the priest begins the Matin Service. As the priest knocks on the door of the church, which represents the tomb of Christ at this point, the doors open revealing the tomb is empty with all the lights in the church are turned on symbolizing that Christ is resurrected.

Holy Week Schedule of Services at St. Sava Church – Merrillville, Indiana

LAZARUS SATURDAY LAZARUS SATURDAY – APRIL 8th 2017

  • Confession at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – VRBICA
  • Holy Communion for children

PALM SUNDAY PALM SUNDAY – APRIL 9th 2017

  • Confession at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM

HOLY WEDNESDAY HOLY WEDNESDAY – APRIL 12th 2017

  • Presanctified Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • Holy Unction Service: St. George Church East Chicago – 6:00PM

HOLY THURSDAY HOLY THURSDAY – APRIL 13th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • The Great Vigil: Reading of 12 Passion Gospels at 6:00PM

HOLY FRIDAY HOLY FRIDAY – APRIL 14th 2017

  • Morning Service / Hours at 10:00AM
  • Vespers with laying of Holy Shroud and Funeral Service at 6:00PM

HOLY SATURDAY HOLY SATURDAY – APRIL 15th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • Resurrection Matins at 11:30PM

PASCHA – EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 16th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM

EASTER MONDAY EASTER MONDAY – APRIL 17th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM

EASTER TUESDAY EASTER TUESDAY – APRIL 18th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM

SUNDAY – APRIL 23rd 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
Apr 14
0

Vespers with laying of Holy Shroud and Funeral Service at St. Sava Merrillville – Friday, Apr. 14

By | General Information/News, Religious Observances | No Comments

Join us for the solemn Vespers with laying of the Holy Shroud (Plastanica) and Funeral Service beginning at 6:00 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana.

Evening services in Orthodox churches will late on Friday mark the time when Christ was removed from the cross on which he died in Jerusalem.

Before the service begins, a “tomb” is erected in the middle of the church building and is decorated with flowers. The priest will carry the painted or embroidered cloth representation of Christ from the altar around the church before placing it in the symbolic Tomb of Christ.

From Friday until midnight liturgies early on Sunday, bells will not be rang in Serbian Orthodox churches – also in observance of mourning.

Holy Week Schedule of Services at St. Sava Church – Merrillville, Indiana

LAZARUS SATURDAY LAZARUS SATURDAY – APRIL 8th 2017

  • Confession at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – VRBICA
  • Holy Communion for children

PALM SUNDAY PALM SUNDAY – APRIL 9th 2017

  • Confession at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM

HOLY WEDNESDAY HOLY WEDNESDAY – APRIL 12th 2017

  • Presanctified Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • Holy Unction Service: St. George Church East Chicago – 6:00PM

HOLY THURSDAY HOLY THURSDAY – APRIL 13th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • The Great Vigil: Reading of 12 Passion Gospels at 6:00PM

HOLY FRIDAY HOLY FRIDAY – APRIL 14th 2017

  • Morning Service / Hours at 10:00AM
  • Vespers with laying of Holy Shroud and Funeral Service at 6:00PM

HOLY SATURDAY HOLY SATURDAY – APRIL 15th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • Resurrection Matins at 11:30PM

PASCHA – EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 16th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM

EASTER MONDAY EASTER MONDAY – APRIL 17th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM

EASTER TUESDAY EASTER TUESDAY – APRIL 18th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM

SUNDAY – APRIL 23rd 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
Apr 13
0

The meaning of Easter eggs and color; Colored eggs are needed for Pascha – Sunday, Apr. 16

By | General Information/News, Religious Observances | No Comments

The Kolo Sisters of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church have been busy for weeks as they recently hosted their spring bake sale, but work continues as colored eggs are needed to be blessed Easter Sunday, April 16. Please bring colored eggs early to the church before Divine Liturgy begins Sunday.

The Meaning of Easter Eggs in the Orthodox Church

Easter Sunday at St. Sava Church, Merrillville, Indiana.

