Religious Observances

Join us Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2025 beginning at 6:00 p.m. for Great Vespers and blessing of the Badnjak at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church located at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Badnjak

The following writing titled “The Spiritual Meaning of the Badnjak” (Yule Log) was originally written by Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic and reprinted in the Tuesday, Jan. 7, 1992 issue of the American SRBOBRAN, p. 5.

Have you ever brought a Badnjak into your home?

Do you know that the Badnjak is the finest and foremost custom of all the many traditions by which our people enhance the Christmas celebration?

The Serbs begin the celebration of Christmas with the solemn ceremony of bringing in a young OAK tree to the house.

An OAK is usually the most solid tree and produces the most heat.

Have you ever anointed the Badnjak with honey?

Have you rejoiced with your children watching its light emitted in a swarm of sparks?

Have you enjoyed its heat?

The Badnjak is the tree of happiness and sweetness, the tree of health, strength and youth, the tree of life and love.

Is there a tree of happiness in this world?  Is the Badnjak that tree or is it a semblance and symbol of that tree?  Yes, it is only the symbol and semblance.  The real tree of Happiness is HE Who was born on that radiant day.

The bringing of the Badnjak into the house represents Christ’s coming into the world and His coming into our homes and our souls!

What a glorious custom and marvelous scene!

The Badnjak represents Christ.  As a young and powerful tree the King of Love gave Himself to be slain in order to rejuvenate the world by the fragrance of eteral youth; to thaw a frozen mankind by the fire of His love; to enlighten and bring joy to all men by the flame of His Divine Revelation; to annihilate the false Gods on earth by the sparks of His words; to sweeten the bitter waters by the sweet juice of His blood.

Having brought the Badnjaks into your homes, have you brought Christ into your homes and your souls?

A picture is only a picture, but Christ is the reality.  The Badnjak is a picture of the tree of happiness and as a picture is a warning and reminder that you should bring into your homes and your souls the real tree of Happiness, the Son of God, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

His teaching, His sermon on the Mount was the sermon of Happiness and contains the only charter human happiness.  He Himself represents the true and eternal Tree of Happiness.

Connect with your local Orthodox community

This is a special time of the year and a great opportunity to connect with your local Orthodox church community. Whether you are well established within your own Orthodox community or new and seeking to learn more, the holidays are great time to find fellowship and warmth with many great people and churches.

If you are in Northwest Indiana or the Chicagoland area, we welcome you to visit us at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana. There are special services taking place frequently during January, please click the following link for more information and visit us to find your spiritual connections – Schedule of Services – https://www.saintsava.net/celebrations-begin-christmas-eve-at-st-sava-in-merrillville-tuesday-january-6/

Join us for the celebration of Orthodox Christmas beginning with Divine Liturgy taking place at 9:00 a.m. and Great Vespers taking place at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 6 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

The Blessing and burning of the Badnjak will take place immediately following the Great Vespers.

Divine Liturgy will take place Christmas morning beginning at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 7.

The complete listing of services taking place during this special time of the year is listed below.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Badnjak

Burning of the Badnjak outside the Pavilion at St. Sava Church, Merrillville, Indiana.

Have you ever brought a Badnjak into your home? Do you know that the Badnjak is the finest and foremost custom of all the many traditions by which our people enhance the Christmas celebration?

Click here to read an article explaining the Spiritual Meaning of the Badnjak.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES  –   РАСПОРЕД  БОГОСЛУЖЕЊА

TUESDAY, January 6th

• CHRISTMAS EVE:
  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM.
  • Great Vespers at 6:00PM. Blessing and burning of Badnjak.
• БАДЊИ ДАН:
  • Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру.
  • Празнично вечерње у 6:00 увече. Освећење и паљење Бадњака.

WEDNESDAY, January 7th

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

THURSDAY, January 8th

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

FRIDAY, January 9th

• ST. STEPHEN THE ARCHDEACON: Divine Liturgy 9:00AM
• СВЕТИ АРХИЂАКОН СТЕФАН: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру
• Cutting of Slava Kolach after Holy Liturgy

Father John of the Greek Orthodox Church, visiting from Greece will be present to bless and cross all who wish to come and venerate the Cross of Christ during special hours Friday, October 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Merrillville, Indiana.

• St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
  9191 Mississippi Street
  Merrillville, Indiana 46410

Fr. John has been granted the high honor of carrying a fragment of the True Cross of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, which has worked and continues to work miracles amongst the faithful, and through God’s Providence even those who are found lacking of such faith.

During the period of Greek captivity under the Ottoman Turks, and prior, many monasteries, Churches, and places of worship were desecrated and destroyed, resulting in the destruction and loss of many priceless spiritual relics and treasures from amongst the glory of Christendom.  This reality encouraged the priests, hierarchies, and Holy Fathers of the Great Church of Christ, that is the Orthodox Church, to distribute these holy artifacts amongst the faithful, entrusting to them the safeguarding of such spiritual gifts until the time was fulfilled and they were instructed on how to act with regards to these articles, icons, relics, and even pieces and fragments of the True Cross of Christ.

