St. Sava's got talent! We all look forward to the St. Sava Day program each year. Please take a few minutes to watch highlights from this year's presentation of music and poetry. Thank you to all the parents and teachers who have encouraged the students to learn new songs arranged by Joanne Samardzija, who has spent many hours practicing with the children. Both Popadija Vesna Matic and Joanne worked on song selections and translations. Most of all, we're so proud of the students - they are the future leaders, teachers, and members of St. Sava Church. Looks like we're in good hands!

Please take the time to watch both videos. Send these videos to relatives who may have missed the program or live out of town.

We all look forward to the St. Sava Day program each year. Please take a few minutes to watch highlights from this year's presentation of music and poetry. Thank you to all the parents and teachers who have encouraged the students to learn new songs arranged by Joanne Samardzija, who has spent many hours practicing with the children. Both Popadija Vesna Matic and Joanne worked on song selections and translations. Most of all, we're so proud of the students - they are the future leaders, teachers, and members of St. Sava Church. Looks like we're in good hands!

At 99 years young, Blazo Dragic was honored by Dusan Matic reading this poem "Sveti Sava", written by Blazo in January of 1947 in a displaced persons camp in Eboli, Italy. Blazo wrote many beautiful poems during those years spent in Italy and Germany. Blazo's poems have been published and can be purchased through the church office (219) 736-9191 during office hours 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. "Zivot I Ja Unjemu - Life and Me in It" is priced at only $15 with entire purchase price donated to St. Sava Church.

Aleksandar, Isabela, and Zivana Labovic, children of Susan and Dragan Labovic, were honored to serve as Kumovi for this year's St. Sava Day celebration. With all the distractions of school sports and weekend activities, the Labovic family has consistently chosen to attend Divine Liturgy and Church School instead. Young Kum Aleksandar spoke of the significance of St. Sava always watching over his family. Just this past Friday, his father, Dragan, was involved in a serious auto accident and miraculously suffered only a black eye. Sixteen years ago, his uncle and cousin were also involved in a serous auto accident on St. Sava Day and survived! Baba always reminded them that St. Sava has protected the Labovic family and his memory should be celebrated as we did Sunday.

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 27

In spite of the extreme hot weather, many parishioners attended the annual Serbian Day Memorial Service for General Draza Mihajlovich and other deceased members who served their country. After Divine Liturgy, a procession led the faithful to the new Legacy Tree for a short service. Special guests included Fr. Dragomir and Kristina Tuba from Akron, Ohio with their family, as they make their way to Phoenix to serve that parish. Young Lazo Knezic was in charge of the lamb and pig crew - great job, gentlemen! Thanks also to the Ajder family and Snezana for serving a delicious luncheon.

Violet Milanovich was remembered with a 40 Day Parastos when members returned into the church before the luncheon.

THIS SUNDAY, JULY 15TH, at the Serbian Day Celebration, the SECOND DRAWING for the EARLY-BIRD RAFFLE will be held in the south wing after the luncheon. It's a chance to win an extra $1000 Prize, plus your ticket will be re-entered into the drawing for the $25,000 Grand Prize and all other Prizes in the SERB FEST RAFFLE! Get your tickets soon from any church member, or contact Vinko Mancich, Mike Jaksich, or David Gerbick. Ticket price is $100. Good Luck! Winner need not be present.

Musical highlights from this year's St. Sava Day program are presented in the videos below. Under the direction of Joanne Samardzija, the students worked hard to learn several new songs. Thank you to Fr. Marko, parents, and teachers for all their help, and to Deena Galich, whose handmade props have become a part of every St. Sava Day program. Along with the many poems recited in Serbian and English, Olga Micic gave a wonderful rendition of "Rastko". Teens Rebekah Gerbick, Sasa Labovic, and Chris and Alexis Orlich read "Life of St. Sava". Maya Radjenovich, Savka Popovic, and Rachel Gerbick sang "Vesela Je Srbadija" - what beautiful young voices! There were many proud parents, grandparents, Kumovi, and friends in the audience to cheer them on.

