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General Information/News

Apr 22
0

Children’s Choir hosts luncheon, brief concert at St. Sava – Palm Sunday, Apr. 24

By | Children's Choir, General Information/News | No Comments

The Children’s Choir will host a lenten luncheon with a brief concert taking place immediately after the Divine Liturgy (approximately Noon) celebrating Palm Sunday, April 24 in the South Wing Social Center at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana.

The luncheon is open to everyone – members of St. Sava Church, community members, and guests. This is a great opportunity for an enjoyable meal, fellowship, and to learn more about Children’s Choir at St. Sava or other ways you can engage and be a part of the St. Sava Church-School Congregation.

The Children’s Choir at St. Sava has had a busy year so far, recently hosting the inaugural Children’s Choir Festival earlier this year in March.

The festival featured more than 100 children singing a variety of songs and playing instruments that celebrated the rich Serbian cultural heritage. A zabava followed the festival for guests to enjoy dancing for the remainder of the evening after the performances were finished. Dinners and beverages were available for purchase throughout the evening.

Visit the website www.saintsava.net/childrenschoir to learn more about the Children’s Choir at St. Sava in Merrillville.

Apr 21
0

Final Friday Fish Fry of Lenten season at St. Sava – Friday, Apr. 22

By | Fundraising, General Information/News, Karageorge Choir | No Comments

The final “Friday Fish Frys” of the 2016 season of Great Lent will take place April 22 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana. Everyone is welcome to join us for a delicious meal!

The Friday Fish Frys will take place Friday April 22 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Pavilion at St. Sava Church 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

Fish fry meal choices week include Ocean Perch, Cod, Butterfly Shrimp 6 piece, or Bakalar served with bean soup, coleslaw, French Fries, and Serbian style green beans. Salad bar option also available. Beverages also available for purchase.

This week’s Fish Fry Sponsor is the Karageorge Choir of St. Sava Church.

Friday Fish Frys have taken place throughout the Orthodox Lenten season at St. Sava. These dinners are open to the general public wider community and with Serbian Orthodox Easter taking place place May 1 this year, just over a month after Easter was celebrated March 27 on the Western Calendar, it gives everyone in Northwest Indiana a few extra weeks of delicious Fish Frys!

Volunteers still needed

Volunteers are needed to help in the kitchens, serving, and cleaning up. Salad bar and dessert items from members are also appreciated. Please call the church office at 219-736-9191 to volunteer.

2016 Fish Fry Schedule at St. Sava Church – Merrillville, Indiana

We look forward to seeing you at one of our many Friday Fish Fry Dates:

  • March 18
  • March 25
  • April 1
  • April 8
  • April 15
  • April 22
Apr 18
0

Bozur Folklore to perform in Merrillville at St. Sava Intercultural Dance Festival – Saturday, May 7

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

Bozur Folklore Ensemble of Chicago will be one of many groups celebrating culture through dance at the Second Annual Intercultural Dance Festival taking place Saturday, May 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the Pavilion at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN.

Bozur Folklore Ensemble, founded in 1997, is a group of young adults who love to dance Serbian Folklore and share their passion for Folk Art from different regions including Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia, and others.

Performances by Bozur Folklore Ensemble and other dance groups on the program from throughout the Chicagoland area will showcase various cultures from around the globe. General admission tickets are open to the public and available at the door for $10. Everyone in the community is welcome to attend.

Srbadija Folklore, the youth folklore dance group of St. Sava Church, will be playing host of the event. Serbian cuisine, beverages, and famous bake sale items will also be available for purchase throughout the evening.

For those desiring a more complete cultural experience, a Serbian “Zabava” (open dance party) will be available for all participants and audience members with music provided by DJ Vinko at the conclusion of all the official performances in the program by the featured dance groups.

Scandinavian, Irish, West African, and Serbian are among the cultures to be represented through dance during the official program portion of the festival.