One fragment of the True Cross, embedded also with the sacrificial blood of our Lord, was found to be with a pious woman in Greece.  The Mother of God appeared to her instructing her to deliver the Cross to Fr John when he was still a young priest, which this pious soul was faithful to do, according to our Lady’s instructions.  Surrendering the Cross, it is until this day under the care of Father John.

The gift of the Lord’s Salvation has come to grace St. Sava’s Church.  This Friday the Cross will be present for all those who are able and willing to come to the Lord and turn to Him that they should be healed.  All who are able and all who ail are encouraged to come.

Please join fellow parishioners from throughout Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area for Lenten Vesper Services taking place this Sunday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in East Chicago, Indiana.

The full calendar of these services is listed below.

Lenten Services Schedule 2025

• March 2nd Cheese Fare Sunday – Forgiveness Vespers – St. Sava Church, Merrillville, IN -6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr Dr Mile Subotic
• March 9th Sunday of Orthodoxy, Inter Orthodox Vespers – Local schedule
• March 16th Sunday of St Gregory Palama, Vespers – St. George, East Chicago, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr Aleksandar Novakovic
• March 23rd Sunday of Ven of the Cross, Vespers – St. Elijah, Merrillville, 6 P.M.
  Homilist- Fr. Vladimir Lange
• March 30th Sunday of St John Climacus, Vespers – St. Arch Michael, Lansing, 6. P.M.
  Homilist – Fr. Marko Matic
• April 6th Sunday of St Mary of Egypt, Vespers – Sts. Peter and Paul, South Bend, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr. Aleksandar Savic
• Friday, April 11th, Presanctified Liturgy – St. George, Schererville, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr Milorad Jancic
• April 13th Palm Sunday, Vespers – St. Simeon, South Chicago, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr. Radovan Jakovljevic
• P.S. St. Nicholas Parish in Indianapolis will hold Lenten Services with the local Churches.

Lenten Services Schedule 2025

• March 2nd Cheese Fare Sunday – Forgiveness Vespers – St. Sava Church, Merrillville, IN -6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr Dr Mile Subotic
• March 9th Sunday of Orthodoxy, Inter Orthodox Vespers – Local schedule
• March 16th Sunday of St Gregory Palama, Vespers – St. George, East Chicago, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr Aleksandar Novakovic
• March 23rd Sunday of Ven of the Cross, Vespers – St. Elijah, Merrillville, 6 P.M.
  Homilist- Fr. Vladimir Lange
• March 30th Sunday of St John Climacus, Vespers – St. Arch Michael, Lansing, 6. P.M.
  Homilist – Fr. Marko Matic
• April 6th Sunday of St Mary of Egypt, Vespers – Sts. Peter and Paul, South Bend, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr. Aleksandar Savic
• Friday, April 11th, Presanctified Liturgy – St. George, Schererville, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr Milorad Jancic
• April 13th Palm Sunday, Vespers – St. Simeon, South Chicago, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr. Radovan Jakovljevic
• P.S. St. Nicholas Parish in Indianapolis will hold Lenten Services with the local Churches.

Please join us this Sunday, March 2 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, Indiana for Great Lenten Vesper Service with His Eminence Metropolitan Longin, visiting clergy, and guests. Responses by Karageorge Choir.

Lenten dinner to follow.

Click here to download a printable flyer and schedule of these special events.

Lenten Services Schedule 2025

• March 2nd Cheese Fare Sunday – Forgiveness Vespers – St. Sava Church, Merrillville, IN -6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr Dr Mile Subotic
• March 9th Sunday of Orthodoxy, Inter Orthodox Vespers – Local schedule
• March 16th Sunday of St Gregory Palama, Vespers – St. George, East Chicago, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr Aleksandar Novakovic
• March 23rd Sunday of Ven of the Cross, Vespers – St. Elijah, Merrillville, 6 P.M.
  Homilist- Fr. Vladimir Lange
• March 30th Sunday of St John Climacus, Vespers – St. Arch Michael, Lansing, 6. P.M.
  Homilist – Fr. Marko Matic
• April 6th Sunday of St Mary of Egypt, Vespers – Sts. Peter and Paul, South Bend, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr. Aleksandar Savic
• Friday, April 11th, Presanctified Liturgy – St. George, Schererville, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr Milorad Jancic
• April 13th Palm Sunday, Vespers – St. Simeon, South Chicago, 6 P.M.
  Homilist – Fr. Radovan Jakovljevic
• P.S. St. Nicholas Parish in Indianapolis will hold Lenten Services with the local Churches.

Father John of the Greek Orthodox Church, visiting from Greece will be present to bless and cross all who wish to come and venerate the Cross of Christ during special hours Friday, February 7 from Noon to 7:00 p.m. at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Merrillville, Indiana.

• St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
  9191 Mississippi Street
  Merrillville, Indiana 46410

Fr. John has been granted the high honor of carrying a fragment of the True Cross of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, which has worked and continues to work miracles amongst the faithful, and through God’s Providence even those who are found lacking of such faith.

