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General Information/News

Jan 19
0

Ann “Anka” V. Rudman – Memory Eternal ✝ Vjecnaja Pamjat

By | General Information/News, Obituaries & Memorials | 11 Comments

The Clergy, Executive Board, and Members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church express condolences to the family of Ann “Anka” V. Rudman. Memory eternal.

Ann “Anka” V. Rudman

Ann “Anka” V. Rudman, age 92 of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully Sunday, January 16, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted member of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, past president of St. Sava Serbian Sisters’ Circle, supporting member of Karageorge Choir & Historical Society.

Ann was born in Gary, IN and moved to Valparaiso when she married her husband Theodore, a farmer. She was a dedicated mother of seven daughters and grandmother of two. As a woman of many talents, she found the most enjoyment in sewing, baking, cooking, painting and teaching others her crafts. She had a profound love for family, friends and the church, all of which she kept very close to her heart. As a sports enthusiast, you could find her and Ted at Purdue football and basketball games.

She is preceded in death by her husband Theodore Rudman; parents Marko & Bosiljka Vrtikapa; brothers Richard (Polly), Mirko (Jeri), Gordon and Steve (Judy); sisters Olga (Ted) Vukelich, and Dessa (John) Bogosian. Survived by her seven daughters, Jolynn (John Derado), Tami, Kim (Aaron Graves), Danella, Carla (Bodo) Gajevic, Marissa (Ray Rub), and Jennifer Rudman; two grandchildren, Gabriella and Max Gajevic; brother John (Sue) Vrtikapa; and sister Milena (+George) Rudman; dear in-law Maria (+Ken) Dubie; Kumovi Millie (+Pete) Zakula and many nieces, nephews, extended family and cherished friend Florence Stefanovich.

Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022, at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, IN, V. Rev Marko Matic officiating with funeral service immediately following. A private burial will be held. May her memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Pavilion Fund would be much appreciated – Click now to make a donation at www.saintsava.net/donate on our secure online form. For further information please call Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 219-736-5840

Jan 18
0

Blessing of Homes – Schedule 2022 now available

By | General Information/News, Religious Observances

It is the time of the year where members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana may have homes blessed by Father Marko. The 2022 Schedule for Blessing of Homes is now available below.

VALPARAISO

    • From Monday, January 24th to Sunday, February 6th

CHESTERTON

    • From Monday, February 7th to Thursday, February 10th

PORTAGE, OGDEN DUNES

    • From Friday, February 11th to Sunday, February 20th

HOBART

    • From Monday, February 21st to Sunday, February 27th

HEBRON, KOUTS, LA CROSSE

    • Monday, February 28th

WINFIELD

    • From Tuesday, March 1st to Sunday, March 6th

CROWN POINT

    • From Monday, March 7th to Sunday, March 20th

GARY, MERRILLVILLE, HAMMOND

    • From Monday, March 21st to Thursday March 24th

HIGHLAND, SCHERERVILLE, SAINT JOHN

    • From Friday, March 25th to Sunday, April 3rd

MUNSTER, DYER, CEDAR LAKE

    • From Monday, April 4th to Sunday, April 10th

CHICAGO

    • From Monday, April 11th to Wednesday April 20th

………………………………………………………………………………

VALPARAISO

    • Од понедељка, 24. јануара до недеље, 6. фебруара

CHESTERTON

    • Од понедељка, 7. фебруара до четвртка, 10. фебруара

PORTAGE, OGDEN DUNES

    • Од петка, 11. фебруара до недеље, 20. фебруара

HOBART

    • Од понедељка, 21. фебруара до недеље, 27. фебруара

HEBRON, KOUTS, LA CROSSE

    • Понедељак, 28. фебруар

WINFIELD

    • Од уторка, 1. марта до недеље, 6. марта

CROWN POINT

    • Од понедељка, 7. марта до недеље, 20. марта

GARY, MERRILLVILLE, HAMMOND

    • Од понедељка, 21. марта до четвртка, 24. марта

HIGHLAND, SCHERERVILLE, SAINT JOHN

    • Од петка, 25. марта до недеље, 3. априла

MUNSTER, DYER, CEDAR LAKE

    • Од понедељка, 4. априла до недеље, 10. априла

CHICAGO

    • Од понедељка, 11. априла до среде, 20. априла
Jan 18
0

Vladimir “Walter” Tomich – 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 Vladimir “Walter” Tomich. Memory eternal.

