St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church will celebrate its 102nd Anniversary taking place Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 with Milana “Mim” Bizic delivering the keynote speech during the special program taking place immediately following the Divine Liturgy at 9191 Mississippi Street in Merrillville, Indiana.
Milana “Mim” Bizic
Bizic’s speech is titled, “Gary-Merrrillville, 102 Years and Counting.” In the speech Bizic will talk about those hard-working poštseni pioneers who have come before us as we look ahead to future endeavors.
Bizic explained, “I can’t begin to tell you how honored I am to have been invited to speak on this 102nd Anniversary of St. Sava in Merrillville, from the ashes of old ‘Srbska Geri’ to this huge white gleaming Flagship that serves as a Beacon in the Midwest for all Serbian Orthodox people everywhere.”
Bizic is well known in the Serbian community for her extensive work documenting the Serbian and American-Serbian experiences at her website “American Serb History 101 with Baba Mim” that can be found online (http://www.babamim.com/).
The anniversary celebration will begin with Divine Hierarchical Liturgy Officiated by His Grace Bishop Longin and Visiting Clergy beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by an Anniversary Banquet and Program in the St. Sava Event Center beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The program will feature posting of Colors/National Anthem, SSS. Karageorge Choir, recognition of Church Organizations, introduction of guests, and a performance by the St. Sava Folklore Group Srbadija.
More information about special guest speaker Milana “Mim” Bizic
Milana (“Mim”) Karlo Bizic earned a B.S. degree in three (3) years from the University of Pittsburgh where she had a four-year scholarship; a Master’s Degree in 1967; School Library Certification in 1970; and Gifted and Talented Certification in 1981.
Her professional experience includes teaching all Elementary grade level students K-6; Teaching Graduate level courses for Penn State University (Beaver Campus for nine years until 1994), Carlow College and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, where she taught fellow educators how to creatively integrate computers into their curriculums across all disciplines and all grade levels, K-12; working as a Supervisor of Student Teachers for the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) after she retired from working 40+ years teaching in the public schools, most notably for Quaker Valley School District.
Honors received by Milana (“Mim”) Karlo Bizic include:
- Serbian Unity Congress Honoree-1995- 96
- Serb National Federation Person of the Year 2008;
- "Kuma" for St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church, Aliquippa, Aug., 2012
- Tesla Science Foundation Leadership Award, Philadelphia, June 28, 2014
- Named #16 of the 100 most influential Serbs in the world (Srba u Svetu) March 1, 2016 by Blic
According to Dr. Milena Tatic-Bajich of Chicago, IL, “Mim is one of the best ambassadors of the Serbian community that we have. Not only is she poised to let us know what it means to be Serbian, but to be proud of the fact even in an age where it may not be so popular. She truly knows what it means to connect in a real way. The real way is through her own heart and soul and through her living a Serbian life while in America and several generations removed.”
102nd Anniversary Schedule of Events
- 10:00 a.m.
- Divine Liturgy and Parastos, Laying of Memorial Wreath
- 12:30 p.m.
- Anniversary Banquet and Program in the St. Sava Event Center
- Posting of Colors/National Anthem
- S.S.S. Karageorge Choir
- Recognition of Church Organizations
- Introduction of Guests
- St. Sava Folklore Group
- Keynote Speaker – Milana “Mim” Bizic