During the period of Greek captivity under the Ottoman Turks, and prior, many monasteries, Churches, and places of worship were desecrated and destroyed, resulting in the destruction and loss of many priceless spiritual relics and treasures from amongst the glory of Christendom.  This reality encouraged the priests, hierarchies, and Holy Fathers of the Great Church of Christ, that is the Orthodox Church, to distribute these holy artifacts amongst the faithful, entrusting to them the safeguarding of such spiritual gifts until the time was fulfilled and they were instructed on how to act with regards to these articles, icons, relics, and even pieces and fragments of the True Cross of Christ.

One fragment of the True Cross, embedded also with the sacrificial blood of our Lord, was found to be with a pious woman in Greece.  The Mother of God appeared to her instructing her to deliver the Cross to Fr John when he was still a young priest, which this pious soul was faithful to do, according to our Lady’s instructions.  Surrendering the Cross, it is until this day under the care of Father John.

The gift of the Lord’s Salvation has come to grace St. Sava’s Church.  This Friday the Cross will be present for all those who are able and willing to come to the Lord and turn to Him that they should be healed.  All who are able and all who ail are encouraged to come.

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.

• Download 2024 Easter schedule at St. Sava Merrvillle in Serbain and English languages

Holy Week and Easter Schedule of Services

• LAZARUS SATURDAY – APRIL 27th 2024
  • Confession at 9:00 a.m.; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.– VRBICA
• PALM SUNDAY – APRIL 28th 2024
  • Confession at 9:00; Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
• HOLY WEDNESDAY – May 1st 2024
  • Presanctified Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
  • Holy Unction: St. Archangel Michalen, Lansing – 6:00 p.m.
• HOLY THURSDAY – May 2nd 2024
  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
  • The Great Vigil: Reading of 12 Passion Gospels at 6:00 p.m.
• HOLY FRIDAY – May 3rd 2024
  • Morning Service / Royal Hours at 10:00 a.m.
  • Vespers with laying of Holy Shroud and Funeral Service at 6:00 p.m.
• HOLY SATURDAY – May 4th 2024
  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
  • Resurrection Matins at 11:30 p.m.
• PASCHA – May 5th 2024
  • Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
• EASTER MONDAY/Saint George – May 6th 2024
  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
  • Cutting of Slava Kolach after Holy Liturgy
• EASTER TUESDAY – May 7th  2024
  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.

Join us for the celebration of Orthodox Christmas beginning with Divine Liturgy taking place at 9:00 a.m. and Great Vespers taking place at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, January 6 at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church at 9191 Mississippi Street, Merrillville, Indiana.

The Blessing and burning of the Badnjak will take place immediately following the Great Vespers.

Divine Liturgy will take place Christmas morning beginning at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, January 7.

The complete listing of services taking place during this special time of the year is listed below.

The Spiritual Meaning of the Badnjak

Burning of the Badnjak outside the Pavilion at St. Sava Church, Merrillville, Indiana.

Have you ever brought a Badnjak into your home? Do you know that the Badnjak is the finest and foremost custom of all the many traditions by which our people enhance the Christmas celebration?

Click here to read an article explaining the Spiritual Meaning of the Badnjak.

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES  –   РАСПОРЕД  БОГОСЛУЖЕЊА

SATURDAY, January 6th

• CHRISTMAS EVE:
  • Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM.
  • Great Vespers at 6:00PM. Blessing and burning of Badnjak.
• БАДЊИ ДАН:
  • Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру.
  • Празнично вечерње у 6:00 увече. Освећење и паљење Бадњака.

SUNDAY, January 7th

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

MONDAY, January 8th

• ALL HOLY MOTHER OF GOD FEAST: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
• САБОР ПРЕСВЕТЕ БОГОРОДИЦЕ: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру

TUESDAY, January 9th

• ST. STEPHEN THE ARCHDEACON: Divine Liturgy 9:00AM
• СВЕТИ АРХИЂАКОН СТЕФАН: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру
• Cutting of Slava Kolach after Holy Liturgy

SUNDAY, January 14th

• ST. BASIL (SERBIAN NEW YEAR’S DAY): Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
• СВ. ВАСИЛИЈЕ  (СРПСКА НОВА ГОДИНА): Св. Литургија у 10:00 ујутру

FRIDAY, 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.

SATURDAY, January 20th

• ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST: Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
• СВЕТИ ЈОВАН КРСТИТЕЉ: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру
• Cutting of Slava Kolach after Holy Liturgy

SUNDAY, January 21st

• ST. SAVA DAY CELEBRATION: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM.  Blessing and cutting of Slava Kolach; Dinner with Children’s Play and Program.
• CABИНДАH: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру. Светосавска Прослава. Сечење Славског колача, ручак и програм.

SATURDAY, January 27th

• ST. SAVA DAY: Divine Liturgy at 9:00AM
• СВЕТИ САВА: Света Литургија у 9:00 ујутру
• SAINT SAVA BALL: 7:00 PM – GALA dress code/black tie – Saint Sava Pavilion

SUNDAY, January 28th

• SUNDAY 34th AFTER PENTECOST: Divine Liturgy at 10:00AM
• НЕДЕЉА 34. ПО ДУХОВИМА: Света Литургија у 10:00 ујутру