Monthly Archives

October 2015

Serbian Bake Sale at St. Sava Church – Save-the-Date – November 21

By | Fundraising, General Information/News, Kolo Sisters | No Comments

Preparations are ongoing among the Kolo Sisters as they get ready to host the Annual Serbian Bake Sale taking place November 21, 2015 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN.

More details will be coming soon.

Members of the Kolo will have a variety of cookies, strudels, nutrolls and other pasteries for sale. Everyone is invited to this Bake Sale. This will be the best opportunity to take home some of the finest handcrafted, traditional desserts in the greater Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland area. Funds generated through this Bake Sale help support the church and the various humanitarian efforts of the St. Sava Serbian Sisters Circle.

Please refer to the St. Sava Church online calendar at www.saintsava.net/calendar for more information about the Bake Sale and other events open to members of St. Sava Church, fellow Orthodox Christians, and the general public from around our community.

St. Sava Folklore to perform at Gracanica Folklore Fall Festival Oct. 24

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

The St. Sava folklore group Srbadija will perform at the Gracanica Folklore Group Fall Festival taking place Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Celebrate the beginning of another great year together with dancing, music, food and great friends.

The festival will take place at Gracanica Hall, Most Holy Mother of God Monastery, 35240 N. Grant Street, Third Lake, IL 60046. Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be a $10 cover charge and food and drinks will be available for purchase.

After the dance festival performances there will be an open dance with DJ Petko providing music.

This Fall Festival hosted by the Gracanica Folklore Group is one of two annual dance festivals taking place each year, the other taking place yearly in the spring.

For more information about the Gracanica Folklore Group Fall Festival contact Sladjana Selakovic at gracanicafolklore@gmail.com.

This performance at the Gracanica Folklore Group Fall Festival  by Srbadija of St. Sava will represent another showcase of St. Sava youth talent. Srbadija performed at the Valparaiso Wold Culture Fest in mid September and recently returned from a special performance in San Francisco, California in early October.

Srbadija is currently adding new performance dates, hosting luncheons, and planning new special events to celebrate the Serbian culture. Look for more performance and event announcements by visiting the Srbadija Folklore website at http://www.saint.sava.net/folklore.

View all events relating to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church open to church members and the public in the surrounding community by visiting our online calendar – http://sww.saintsava.net/calendar.

Very Reverend Vasilije Sokolovic – 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 Very Reverend Vasilije Budimir Sokolovic. Memory eternal.

Very Reverend Vasilije Budimir Sokolovic, age 77 (May 13, 1938 – October 10, 2015), Orthodox priest of 45 years, retired parish priest of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Cleveland fell asleep in our Lord Jesus Christ Saturday, October 10, 2015. May his Memory be Eternal – Vecnaja Pamjat!

Son of Holy Priestmartyr Saint Budimir of Dobrun and the late Protinica Desanka Sokolovic. He was the 42nd ordained priest in the Sokolovic lineage.

Beloved husband of Protinica Zagorka “Zorine” (nee Vitkovich). Dear father of Mirjana (Milan) Damljanovic and Deacon Teodor (Tanja). Loving grandfather of Maksim, Makarije, Izabella, and Metodije. Dear brother of Mirjana (deceased) and Vladimir (Erika). Friend and Kumovi to many.

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will take place Friday, October 16 at 8:00 AM at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 6306 Broadview Road, Parma, OH followed by funeral liturgy at 11:00 a.m.

His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrophan officiating. The V. Rev. Vasilije Sokolovic will lie in state at church on Thursday, October 15 from 3-8:00 p.m. POMEN service 7:00 p.m.

Interment Monastery Marcha Serbian Orthodox Cemetery. Arrangements by the Donald A. Faulhaber Funeral Home – www.faulhaberfuneralhome.com.

Celebrate New Gracanica Monastery Slava – Wednesday, Oct. 14

By | General Information/News, Religious Observances | No Comments
New Gracanica Monastery, 35240 W Grant Ave. Third Lake IL 60046

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

Senior Luncheon at St. Sava begins at Noon – Thursday, Oct. 15

By | General Information/News, Kolo Sisters | No Comments

Please attend the Senior Luncheon beginning at Noon, Thursday, October 15 in the South Wing Social Center at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, IN.

The Senior Luncheon is hosted by Kolo for all members of our Church and Kolo. This luncheon will be hosted by Kathy Kolenich. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Kolo members and see what else they have in store for you. Please feel free to bring a friend.

This is a great opportunity to show appreciation for our seniors, hear stories of so much great history, and share in the fellowship with the people who have helped build the vibrant spirit and culture of St. Sava Church. Please share word of this unique opportunity and consider helping our seniors with rides to help them attend and celebrate a delicious lunch with dear friends.

For more information, please call the Church Office at 219-736-9191.