Vladimir “Wally” Tomich fell asleep in the lord on Sunday, January 16, 2022 in Hobart, Indiana. Born in Orahovac, Bosna on April 30, 1938.

He loved fishing, photography, and football “futbal”. A graduate of Emerson High School’s class of 1961 where he excelled at many sports. He enjoyed performing music and cruising with his band-mate.

Regular donor and volunteer at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church Festivals and events.  44 years of tenacious work ethic during his personal time as well as at US Steel Plate Mill from which he retired.

Preceded in death by his devoted wife of 53 years Miholjka (nee Herin), his father Risto, mother Stoja (nee Cosovic), and brother Tihomir “Cheech.”

Valdimir is survived by his three sons; loving father of Nikola, Ilija (Tammy Podunovich), and Ostoja (Natalie “Mimi” nee Pastar) Tomich; his three grandsons who he was very fond of  “Djedo” of Ristan, Milan, and Damjan; his siblings,  Alex and Alexandra;

Sisters and Brother-in-law; Mary (nee Persley, Tihomir) Tomich, Michelle (nee Foster) Tomich, Bob (Alexandra) Jeka; nieces and nephews Tommy (Dianne), Sandy, and Marko Tomich; Angelia and Gabriel Jeka; and many other Kumovi, prijatelje,  both here and in Europe. May His Memory Be Eternal.

Visitation will take place Friday, January 21, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN. Funeral Services will take place at 9:30 a.m. with V. Rev Marko Matic Officiating.

Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. For further information please call Mileva at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 219-736-5840.

Jan 17
0

The meaning of the Great Blessing of Water – Holy Theophany – Wednesday, Jan. 19

By | General Information/News, Religious Observances

Join us for Divine Liturgy beginning Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 9:00 a.m. for the Great Blessing of Water celebrating Holy Theophany at St. Sava Church, Merrillville, Indiana.

This observance commemorates Christ’s baptism by John the Forerunner in the River Jordan, and the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry. The Feast of Theophany is the culmination of the Christmas Season. In mystic commemoration of this event, the Great Blessing of Water is performed on this day, and the holy water so blessed is used by the local priest to bless the homes of the faithful.

This image depicts the baptismal font used in St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Merrillville, Indiana. Etched on one side is the scene commemorating Christ’s baptism by John the Forerunner in the River Jordan, and the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry.

This image depicts the baptismal font used in St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Merrillville, Indiana. Etched on one side is the scene commemorating Christ’s baptism by John the Forerunner in the River Jordan, and the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry.

The feast is called Theophany because at the baptism of Christ the Holy Trinity appeared clearly to mankind for the first time—the Father’s voice is heard from Heaven, the Son of God is incarnate and standing physically in the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descends on Him in the form of a dove.

The services of Theophany are arranged similarly to those of the Nativity (Historically the Christmas services were established later).

On the morning of the feast, the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is served. The Liturgy of the feast begins with psalms of glorification and praise instead of the three normal Antiphons. And the baptismal line from Galatians 3:27 replaces the Thrice-Holy.

For as many as been baptized into Christ have put on Christ: Alleluia.

The Gospel readings of the services tell of the Lord’s baptism by John in the Jordan River. The epistle reading of the Divine Liturgy tells of the consequences of the Lord’s appearing which is the divine epiphany.

Since the main feature of the feast is the blessing of water, it is prescribed to follow both the Divine Liturgy of the eve of the feast and the Divine Liturgy of the day itself. But most local parishes do it only once when most of the parishioners can be present. The blessing verifies that mankind, and all of creation, were created to be filled with the sanctifying presence of God.

In connection with the feast, it is traditional for the priest to visit all the homes of the faithful for their annual house blessing using the water that has been blessed at the Theophany services.

