Religious Observances

Orthodox Christmas Nativity Services are quickly approaching with Badnje Veče – Serbian Christmas Eve – taking place Wednesday, January 6.

Now is the time to view or download the schedule of services so you may plan ahead and join us for this special annual Nativity Celebration.

The Schedule of Services, in both English and Serbian Cyrillic languages, along with a special holiday message from Father Marko and Father Bogdan was sent in the mail to Church Membership and is now available for download.

DOWNLOAD THE SCHEDULE OF SERVICES AND HOLIDAY MESSSAGE

• Click here to download the Schedule of Services and special holiday message from Father Marko and Father Bogdan.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – РАСПОРЕД БОГОСЛУЖЕЊА

SUNDAY: January 3rd

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

WEDNESDAY: January 6th

• CHRISTMAS EVE: Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM. Great Vespers at 6:00PM.
• Children’s Christmas Play, blessing and burning of Badnjak.
• БАДЊИ ДАН: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру. Празнично вечерње у 6:00
• увече. Дечија Божићна Представа. Освећење и паљење Бадњака.

THURSDAY: January 7th

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

FRIDAY :January 8th

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

SATURDAY: January 9th

• ST. STEPHEN THE ARCHDEACON: Divine Liturgy 9:00AM
• СВЕТИ АРХИЂАКОН СТЕФАН: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру

SUNDAY: January 10th

• SUNDAY 32nd AFTER PENTECOST: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
• НЕДЕЉА 32. ПО ДУХОВИМА: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру

THURSDAY: 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 17th

• SUNDAY 33rd AFTER PENTECOST: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
• НЕДЕЉА 33. ПО ДУХОВИМА: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру

TUESDAY: 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.

WEDNESDAY: January 20th

• ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
• СВЕТИ ЈОВАН КРСТИТЕЉ: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру

SUNDAY: January 24th

• SUNDAY 34th AFTER PENTECOST: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM. Saint Sava
• Celebration. Blessing and cutting of Slava Kolach; Dinner and Program.
• НЕДЕЉА 34. ПО ДУХОВИМА: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру. Светосавска
• Прослава. Сечење Славског колача, ручак и програм у продужетку.

WEDNESDAY: January 27th

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

SUNDAY: January 31st

• SUNDAY 35th AFTER PENTECOST: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
• НЕДЕЉА 35. ПО ДУХОВИМА: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру

With Serbian Christmas quickly approaching January 7, 2016 and taking place during the work/school week on a Thursday, many people may work or have school obligations.

Whether it’s an Altar Boy participating in services on this holiday or students simply being with family during church services on this special day, a note from Father Marko may be required or requested by school officials relating to the absence.

Father Marko Matic has created a form letter that may be downloaded, printed and used as a request for an excused absence from school to participate in this Serbian Orthodox religious holiday.

This form letter is provided in the hope that it will enable more families to attend with their children on this special day.

We look forward to seeing you at the Christmas Eve celebrations Wednesday, January 6 and Christmas Day Thursday, January 7 at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana.

• Download the form letter requesting permission for excused absence to celebrate Christmas January 7, 2016.

Join us this Thursday, Dec. 24 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana for our weekly Akathist prayers (Click here to learn more about the Akathist prayer services at St. Sava Church).

This week we offer praises for Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated, according to Julian Calendar, December 25, and according to Gregorian January, 7.
Orthodox Christians are following the Julian calendar which was active during the Birth of Christ. This Akathist is dedicated to Jesus.

When fullness of time was come, God sent His only begotten son’ (Gal. 4:4) to save the human race. And when the ninth month had come after the archangel Gabriel appeared to the most holy Virgin in Nazareth, saying: “Hail, thou that art highly favored.. thou shalt conceive and bear a son”…

Joseph and Mary were invited by a decree of Caesar Augustus the Emperor of Rome to register at their home town of Bethlehem. When they arrived they could not find a lodging in any house, and found shelter in a cave. In this cave the most holy Virgin gave birth to the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The shepherds came in from a field after they had heard a multitude of angels singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men” (Luke 2:14). They worshiped Him as Messiah and Savior.