Memory of 192 loved ones recognized at memorial service

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

Parishioners attending the Zadusnice Memorial Service brought forward 192 names of departed loved ones to be shared and recognized Saturday morning, Oct. 10 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, IN.

The purpose of the memorial service was to bring comfort to both the living and the dead. As is sung in the concluding song – Memory Eternal – it also helps us keep the memory of the loved one alive.

Zadusnice, also known as Saturday of Souls or All Souls’ Day, is a day commemorating the faithful departed, particularly but not exclusively one’s relatives. This special observance takes place on a Saturday, a traditional day for prayer for the dead, because Christ lay dead in the Tomb on Saturday.

For the Zadusnice observance, parishioners write down the names of their departed loved ones and share them with clergy prior to the start of the service. The Panikhida (memorial service) is then served on the Saturday morning for which Koliva (a dish made of boiled wheatberries and honey) is prepared and placed in front of the cross or icon with a lit candle, before which the Panikhida is served.

After the service, the priest blesses the koliva and it is then eaten as a memorial by all present.

Zadusnice Memorial Service takes place four times per year. If you were not able to attend this most recent service, we encourage you to save-the-date for November 7 to join us for the next Zadusnice Memorial Service .

We also encourage you to join us at any of our events at St. Sava by visiting our online calendar at https://www.saintsava.net/calendar/.

Clothing Donations for Children due before Oct. 17

By | Fundraising, General Information/News | No Comments

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, IN is working in partnership with Lifeline Chicago to generate clothing donations for Serbian children who are living in orphanages, transition homes and shelters in the greater Belgrade region.

Located outside the Church Office are boards with tags that contain names of specific children in need along with information about the items of clothing that may be purchased and offered as a donation. You will find name tags with children in need of shoes, socks, and sweatshirts in specific sizes.

Please visit the boards and select a name or multiple names for which you may be able to provide a donation. Donations are due before October 17. The Church Office is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, please call 219-736-9191.

Sunday School hosts luncheon – Sunday, Oct. 11

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

Join us for a luncheon hosted by the St. Sava Sunday School this Sunday, Oct. 11 immediately following the Divine Liturgy. Various types of Sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, salads and desserts will be served. The donations and proceeds from this luncheon will go towards the Sunday School and helps to keep our children engaged in activities throughout the year.

Sunday School officially began September 20th but it’s not too late to register children for this school year. There are numerous special events on the calendar and lots of opportunities for your children to build lifelong friendships. Visit the Sunday School in the North Wing of the Church this Sunday to sign-up new students at the beginning of classes and join us for lunch after church.

Join us for Zadusnice – Memorial Service – Saturday, Oct. 10

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

Please join us for a special Zadusnice Memorial Service taking place Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Sava Church, Merrillville, IN.

We encourage anyone to attend. There is no need to bring anything special to this service other than your memories and prayers for your loved ones. However, we do encourage you to write down a list, if you wish, of departed family members and friends to bring with you to the service so that we may remember all of them.

The purpose of the memorial service is to bring comfort to both the living and the dead. As is sung in the concluding song – Memory Eternal – it also helps us keep the memory of the loved one alive.

Zadusnice, also known as Saturday of Souls or All Souls’ Day, is a day commemorating the faithful departed, particularly but not exclusively one’s relatives. This special observance takes place on a Saturday, a traditional day for prayer for the dead, because Christ lay dead in the Tomb on Saturday.

For the Zadusnice observance, there is normally a Panikhida (memorial service) served on the Saturday morning for which Koliva (a dish made of boiled wheatberries and honey) is prepared and placed in front of the cross or icon with a lit candle, before which the Panikhida is served.

After the service, the priest blesses the koliva and it is then eaten as a memorial by all present.

Zadusnice Memorial Service takes place four times per year. If you are not available this Saturday, we encourage you to save-the-date for November 7 to join us for the next Zadusnice Memorial Service .

We also encourage you to join us at any of our events at St. Sava by visiting our online calendar at https://www.saintsava.net/calendar/.

St. Sava Kolo Sisters Meeting – Sunday, Oct. 11

By | General Information/News, Kolo Sisters | No Comments

The Merrillville St. Sava Kolo Sisters will have a meeting taking place this coming Sunday, Oct. 11 following the Divine Liturgy and luncheon to discuss and organize several special upcoming events.

The meeting will focus primarily on the planning for the upcoming Kolo Slava celebration taking place Sunday, Oct. 25 and will include a banquet at St. Sava following the Divine Liturgy. The Kolo Sisters are actively seeking the donation of pastries for the Oct. 25 celebration.

Also on the agenda for this Sunday’s meeting will be discussion about the annual Kolo Bake Sale and Church Anniversary which will both take place in late November.

Please join the Kolo this Sunday, Oct. 11 to learn more and offer support for these important upcoming events.