Participating dance groups include (in alphabetical order):

  • Bozur Folklore Ensemble, Chicago, IL – Facebook Page
  • Frula Folklore Ensemble of St. Elijah Serbian Church, Merrillville, IL – Facebook Page
  • Gavrilo Princip Folklore Ensemble of St. Simeon Serbian Church, 114th South Chicago, IL – Facebook Page
  • Kolo Folklore Ensemble of St. Michael Serbian Church, Lansing, IL – Facebook Page
  • Mayer School of Irish Dance, Chesterton, IN – Website | Facebook Page
  • Nordikids, Munster, IN – Website | Facebook Page
  • Hoosier Strings Jr. Tamburitza
  • South Shore Dance Alliance, Griffith, IN – Website | Facebook Page
  • Srbadija Folklore of St. Sava Serbian Church, Merrillville, IN – Website | Facebook Page
  • Tromedja Folklore Ensemble of St. George Serbian Church, Schererville, IN

This year there will be some familiar dance groups from the inaugural festival and some new additions to the lineup. More information about the performers, new additions to the program, and what you can expect to experience at the festival will be available as the event draws near.

The inaugural Intercultural Festival hosted in May 2015 took place in the new Pavilion at St. Sava and drew more than 400 people.

Last year groups represented different regions of Serbia, Mexico, Greece, Ireland, and India in the performance. Several of the Serbian troupes traveled from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Canada.

Please save-the-date Saturday, May 7 for the Second Annual Intercultural Festival, hosted by Srbadija Folklore at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN 46410. For more information, visit the www.saintsava.net/folklore website.

Apr 14
0

Only 2 Friday Fish Frys remain at St. Sava before Easter – Friday, Apr. 15

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The legendary “Friday Fish Frys” continue April 15 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana throughout the Orthodox Lenten season. Everyone is welcome to join us for a delicious meal!

The Friday Fish Frys will take place every Friday through April 22 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Pavilion at St. Sava Church 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

Fish fry meal choices week include Ocean Perch, Cod, Butterfly Shrimp 6 piece, or Bakalar served with bean soup, coleslaw, French Fries, and Serbian style green beans. Salad bar option also available. Beverages also available for purchase.

This week’s Fish Fry Sponsor is the Sunday School of St. Sava Church.

Friday Fish Frys take place throughout the Orthodox Lenten season at St. Sava. These dinners are open to the general public wider community and with Serbian Orthodox Easter taking place place May 1 this year, just over a month after Easter was celebrated March 27 on the Western Calendar, it gives everyone in Northwest Indiana a few extra weeks of delicious Fish Frys!

Volunteers still needed

Volunteers are needed to help in the kitchens, serving, and cleaning up. Salad bar and dessert items from members are also appreciated. Please call the church office at 219-736-9191 to volunteer.

2016 Fish Fry Schedule at St. Sava Church – Merrillville, Indiana

We look forward to seeing you at one of our many Friday Fish Fry Dates:

  • March 18
  • March 25
  • April 1
  • April 8
  • April 15
  • April 22
Apr 12
0

Presanctified Liturgy takes place 9:00 a.m. at St. Sava Merrillville – Wednesday, April 13

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

In preparation for Orthodox East taking place Sunday, May 1, the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts service will take place Wednesday, April 13 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana.

These services take place every Wednesday morning at St. Sava Church during Great Lent wherein communion is received from Gifts (the Body and Blood of Christ) that are sanctified (consecrated) in advance, hence the name Presanctified Liturgy; this Divine Liturgy has no anaphora (eucharistic prayer).

The Presanctified Liturgy is used on the weekdays of Great Lent, a season of repentance, fasting, and intensified prayer when the more frequent reception of communion is desirable; however, the full Divine Liturgy having a joyful character is not in keeping with the somberness of the season of repentance (Eucharist literally means “thanksgiving”) and so the Presanctified Liturgy is substituted.

Although this service may be performed on any weekday (Monday through Friday) of Great Lent, common parish practice at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church is to celebrate it on Wednesdays.

Find out all spiritual and other events taking place at St. Sava by visiting www.saintsava.net/calendar on the church website.

Apr 11
0

Karageorge Choir of St. Sava prepares for SOCA Fest 2016, hosts practice Tuesday, Apr. 12

By | General Information/News, Karageorge Choir | No Comments

The Karageorge Choir of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church will be traveling to participate in the 50th Anniversary SOCA Festival  taking place in June and in preparation is hosting weekly practices at the church located at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

The next practice will take place Tuesday, Apr. 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the North Wing Conference Room at St. Sava Church. Due to the busy liturgical schedule with Orthodox Easter quickly approaching, choir practices will resume again Tuesday evenings beginning May 10.