At that time there also came wise men from the East, led by a wonderful star, bearing their gifts: gold, frenkincense and myrr, and worshiped Him as King of kings, offering Him their gifts (Mat. 2:11).

In the Akathist prayer we will glorify Our Lord Jesus Christ, and His Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit, asking Them for Their blessings and share with us Their Divine nature.

Come and joins us to celebrate the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ!

What is Akathist?

Join us Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the St. Sava Church for Akathist – a brief weekly celebration of the works of the Saints, Holy Days, and Holy Trinity.

The Akathist service lasts approximately 35 minutes and is an opportunity for a uniquely participatory service in which men and women may have the option to read passages from the Book of Akathists, exchanging phrasings with Clergy, and experiencing a unique mid-week spiritual connection with fellow parishioners. Click here to read more about Akathist…

Join us this Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana for our weekly Akathist prayers (Click here to learn more about the Akathist prayer services at St. Sava Church).

This week we offer praises for St. Nicholas’ continuing wonderworking miracles for all.

St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Asia Minor

St. Nicholas devoted his life to Chirst and served as priest in Patara, Asia Minor. He was known throughout the region as wonderworker, and eventually he was elected as Archbishop of Myra.

After the death of his Parents he distributed all the properties he inherited to the poor. On several occasions he took presents to the poor children secretly and to the homeless in his diocese. He was imprisoned during prosecution of Diocletian and Maximian Roman Emperors, and became known as a great teacher and instructor of Law of God.

He was present at the First Ecumenical Council in 325. He was defender of the truth of God. People considered him a saint even during his lifetime. He would appear to them at great distance in both dreams and in reality to those who called upon him for help. He was celebrated in school, by armies, sailors, and became a patron intercessor for all of them before God Almighty.

His legend as St. Nicholas became known both in East and West. In 1838 he was known by the Scandinavian countries as Santa Claus, including in the USA. In the West especially he is considered as the great patron Saint of children and the cheerful giver of gifts under the name Santa Claus.

What is Akathist?

Join us Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the St. Sava Church for Akathist – a brief weekly celebration of the works of the Saints, Holy Days, and Holy Trinity.

The Akathist service lasts approximately 35 minutes and is an opportunity for a uniquely participatory service in which men and women may have the option to read passages from the Book of Akathists, exchanging phrasings with Clergy, and experiencing a unique mid-week spiritual connection with fellow parishioners. Click here to read more about Akathist…

Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Indianapolis, Indiana

Interestingly, relics from the holy body of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia (Died AD 343), arrived Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at about 6:30 p.m. at the IndianapolisInternationalAirport on their way to a special prayer service at the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, 7855 Marsh Road, Indianapolis, Indiana.

This very small portion of the relics of the holy body of St. Nicholas first arrived in the United States from Bari, Italy, and remained in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Now located at the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in northwest Indianapolis, this portion of the relics will remain at the church indefinitely.

• Read more about the relics St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Indianapolis.
• Read more about Akathist Prayer Services at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville.

You are invited to celebrate the first Slava of Saint Mardarije of Libertyville and Chicago, Saturday, Dec. 12 with Holy Hierarchical Liturgy taking place at 10:00 a.m. at the Saint Sava Monastery in Libertyville, IL. Lunch will be served with a special program to follow beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the New Gracanica Monastery, Third Lake, IL.

Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and Littoral will serve Divine Liturgy with members of the Episcopal Council of Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America.

About The life of St. Mardarije of Libertyville (1889-1935)

This text is available from the Western American Diocese – Serbian Orthodox Church of North and South America (http://westsrbdio.org/en/events/canonization/hagiography/965-the-life-of-st-mardarije-of-libertyville).

Born in village of Kornet, Ljesani County, in Montenegro, on November 2, 1889, to pious parents Petar and Jela Uskokovic, he was baptized in his village church dedicated to St. George and received his baptismal name Ivan. His mother was from the well-known Bozovic family. Both of his parents were well respected in their community holding the office of leadership and particularly his father was a captain of their clan.

