Monthly Archives

April 2016

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

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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

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

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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.

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.

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

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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.

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

Lenten Services Schedule throughout New Gracanica Midwest Diocese now available

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The schedule of Lenten Vesper Services taking place throughout the New Gracanica Midwest Diocese, Chicago Deanery – 2016 is now available online and for download.

Services will take place at various Serbian Churches throughout the Diocese. See the schedule listed below for specific locations and other information.

Lenten Service Schedule for New Gracanica Midwest Diocese

Vespers – Saturday – April 2, 2016

  • Services at St. Sava, Merrillville, IN at 6:00 p.m.
  • Preaching – Fr. Radovan Jakovljevic

Vespers – 3rd Sunday – April 3, 2016

  • Services at St. Elijah Cathedral, Merrillville, IN at 6:00 p.m.
  • Preaching – Fr. Ilija Balach

Vespers – Friday – April 8, 2016

  • Services at Holy Resurrection, Chicago, IL at 6:00 p.m.
  • Preaching – Fr. Marko Matic

Vespers – Saturday – April 9, 2016

  • Services at St. Nicholas, Brookfield, IL
  • Preaching – Fr. Aleksandar Savic

Vespers – 4th Sunday – April 10, 2016

  • Services at St. George, East Chicago, IN at 6:00 p.m.
  • Preaching – Fr. Milos Vesin

Presanctified Liturgy – Friday – April 15, 2016

  • Services at Monastery New Gracanica
  • Clergy confession and conference
  • Second Vigil – Monastery New Gracanica at 5:00 p.m.
  • Diocesan Annual Assembly at 7:00 p.m.

Diocesan Annual Assembly – Saturday, April 16, 2016

  • Assembly continued from previous day at Monastery New Gracanica

Vespers – 5th Sunday – April 17, 2016

  • Services at St. Peter and Paul, South Bend, IN at 6:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. CDT)
  • Preaching – Fr. Dobrivoje Milunovic

Presanctified Liturgy – Friday – April 22, 2016

  • Services at St. George, Schererville, IN at 6:00 p.m.
  • Preaching – Fr. Dennis Pavichevich

Vespers – 6th Sunday (Palm Sunday) – April 24, 2016

  • Services at St. George, Joliet, IL at 6:00 p.m.
  • Preaching – Fr. Vasilije Vranic

Presanctified Liturgies continue weekly during lent – Wednesday, April 6

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The next Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts service will take place Wednesday, April 6 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.

St. Sava announces dates for Summer Camp 2016 in Merrillville

By | Children's Choir, Folklore Groups, General Information/News, Historical Society, Karageorge Choir, Kolo Sisters, Sunday School | No Comments

Summer Camp 2016 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana will take place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday beginning the week of June 13, 2016.

Children may come for all three days of the camp or only for specific days as noted at time of registration.

The camp is open to ALL children throughout the greater Northwest Indiana and Chicago area communities regardless of religious background. Whether you go to church every Sunday or have never seen the inside of a church, all children are welcome at the St. Sava Summer Camp in Merrillville, Indiana.

Registration is required before June 1 and the form will be available for download from the church website along with news updates about the camp that will be available at www.saintsava.net/blog through the registration deadline.

There is no charge for this camp, but donations are greatly appreciated.

Each Day of camp will be hosted by different organizations of the church with special activities planned for each day.

  • Monday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – hosted by Karageorge Choir and Historical Society
  • Wednesday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – hosted by Sunday School and Kolo
  • Friday, June 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – hosted by Srbadija Folklore Group

The camp drop-off and pick-up Monday and Wednesday will take place at St. Sava Church in Merrillville, IN. Friday will be a field trip with the day extended to 4 p.m. and the location to-be-determined.

The camp is looking for high school and college students to work as chaperones. Please e-mail karen.knezic@saintsava.net to volunteer or request more information.

Visit the St. Sava Merrillville Summer Camp 2016 Facebook Event Page for more information.

Lenten Friday Fish Fry April 1st at St. Sava in Merrillville is No Joke

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

While pranksters may be playing jokes throughout the day on April 1st, some in the Northwest Indiana community may wonder if there really is a Lenten Fish Fry taking place a week after so many people in the community have already celebrated Easter?

It’s no joke as the legendary “Friday Fish Frys” continue at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana throughout the Orthodox Lenten season. Everyone is welcome to join us for a delicious meal!

This year the Serbian Orthodox Easter is taking place place May 1, just over a month after Easter was celebrated March 27 on the Western Calendar. This gives everyone in Northwest Indiana community a few extra weeks of delicious Fish Frys!

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

Fish fry choices this 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 Srbadija Folklore of St. Sava Church, our youth dance group. Learn more about the our folklore groups at www.saintsava.net/folklore on our website.

Friday Fish Frys will take place throughout the Orthodox Lenten season. These dinners are open to the general public and with Serbian Orthodox Easter taking place place May 1 this year, just over a month after Easter is 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 Dates 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