St. Sava's Sunday School students presented a fabulous program celebrating the Patron Saint of all Serbian children. The program included several musical numbers as well as individual poems recited in Serbian and English. Program video coming soon - check back in a couple days!

Fr. Marko blessed the Slava Kolach with the Sunday School children on Sunday, January 29 following Divine Liturgy. Each year we celebrate the Patron Saint of all Serbian children, St. Sava, and we are treated to a wonderful program of music and poetry.

Our talented Sunday School students once again worked hard to memorize their poems. In case you were unable to attend or couldn't see from the back of the room, you can watch it here. Send it to family and friends, or facebook it. Click on the movie itself to get the YouTube link, or send this entire blog (click the blog title, go to the top of the page, copy the URL, and send it in an email. Enjoy the show, and watch the other 2-part videos in the blog below to see the musical performances.

Thanks also to the older teens for reading stories about the Life of St. Sava and Life of St. Varnava. GREAT JOB!

Once again, the tradition of performing for parents, family, and friends is alive and well at St. Sava Church, as well as all other Serbian parishes. Joann Samardzija has spent the last 4 Sundays teaching, rehearsing, and accompanying the Sunday School students with their songs. Her original song about krofne is quite a catchy tune! Congratulations to soloists Savka Popovich, Rachel Gerbick, and Maya Radjenovich for their musical rendition of "Oj Moravo". Great job, girls! Even the little ones that can't even read yet were outstanding! Special Thanks go out to Deena Galich for making the "Autos" and "sugar - coated krofne" props.

Yes, St. Sava's got talent!

On Saturday, January 23, several children came to the south wing kitchen to get hands-on experience making the Kolach and Zito for their St. Sava Day Celebration. Under the supervision of Sonja Mancich and Ann Rudman, they created a beautifully decorated Kolach and Zito. Thanks to Beba Rudman, Zorka Glumac, and Danica Beslich for their help in the kitchen Sunday, and to Marie Baroevich for all the hard work and planning. Along with a bouquet of flowers, sincere Thanks were expressed to Teta Joanne Samardzija for sharing her personal talents and time teaching and rehearsing  songs for this year's St. Sava Day program.

After the program, the children were treated to cash prizes and 3-foot long licorice.

Once again, the children learned to recite lengthy poems for everyone's enjoyment, only two weeks after their Christmas program. The south wing was packed full of proud parents and grandparents, who also helped the children practice their poems. Great Job, Kids!

Yes, Simon, Serbian children can sing. In two languages, in fact! As is our tradition, Sunday School children recited poetry and sang several songs for their proud parents, babas, and dedas. St. Sava Day celebrates the patron saint of all Serbian children. The Palachinka Song and S-E-R-B-I-A-N Song are the creative works of Joanne Samardzija, who also taught the musical performances and accompanied on piano. Enjoy the video below and check back soon for more photos and videos from this wonderful program.

Saint Sava Day will be celebrated with Divine Liturgy starting at 10 am, followed by  Blessing of the Kolach, Luncheon, and program presented by our Sunday School children. Every year we're treated to a delightful afternoon of songs, poems, and musical performances.

St. Sava from Wikipedia  ( Read More)

Saint Archbishop Sava (Serbian:, Sveti Sava; (c. 1175, Ras - January 14, 1235, Trnovo, Bulgaria), baptised name Rastko Nemanji? (Serbian: ) was the youngest son of Serbian ruler Stefan Nemanja, Eastern Orthodox monk, first archbishop of Serbian Orthodox Church, diplomat, writer, law giver and founder of several important medieval monasteries. He heavily influenced Serbian medieval literature and art.

He is widely considered as one of the most important figures of Serbian history and he is canonized and venerated by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Also his life and personal devotion has been interpreted in many artistic works from the middle ages to modern times. The Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade is his major shrine and the largest Eastern Orthodox church.