Considering his parents’ status, young Ivan was sent to further his education, first in Rijeka Crnojevic, Cetinje, and then in Belgrade, Serbia. While in Belgrade, young Ivan advanced his childhood desire to serve God and the Church, and so from there he headed to monastery Studenica where after a short period of novice life he gets tonsured to monasticism having received the name Mardarije. With the decision of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, now young hierodeacon Mardarije is sent to Russia where he spent twelve years (1905-1917) furthering his theological education and growing in wisdom.

From there, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church sent him to the United States of America to organize the Serbian Orthodox Church. On December 1, 1923, now archimandrite Mardarije is appointed as administrator of the Serbian American-Canadian diocese with the see in Chicago and that same year he purchased around ten acres of land in Libertyville, Illinois, where later St. Sava monastery was built. He was elected by the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church as the first bishop for the newly established diocese in America on December 7, 1925, and his consecration took place on Palm Sunday, the Feast of the Entrance of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, on April 25, 1926.

From then on His Grace Bishop Mardarije, the first bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America, labored tirelessly in building churches, St. Sava monastery in Libertyville, sowing Christian love, spread peace, preached and witnessed the Gospel of Christ throughout his diocese. In spite of inescapable wordly trends, he lived spontaneity of truth and a provision of grace, just because Life has dawned from the Tomb, and is dawning still. Having labored as bishop for a little over nine years he died peacefully on December 12, 1935, hospitalized in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while writing his last Nativity Encyclical to his beloved flock. His earthly remains were laid to rest at St. Sava monastery in Libertyville.

The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church during its regular session held from May 14-29, 2015 brought forth a decision that his name be added to the Diptych of saints of the Holy Orthodox Church.

From the Holy Hierarch Mardarije, we see how the grace of God reaches the heart of our cities, bringing to the confusion of the world the breeze of the Spirit and the serenity of the Age to come.

New Gracanica Monastery, 35240 W Grant Ave. Third Lake IL 60046

New Gracanica Monastery will celebrate Slava – Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God – taking place Wednesday, October 14 at 35240 W. Grant Ave. Third Lake, IL, 60046.

Liturgy begins at 10:00 a.m. with His Grace Bishop Longin serving. A festive lunch will follow immediately afterward. All are welcome to attend.

Learn about the history of New Gracanica Monastery

Watch the classic documentary “Build Thyself A Church” available now on YouTube to learn about the beginnings of the New Gracanica Monastery and witness the construction of this magnificent church from the construction of the foundation through to celebration at the Consecration.

More than thirty years ago Bishop Iriney and the Serbian Orthodox Free Diocese of United States and Canada consecrated their new church monastery, New Gracanica.

As Bishop Iriney wrote, Build Thyself a Church has and will continue to impact future generations.

“Build Thyself A Church” was produced and directed by Mirko Popadic and written by Joe McGarry.

Click now to watch the documentary on YouTube

Dear Parishioners,

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Longin, Sunday, August 9, in our Saint Sava Church we will serve a Memorial service for the innocent victims in commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the persecution and suffering of the Serbian people in the Republic of Serbian Krajina and Croatia in the military operation “Storm” on August 4, 1995.

The Memorial service will begin immediately after Holy Liturgy. Although time is short, I hope that the faithful from our parish will come to the Holy Liturgy and to this memorial Service and together and worthily commemorate this important event in our recent past.

Rev Marko Matic

Драги парохијани,

Cа благословом нашег надлежног Архијереја, Његовог Преосвештенства Г. Лонгина, поводом обележавања двадесетогодишњице од прогона и страдања српског народа на подручју Републике Српске Крајине и Републике Хрватске у војној операцији „Олуја“ 4. августа 1995. године, сутра у недељу 9. августа у нашем храму Св. Саве служиће се парастос невино пострадалим жртвама у овом егзодусу.

Парастос ће почети одмах после Свете Литургије. Иако је време кратко, надам се да ће верни народ из наше парохије моћи да дође на Свету Литургију и парастос и на тај начин да достојно обележи овај важан догађај из наше недавне прошлости.