Look for a schedule of home blessings to be posted here soon at www.saintsava.net/blog to learn the days where Father Marko will be in your community blessing homes.

Jan 14
0

Save-the-date St. Sava Day Celebration – Sunday, Jan. 30

By | General Information/News, Religious Observances, Sunday School
Save-the-date Sunday, January 30, 2022 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church – Merrillville, Indiana. Show your support for our Sunday School and make a donation today (https://www.saintsava.net/donate/) on our secure online donation form.
Join us as we celebrate St. Sava Day with the St. Sava Sunday School Children, Teachers, and Board featuring a special program and luncheon immediately after Divine Liturgy and cutting of the Kolach. Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 a.m.
Jan 08
0

Jeka Kolundzija – 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 Jeka Kolundzija. Memory eternal.

Jeka Kolundzija, age 87 of Hobart, passed away Friday, January 7, 2022.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 930am, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi St, Merrillville, IN. Funeral Service will begin at 10am, V Rev Marko Matic officiating. Interment Memory Lane Cemetery, Schererville.

For further information please call Mileva or Dave at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel 219-736-5840

Jan 07
0

A message from His Grace Bishop Longin

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Peace of God! Christ is Born!

Truly He is Born!

“Our Savior, the dayspring from the East, has visited us from on high, and we, who were in darkness and shadow, have found the Truth, for the Lord is born from the Virgin”.
(Exapostellarion of the Nativity of Christ)

The Lord has once again visited us this year, dear brothers and sisters, bringing to us His peace and fulfilling His promise of returning us from death to life. In the economy of our salvation, the Lord planned to come to this world out of love for His creation—mankind—to save us from the world; to save us from eternal death and suffering. He comes to us in order to grant us life in abundance.

The life that comes from Life Himself is what lifts us up to the heavens, making our connection with God direct and strong, with no place for a weak bond. With His coming, the only place for disturbance in that connection is when our weaknesses and sinfulness are what divide us from Him. He has poured out all of His mercy on to us, and is only asking that we receive Him, give Him a place, and give Him a roof to be under, as the place He received through the manger. If we are willing, then our hearts become a temple with the entrance of His Divine Body and Blood at the Holy Mystery of Communion.

Let us take the opportunity of this season to prepare ourselves for the coming of the God-Child. Let us cleanse our hearts and souls of evil! Let us sweep away the sins and passions staining the floor of our hearts! Let us prepare a cradle out of good deeds so that He may have place to lay His head! This is the purpose of this time of year, which is God-inspired, preserved by our holy customs throughout the centuries and past down to us from our forefathers.

I greet all of you, my spiritual children in Christ, asking God to bless your families, homes, work and efforts for our Holy Church and your salvation. May the God-Man, our Lord Jesus Christ, protect us from all evil, sickness and distress, both now as we approach the Nativity, in the New Year and always.

Christ is Born!

Happy and Blessed New Year 2022!

His Grace Bishop

Longin

 

Мир Божији, Христос се роди!

Ваистину се роди!

“Спаситељ наш, извор са истока, нас је посетио с висине, а ми који седисмо у тами и

сенци смрти нађосмо Истину, јер се Господ оваплоти од Дјеве”.
(Свјетилен Рождества Христовог)

Господ нас опет и ове године посећује, драга браћо и сестре, доносећи нам Његов мир и испуњавајући Његово обећање о нашем повратку из смрти у живот. Господ долази у овај свет из љубави према Својој творевини – људском роду – да нас спасе од света, од вечне смрти и страдања, испуњавајући домострој спасења и дарујући нам живот у изобиљу. Живот који долази од Самог Живота ја оно што нас уздиже на небо, успоставњајући и учвршћујући нашу везу с Богом.

Након Христовог доласка, једино што може ослабити или пореметити ту везу је наша слабост и грешност. Он је Своју милост излио на нас а од нас очекује да је примимо, да му припремимо место и примимо под свој кров као што га ономад витлејемска пећина примила. Само ако желимо, наше срце може постати храм уласком Његовог Светог Тела и Крви кроз Свету Тајну Причешћа. Искористимо прилику овог предпразничног периода да се припремимо за долазак Богомладенца. Очистимо срца и душе од зла, страсти и греха који га прљају.