One of the most widespread Easter custom among serves as the coloring of eggs. This custom dates back to Mary Magdalene after Christ’s Resurrection. She traveled to Rome to spread the gospel. There she greeted the emperor Tiberius with “Christ is risen!” and gifted him with a colored egg. When the Christians learned what Mary Magdalene had done, they too followed her custom.

The custom is universal throughout the Orthodox East and, in fact, prevails throughout Christendom as a symbol of Christ’s Resurrection. In many places, eggs are color red, reminding us of Christ’s blood. While the color usually used for dying eggs is red, any bright color is permissible. The eggs may even be multi-colored.

The eggs signify the picture of life, death, decay, and resurrection of man. They represent the Resurrection and the second life, because eggs, too, are born twice: the first when the egg is laid on the second when it is hatched. The egg is protected by a shell. The same happens to man: the first his natural birth; the second his rebirth at Christ’s second Advent.

The custom of dying eggs is often a solemn process that often begins with prayer.

Following Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday, the colored eggs are blessed and distributed to the faithful. They greet each other with “Christ is risen!” and exchange eggs.

Holy Week Schedule of Services at St. Sava Church – Merrillville, Indiana

LAZARUS SATURDAY LAZARUS SATURDAY – APRIL 8th 2017

  • Confession at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – VRBICA
  • Holy Communion for children

PALM SUNDAY PALM SUNDAY – APRIL 9th 2017

  • Confession at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM

HOLY WEDNESDAY HOLY WEDNESDAY – APRIL 12th 2017

  • Presanctified Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • Holy Unction Service: St. George Church East Chicago – 6:00PM

HOLY THURSDAY HOLY THURSDAY – APRIL 13th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • The Great Vigil: Reading of 12 Passion Gospels at 6:00PM

HOLY FRIDAY HOLY FRIDAY – APRIL 14th 2017

  • Morning Service / Hours at 10:00AM
  • Vespers with laying of Holy Shroud and Funeral Service at 6:00PM

HOLY SATURDAY HOLY SATURDAY – APRIL 15th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • Resurrection Matins at 11:30PM

PASCHA – EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 16th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM

EASTER MONDAY EASTER MONDAY – APRIL 17th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM

EASTER TUESDAY EASTER TUESDAY – APRIL 18th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM

SUNDAY – APRIL 23rd 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
Apr 12
0

View the Holy Week Schedule of Services at St. Sava in Merrillville

By | General Information/News, Religious Observances | No Comments

Everyone is welcome to join with us at St. Sava in Merrillville, Indiana as we commemorate one of the most important times of the year in the Orthodox Church. A complete listing of the Holy Week Schedule of Services is listed below.

Holy Week Schedule of Services

LAZARUS SATURDAY LAZARUS SATURDAY – APRIL 8th 2017

  • Confession at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 – VRBICA
  • Holy Communion for children

PALM SUNDAY PALM SUNDAY – APRIL 9th 2017

  • Confession at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM

HOLY WEDNESDAY HOLY WEDNESDAY – APRIL 12th 2017

  • Presanctified Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • Holy Unction Service: St. George Church East Chicago – 6:00PM

HOLY THURSDAY HOLY THURSDAY – APRIL 13th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • The Great Vigil: Reading of 12 Passion Gospels at 6:00PM

HOLY FRIDAY HOLY FRIDAY – APRIL 14th 2017

  • Morning Service / Hours at 10:00AM
  • Vespers with laying of Holy Shroud and Funeral Service at 6:00PM

HOLY SATURDAY HOLY SATURDAY – APRIL 15th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • Resurrection Matins at 11:30PM

PASCHA – APRIL 16th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM

EASTER MONDAY EASTER MONDAY – APRIL 17th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM

EASTER TUESDAY EASTER TUESDAY – APRIL 18th 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM

SUNDAY – APRIL 23rd 2017

  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM