Monthly Archives

March 2017

Your recyclable bottle caps are still needed for a park bench at St. Sava

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

The Karageorge Choir at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church is nearing their goal and continues to need your hard plastic caps from various containers so those caps may be converted into a park bench for the children’s playground located adjacent to the church building at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN.

Hard plastic caps from many types of containers including water bottles, soda bottles, laundry soaps, juice boxes, or milk jugs are all suitable. A total of 400 pounds of these types of lids are required to purchase a bench that will be placed at the site of the playground.

Please save your lids and help Karageorge Choir collect enough so a bench can be in place by spring time. You can collect your lids and give them to any choir member at the church.

Karageorge Choir hosts Friday Fish Fry – March 10

The Karageorge Choir is also the host of the “Friday Fish Fry” at St. Sava taking place Friday, March 10 in the Pavilion. Bring your plastic caps and give them to a choir member.

For more information about the fish fry, please visit – https://www.saintsava.net/friday-fish-frys-continue-at-st-sava-in-merrillville-friday-mar-10/

Order Yankee Candles online for Sunday School Fundraiser before deadline – Sunday, Mar. 12

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

The St. Sava Sunday School in Merrillville, Indiana continues their Yankee Candle® Fundraiser and they need your help!

The Sunday School is raising funds for special programs and materials. The group earns 40% of every dollar you spend. The deadline for online orders is Sunday, March 12 and deadline for paper order forms are due Sunday, March 19.

If you know a Sunday School student at St. Sava, you can make purchases from their order forms and you’ll have the chance to ask them about their favorite parts of the Sunday School experience! Plus, the top selling student will receive a cash reward!

Even if you don’t personally know a Sunday School student, or if you live too far away, you can still support the Sunday School by making purchases online through a special online store that credits the Sunday School fundraising directly and items are shipped direct to your door.

If you order online, make sure to you the St. Sava Group Number during the checkout process so the Sunday School will get credit for your purchase. The number is 990017462.

Simply click here to see the exciting collection of America’s Best Loved Candles™, candle accessories, flameless fragrance and assorted gift wrap. Shop online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – everything is shipped directly to you.

If you are having trouble with the above link, you may copy and paste the following link in to your browser:

https://www.yankeecandlefundraising.com/mobshop.htm

The St. Sava Sunday School fundraiser will be running for a limited time. Online sales will end Sunday, March 12, 2017 and all paper order forms from students are due Sunday, March 19, 2017.

Please help the Sunday School by placing your order before the end of the sale.

Friday Fish Frys continue at St. Sava in Merrillville – Friday, Mar. 10

By | Fundraising, General Information/News | No Comments

The legendary Fish Frys continue and we invite you to join us for our “Friday Fish Frys” at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana throughout the Orthodox Lenten season. Everyone is welcome to join us for a delicious meal! Carry-out is also available!

The Friday Fish Frys will take every Friday evening through April 14 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Pavilion at St. Sava Church 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

Choose from Cod, Perch, Shrimp, or the Serbian specialty known as Bakalar – Combo plates also available. All dinners include fish of choice, soup, french fries, coleslaw, and bread. Lenten salad bar and desserts also available. Beverages also available for purchase.

Friday Fish Frys will take place throughout the Orthodox Lenten season. These dinners are open to the general public every Friday throughout Great Lent until the Friday before Easter.

Dinner Options

  • Cod Dinner or Ocean Perch Dinner: $12.00 – Dinner comes with bowl of soup, bread, 3 pieces of fish, fries, and coleslaw
  • Shrimp or Bakalar Dinner: $13.00
    • Shrimp dinner comes with bowl of soup, bread, 8 shrimp, fries, and coleslaw
    • Bakalar dinner comes with bowl of soup, bread, bakalar and coleslaw
  • Cod/Perch Combo Plate: $12.00 – Combo to chooose to have 1 piece + 2 pieces of your choice with soup/bread fries coleslaw
  • Cod/Shrimp Combo Plate: $13.00 – 2 Fish 3 shrimp soup bread fries slaw
  • Perch/Shrimp Combo Plate: $13.00 – 2 Fish 3 shrimp soup bread fries slaw
  • Seafood Plate: $15.00 – Bakalar, 1 piece of perch or Cod, 4 shrimp Soup, bread, fries, coleslaw

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 Dates at St. Sava Church – Merrillville, Indiana

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

  • March 3, 2017 hosted by the St. Sava Executive Board
  • March 10, 2017 hosted by Karageorge Choir
  • March 17, 2017 hosted by Srbadija Folklore (Youth Folklore)
  • March 24, 2017 hosted by Serbian Sisters Circle “Kolo”
  • March 31, 2017 hosted by St. Sava Sunday School
  • April 7, 2017 hosted by St. Sava Executive Board
  • April 14, 2017 hosted by St. Sava Executive Board

Orthodox Faith: Special discussion series continues at St. Sava – Wednesday, Mar. 8

By | General Information/News | No Comments

Father Bogdan Zjalic and Father Marko Matic will lead a series of discussions relating to the Orthodox Faith Wednesday, Mar. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

The discussion series session provides an opportunity for everyone to gain new perspectives in the Orthodox Faith, including people currently participating in the Orthodox Faith and people from the community who are curious to learn more about the Orthodox Faith.

The sessions are free and open to everyone. The sessions will take place in the South Wing Social Center at the south end of the main Church building near the parking lot entrance.

The first discussion series session took place in February and will continue to take place monthly with three more sessions currently on the calendar.

This special discussion series is being launched as result of a successful event earlier in January 2017 where Father Bogdan Zjalic presented the topic, “Human Relationship with Jesus Christ” with more than a dozen people attending to listen to the presentation and ask questions.

This special discussion series is also one of several new initiatives that have taken place in recent months at St Sava Church in Merrillville that provide opportunities for members of St. Sava, members of other Orthodox Churches, and community members to engage in unique spiritual and cultural learning opportunities.

Such opportunities have included learning about the history of the Cyrillic Alphabet, participating in a class to learn how to read and write the Cyrillic alphabet, and a Serbian Language class currently in session that is teaching participants the basics of conversational Serbian Language.

For more information about this discussion series, please send e-mail to ivana.stankovic@saintsava.net.

Upcoming Orthodox Faith Discussion Sessions

  • Wednesday, March 8 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 5 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 10 – 6:30 p.m.

Exhibition and presentation of Serbian national folk costumes at St. Sava in Merrillville – Tuesday, Mar. 7

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

Click image to enlarge

Visualize and engage different geographic regions of Serbia through an exhibition of handmade folklore dance costumes and art taking place Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the South Wing Social Center at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana. The event is free and open to the public.

Choreographer and folk artist Milos Drljevic Djakovac will showcase various costumes, including those he has handmade, representing differing areas of Serbia. He will provide a presentation with illustrations and talk about the different styles of Serbian folk costumes in relation to their geographic regions of Serbia. The presentation will provide insights about the fabrics, the colors, and the intricate designs.

Special guest and noted Chicago area artist Gordana Nenadovic, will talk about elements of folklore and folk costumes in Serbian painting and naive art.

Nenadovic is an artist, professor, and noted icon painter living and working in Chicago. Her work has been exhibited in the US, Canada, Germany, Russia, Switzerland and throughout many cities in Serbia. She specializes in Byzantine style icons and other forms of art including wall mural decorative artistic painting.

Srbadija Folklore featured on Lakeshore Public Television Channel 56

Srbadija Youth Folklore Group of St. Sava Church in Merrillville was recently featured on the Lakeshore Public Media program “Eye on the Arts” showcasing the importance of this cultural heritage experience.

Click the play button on the YouTube video below to see the segment from the television show.

[youtube id=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxU7oidazWI” width=”600″ height=”350″ autoplay=”no” api_params=”” class=””]

 

Watch now: Lakeshore Public Television features Srbadija Folklore of St. Sava Merrillville

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

Lakeshore Public Media of Northwest Indiana recently featured “Srbadija Folklore” of St. Sava Church in Merrillville, Indiana on their “Eye on the Arts” television program.

Then join us this week for a special exhibition and presentation about folklore dance costumes at St. Sava Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.saintsava.net/watch-dance-or-learn-3-ways-you-can-experience-serbian-folklore-dance-culture-this-week-at-st-sava-in-merrillville/

Watch the television segment below by clicking on the Youtube video.

[youtube id=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxU7oidazWI” width=”600″ height=”350″ autoplay=”no” api_params=”” class=””]

Orthodox Faith discussion series continues at St. Sava – Wednesday, Mar. 8

By | General Information/News | No Comments

Father Bogdan Zjalic and Father Marko Matic will lead a series of discussions relating to the Orthodox Faith Wednesday, Mar. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

The discussion series session provides an opportunity for everyone to gain new perspectives in the Orthodox Faith, including people currently participating in the Orthodox Faith and people from the community who are curious to learn more about the Orthodox Faith.

The sessions are free and open to everyone. The sessions will take place in the South Wing Social Center at the south end of the main Church building near the parking lot entrance.

The first discussion series session took place in February and will continue to take place monthly with three more sessions currently on the calendar.

This special discussion series is being launched as result of a successful event earlier in January 2017 where Father Bogdan Zjalic presented the topic, “Human Relationship with Jesus Christ” with more than a dozen people attending to listen to the presentation and ask questions.

This special discussion series is also one of several new initiatives that have taken place in recent months at St Sava Church in Merrillville that provide opportunities for members of St. Sava, members of other Orthodox Churches, and community members to engage in unique spiritual and cultural learning opportunities.

Such opportunities have included learning about the history of the Cyrillic Alphabet, participating in a class to learn how to read and write the Cyrillic alphabet, and a Serbian Language class currently in session that is teaching participants the basics of conversational Serbian Language.

For more information about this discussion series, please send e-mail to ivana.stankovic@saintsava.net.

Upcoming Orthodox Faith Discussion Sessions

  • Wednesday, March 8 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 5 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 10 – 6:30 p.m.