All current members of the Karageorge Choir are urged to attend practices, as well as anyone wishing to learn more about the choir and sing with group.

Practice Dates

After the April 12 practice, Karageorge Choir will again practice Tuesday evenings consistently beginning May 10 at 6:30 p.m. with some exceptions. Please look to the online calendar at www.saintsava.net/calendar regularly to confirm.

  • April 12
  • May 10

About the Karageorge Choir

The Karageorge Choir at St. Sava Church provides the liturgical responses for the Divine Liturgy every Sunday morning and at various events and special services throughout the year. The choir also participates regularly in the annual Serbian Orthodox Choral Association (SOCA) Festivals.

The Karageorge Choir at St. Sava Church is a unique organization within the church. It is one of the few organizations where every member of a family can participate together at the exact same time – moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, kumovi, young people are all able to share their love of singing and their faith together through the gifts of their voices.

Anyone is welcome to join the Karageorge Choir for the weekly open practices taking place at St. Sava Church.

50th Anniversary of the SOCA Festival – Save-the-Date – June 17, 18, 19

This year will be the 50th anniversary of the Serbian Orthodox Choral Association (SOCA) Festivals and you are invited to celebrate this historic milestone the weekend of June 17, 18, and 19 along with the Karageorge Choir of St. Sava Church as the group travels to participate in this special event at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in St. Louis, Missouri.

The first ever SOCA Festival took place in St. Louis 50 years ago and in honor of this historic event, the festival this year returns to the city where it all began. Be sure to block out your calendars and spread the word to your choirs, friends, family, and kumovi!

More details about the 50th Anniversary SOCA Festival and Karageorge Choir at St. Sava will be available in the coming weeks. Check back to the St. Sava website at www.saintsava.net and the St. Sava Facebook Page for more information.

Learn more about SOCA and follow their Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=162207370493680

Apr 10
0

Folklore dance sessions at St. Sava open to adults from around the community – Monday, April 11

By | General Information/News | No Comments

You are invited to join the dozens of people that have been showing up each week to celebrate the cultural and healthy exercise benefits associated with traditional Serbian Folklore Dance at St. Sava Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

The Adult Folklore Dance Sessions meet each Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the South Wing Social Center at the church learning new dances, getting a dose of exercise, and simply having fun.

The open group formed earlier this year at St. Sava seeking to gather people interested in learning traditional Serbian Kolo dances and to just have fun. The group welcomes those with no previous dancing experience from the greater Northwest Indiana community along with people who learned the traditional dances growing up in youth folklore groups and want to keep dancing with friends in an adult environment.

Everyone is welcome to attend – men and women, members of St. Sava, members of other churches throughout Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, and anyone in the community who simply wants to learn about the culture and the fun, circle dance called the Kolo (no more sitting on the sidelines during Serb Fest 2016 which takes place August 5, 6, and 7 – you will be dancing like a pro by the time the fest rolls around – www.serbfest.org).

The dance sessions each Monday evening start at 7:00 p.m. and end by 9:00 p.m. Each session begins with some general dance instruction and review for dances that are commonly performed at various Serbian festivals and celebrations. The second half of the session focuses on more structured types of folklore dances. All of the instruction is provided by Miloš Drljević Djakovac, the dance instructor for St. Sava’s youth folklore group named Srbadija.

The focus of the dance sessions is to have fun, so don’t worry if you don’t have traditional Serbian “opanke” dance shoes in your closet. Wear your tennis shoes and comfortable clothes because dancing the kolo can be a serious workout!

Magda Serdar, organizer of the dance sessions, explained her reasons for wanting to help form such a group. “I just love folklore. You are never too old to dance. A lot of people have talked about forming such a group and there are so many people who have danced in the past when younger, now is the time to do it,” Serdar said.

Dance sessions begin at 7:00 p.m. Monday evenings at St. Sava and take place in either the South Wing Social Center or the Pavilion, depending on group size and room availability. A small fee of $5 per week will be collected and used to support the church, children’s folklore, and children’s choir.

For more questions or more information, please call Magda Serdar at (440) 954-2039.