Припремимо те јаслице добрим делима да би Господ имао где да се у нама настани! Ово је сврха овог Богомданог поста који су и вековима држали наши преци и до данас очували.

Поздрављам вас све, драга духовна децо у Христу, молећи Господа да благослови ваше породице, домове, рад и труд у Светој Цркви и на вашем спасењу. Нека нас Богочовек, Господ наш Исус Христос заштити од сваког зла, болести и муке док прилазимо Рождеству Његовом, у новој години и у векове векова.

Христос се роди!

Срећна и благословена нова 2022 година!

Његово Преосвештенство Епископ

Лонгин

Jan 04
0

Celebrations begin Christmas Eve at St. Sava in Merrillville – Thursday, Jan.6

By | General Information/News, Religious Observances | No Comments
badnjak-blessing

Father Marko Matic blessing the Badnjak inside the Pavilion at St. Sava Church, Merrillville, Indiana.

Join us for the celebration of Orthodox Christmas beginning with Divine Liturgy taking place at 9:00 a.m. and Great Vespers taking place at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 6 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

The Blessing and burning of the Badnjak will take place immediately following the Great Vespers.

Divine Liturgy will take place Christmas morning beginning at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 7.

The complete listing of services taking place during this special time of the year is listed below.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Badnjak

badnjak-st-sava-merrillville

Burning of the Badnjak outside the Pavilion at St. Sava Church, Merrillville, Indiana.

Have you ever brought a Badnjak into your home? Do you know that the Badnjak is the finest and foremost custom of all the many traditions by which our people enhance the Christmas celebration?

Click here to read an article explaining the Spiritual Meaning of the Badnjak.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES  –   РАСПОРЕД  БОГОСЛУЖЕЊА

THURSDAY, January 6th

  • CHRISTMAS EVE: Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM. Great Vespers at 6:00PM. Blessing and burning of Badnjak.
  • БАДЊИ ДАН: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру. Празнично вечерње у 6:00 увече. Освећење и паљење Бадњака.

FRIDAY, January 7th

  • CHRISTMAS: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
  • БОЖИЋ: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру

SATURDAY, January 8th

  • ALL HOLY MOTHER OF GOD FEAST: Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • САБОР ПРЕСВЕТЕ БОГОРОДИЦЕ: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру

SUNDAY, January 9th

  • ST. STEPHEN THE ARCHDEACON: Divine Liturgy 9:30AM
  • СВЕТИ АРХИЂАКОН СТЕФАН: Света Литургија у 9:30 ујутру
  • Cutting of Slava Kolach after Holy Liturgy

FRIDAY, January 14th

  • ST. BASIL (SERBIAN NEW YEAR’S DAY): Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • СВ. ВАСИЛИЈЕ  (СРПСКА НОВА ГОДИНА): Св. Литургија у 9:00 ујутру

SUNDAY, January 16th

  • SUNDAY 30th   AFTER PENTECOST: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
  • НЕДЕЉА 30. ПО ДУХОВИМА: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру

WEDNESDAY, January 19th

  • HOLY THEOPHANY: Div. Liturgy and Great Blessing of Water at 9:00AM.
  • БОГОЈАВЉЕЊЕ: Св. Литургија и Велико освећење воде у 9:00 ујутру.

THURSDAY, January 20th

  • ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • СВЕТИ ЈОВАН КРСТИТЕЉ: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру
  • Cutting of Slava Kolach after Holy Liturgy

SUNDAY, January 23rd

  • SUNDAY 31th   AFTER PENTECOST: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
  • НЕДЕЉА 31. ПО ДУХОВИМА: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру

THURSDAY, January 27th

  • ST. SAVA DAY: Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
  • СВЕТИ САВА: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру

SUNDAY, January 30th

  • ST. SAVA DAY CELEBRATION: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM.  Blessing and cutting of Slava Kolach; Dinner and Program.
  • CABИНДАH: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру. Светосавска Прослава. Сечење Славског колача, ручак и програм.