Watch, dance, or learn: 3 ways you can experience Serbian folklore dance culture this week at St. Sava in Merrillville

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

Whether you’ve only seen the glistening domes topped with crosses as you’ve driven down I-65, enjoyed delicious spit roasted lamb at the annual Serb Fest in the summer, or regularly participate in services every Sunday morning, you have three unique opportunities over the next several days to explore the interesting facets of Serbian folklore dance culture taking place at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, IN.

You’ll be able to watch a special feature on television, join us to learn some dance steps during an open dance session, or learn more about the folk costumes and art at an exhibition and presentation.

You don’t have to be Serbian to learn something new or have fun. In fact, everyone in the community is invited to join us as we share and contribute to the cultural diversity in Northwest Indiana.

Check out the options below and join us for these unique experiences!

#1 – Watch it on TV: Tune in to see the story of “Srbadija” youth folklore featured on Lakeshore Public Television Channel 56

The youth folklore group named “Srbadija” of St. Sava Church in Merrillville will be featured on the locally produced Lakeshore Public Media program “Eye on the Arts” that will air Friday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 5th at 8:30 a.m.

You’ll learn about the story of how this unique art form helps connect youth today, but also connect them with a heritage that spans the generations.

Click the play button on the YouTube video below to see the full television show segment.

[youtube id=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxU7oidazWI” width=”600″ height=”350″ autoplay=”no” api_params=”” class=””]

Tune in to Comcast channel 239 or Channel 56 on Broadcast, DIRECTV, and DISH.

#2 – Dance it with us: Weekly folklore dance sessions open to adults from around the community every Monday evening

  • When: Monday, March 6th at 7:00 p.m.
  • Where: South Wing Social Center, St. Sava Church at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN

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.

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

The open group seeks 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 – you will be dancing like a pro by the time the fest rolls around if you practice – 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 these 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.

#3 – Learn its rich history: Serbian national folk costume exhibition and presentation

  • When: Tuesday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m.
  • Where: South Wing Social Center, St. Sava Church at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, IN

Visualize and engage different geographic regions of Serbia through an exhibition of handmade folklore dance costumes and art taking place Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the South Wing Social Center at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana. The event is free and open to the public.

Choreographer and folk artist Milos Drljevic Djakovac will showcase various costumes, including those he has handmade, representing differing areas of Serbia. He will provide a presentation with illustrations and talk about the different styles of Serbian folk costumes in relation to their geographic regions of Serbia. The presentation will provide insights about the fabrics, the colors, and the intricate designs.

Special guest and noted Chicago area artist Gordana Nenadovic, will talk about elements of folklore and folk costumes in Serbian painting and naive art.

Nenadovic is an artist, professor, and noted icon painter living and working in Chicago. Her work has been exhibited in the US, Canada, Germany, Russia, Switzerland and throughout many cities in Serbia. She specializes in Byzantine style icons and other forms of art including wall mural decorative artistic painting.

 

Friday Fish Frys at St. Sava in Merrillville begin – Friday, Mar. 3

By | Fundraising, General Information/News | No Comments

The legendary Fish Frys are returning and we invite you to join us for our “Friday Fish Frys” 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 every Friday evening between March 3 and April 14 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Pavilion at St. Sava Church 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

Choose from Cod, Perch, Shrimp, or Bakalar – Combo plates also available. All dinners include fish of choice, soup, french fries, coleslaw, and bread. Lenten salad bar and desserts also available for additional cost. Beverages also available for purchase.

Friday Fish Frys will take place throughout the Orthodox Lenten season. These dinners are open to the general public every Friday throughout Great Lent until the Friday before Easter.

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 Dates at St. Sava Church – Merrillville, Indiana

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

  • March 3, 2017 hosted by the St. Sava Executive Board
  • March 10, 2017 hosted by Karageorge Choir
  • March 17, 2017 hosted by Srbadija Folklore (Youth Folklore)
  • March 24, 2017 hosted by Serbian Sisters Circle “Kolo”
  • March 31, 2017 hosted by St. Sava Sunday School
  • April 7, 2017 hosted by St. Sava Executive Board
  • April 14, 2017 hosted by St. Sava Executive Board

Mihailo “Mike” Bjelopetrovich – 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 Mihailo “Mike” Bjelopetrovich. Memory eternal.

Mihailo “Mike” Bjelopetrovich, age 63 (August 21, 1953 – February 26, 2017), passed away Sunday, February 26, 2017.

Beloved son of the late Mirko and Zorka; Loving brother of Ljubica, Vida, and the late Bozidar; Fond brother-in-law of Janice; Cherished uncle of Tania, Alexandra, Nikolai, Anastasia; Great uncle to Victoria, Calvin, Lanardo; and fond cousin to many.

Funeral Service will take place at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4 at New Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Monastery, Third Lake. Interment New Gracanica Cemetery.

Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 3 at Muzyka & Son Funeral Home, 5776 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60630 with Pomen (Wake Service) at 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name. For more information, please call (773) 545-3800.