Apr 09
0

Holy Week, and Easter Services Schedule at St. Sava – Apr. 23 through May 3

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The schedule of Holy Week and Easter Services taking place at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana is now available online and for download.

Holy Week and Easter Service Schedule

Lazarus Saturday – April 23, 2016

  • Confession at 9:00 a.m.
  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. – VRBICA
  • Holy Communion for children

Palm Sunday – April 24, 2016

  • Confession at 9:00 a.m.
  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Holy Wednesday – April 27, 2016

  • Presanctified Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
  • The Sacrament of Holy Unction will take place at St. George Serbian Church, Schererville, IN at 6:00 p.m.

Holy Thursday – April 28, 2016

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
  • The Great Vigil: Reading of 12 Passion Gospels at 6:00 p.m.

Holy Friday – April 29, 2016

  • Morning Service/Hours at 10:00 a.m.
  • Vespers with laying of Holy Shroud and Funeral Service at 6:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday – April 30, 2016

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
  • Resurrection Matins at 11:30 p.m.

Pascha – May 1, 2016

  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Easter Monday – May 2, 2016

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.

Easter Tuesday – May 3, 2016

  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
Apr 08
0

Lenten luncheon at St. Sava to support Folklore costume fundraiser – Sunday, Apr. 10

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

The youth folklore dance group “Srbadija” at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana will host a special lenten luncheon taking place immediately after the divine liturgy in the South Wing Social Center at the Church Sunday, April 10 (approximately at Noon).

The menu will feature specialty Serbian-style lenten foods. Proceeds from the luncheon will help to purchase new costumes for the young dancers who help to carry on the cultural dance traditions.

The group had a busy 2015 year with multiple special performances at St. Sava, several appearances at Serbian folklore festivals throughout the Midwestern Diocese, the World Cultural Festival 2015 in Valparaiso, Indiana, and a special performance in San Francisco, California.

This fundraiser luncheon is part of a busy month of preparation for Srbadija Folklore as they get ready to host the second annual Intercultural Folklore Festival in the Pavilion at St. Sava taking place Saturday, May 7 which will feature ethnic dance groups from around the region.

Last year groups represented different regions of Serbia, Mexico, Greece, Ireland, and India in the performance. Several of the Serbian troupes traveled from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Canada.

This year there will be some familiar dance groups from the inaugural festival and some new additions to the lineup. In the coming weeks Srbadija will announce the names of the groups performing and some background about what you can expect to experience.

For more information about the upcoming Intercultural Dance Festival, visit the luncheon at St. Sava at approximately Noon Sunday, April 10 or watch the www.saintsava.net/blog or the Intercultural Dance Festival Facebook Event Page for more.

Apr 07
0

Fish Frys at St. Sava Merrillville continue through Orthodox Great Lent – Friday, Apr. 8

By | Fundraising, General Information/News, Sunday School | No Comments

The legendary “Friday Fish Frys” continue April 8 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana throughout the Orthodox Lenten season. Everyone is welcome to join us for a delicious meal!

The Friday Fish Frys will take place every Friday through April 22 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Pavilion at St. Sava Church 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

Fish fry meal choices week include Ocean Perch, Cod, Butterfly Shrimp 6 piece, or Bakalar served with bean soup, coleslaw, French Fries, and Serbian style green beans. Salad bar option also available. Beverages also available for purchase.

This week’s Fish Fry Sponsor is the Sunday School of St. Sava Church.

Friday Fish Frys take place throughout the Orthodox Lenten season at St. Sava. These dinners are open to the general public wider community and with Serbian Orthodox Easter taking place place May 1 this year, just over a month after Easter was celebrated March 27 on the Western Calendar, it gives everyone in Northwest Indiana a few extra weeks of delicious Fish Frys!

Volunteers still needed

Volunteers are needed to help in the kitchens, serving, and cleaning up. Salad bar and dessert items from members are also appreciated. Please call the church office at 219-736-9191 to volunteer.

2016 Fish Fry Schedule at St. Sava Church – Merrillville, Indiana

We look forward to seeing you at one of our many Friday Fish Fry Dates:

  • March 18
  • March 25
  • April 1
  • April 8
  • April 15
  • April 22