The Circle of Serbian Sisters of St. Sava Church - Merrillville

cordially invite you and your family to the celebration of

our Krsna Slava Sveta Petka Paraskeva

SATURDAY, October 27, 2012

Divine Liturgy - 10:00 a.m.

Blessing of Slavski Kolach and Parastos

Luncheon in South Wing Following Service

Divine Liturgy starts at 10:00 a.m., followed by Blessing of the Grapes:

Blessing of Grapes & Fruit on Holy Transfiguration

Orthodox Christian churches, including the Serbian Orthodox church, celebrate the “miracle of Easter” or Pascha on the Easter Sunday date in the Julian calendar. Many people see Easter as the most important event in the church calendar. Orthodox Easter preparations begin with 40 days of strict fasting prior to Easter Day. Faithful Orthodox Christians attend liturgies during the Holy Week that leads up to Easter Sunday. Below are three videos that show excerpts of the Easter Divine Liturgy at St. Sava Church.

Dr. Jolynn Derado, Mike Suvajac, and Paul Jancarich read the Epistles during Christmas Divine Liturgy at St. Sava. Very Rev. Marko Matic gave his blessing to the readers, who read the English and Slavonic verses. Responses by S.S.S. Karageorge Choir under the direction of Ms. Kathy Baroevich. We truly appreciate the devotion of the readers who read every Sunday and are most grateful for our choir members. Mike Suvajac and Paul Jancarich also read for every funeral service and weekday services.

Our St. Sava Sunday school children presented a wonderful Christmas Nativity pageant after Great Vespers on Christmas Eve. A procession of angels lead the way to Bethlehem followed by shepherds. The bright star guided three Kings as they presented gifts to the Christ Child. Christmas hymns were sung by Karageorge choir. Thank you to Sunday school teachers, parents, and Joanne Samardzija for all your hard work.

Friday, January 6 - Christmas Eve, Badnje Vece

Divine liturgy at 9:00 a.m., Great Vespers at 6:00 p.m.

Children's Christmas Play and blessing & burning of badnjak will follow with traditional light refreshments in the south wing. Santa will be there!

Saturday, January 7 - Christmas, Nativity of Our Lord

Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

Confession at 9:00 a.m.

On Sunday, October 9, His Grace Bishop Longin presided Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Sava Church, along with guest clergy Diocesan Dean Nikolaj Kostur, Very Rev. Lazar Kostur, Very Rev. Bogdan Zjalic from Chisholm, Minnesota, and our Rev. Marko Matic. This was a remarkable day for new altar boy Ilija Roknich. It was his first church service in the altar, and he had the honor of serving with His Grace Bishop Longin.

Saint Paul to the Romans
12: 6-14

What can I do? How can I help the Church? How do I help myself?
What is expected of me? These questions are asked time and again
by many of us whether young or old. Today’s epistle lesson gives us
some insight as to the answer.

Each of us is given talents. These talents are not given for self
advancement, but for the advancement of the Body of Christ.
These talents are divided among the people within the church, not
dispensed to one person. This tells us that we have much to offer as
individuals, but we gain completeness as the Church. As the Church
we combine all of these talents to be used for the benefit of all and
the Glory of God. This is part of the message Saint Paul intends. Just
as he asks us to not be prideful of these gifts, he implores us to give
all we can of these gifts and do so gladly. He uses the “not just your
coat but your shirt as well” formula throughout. In true paradoxical
form, he tells the Romans to show mercy with cheerfulness,
contribute liberally, and so on. Rejoice in hope! He does not say
rejoice in success, but hope! Be patient in our trials, contribute to the
needs of saints? What need do saints have? The point is to not stop
giving of ourselves.
This is neither a new development nor one that Paul suddenly came
up with. “To those who much is given, much is expected.” Saint
Paul doesn’t stop there. He wants us to outdo others in showing
honor. Not as some sort of contest, for that would put us in jeopardy
of judging others and ourselves, but as a means of becoming greater
than the sum of our parts. It is expected for us to continue to give of
ourselves as much as possible. How many times have we heard of
athletes say that they gave 110%?
Finally, Saint Paul asks us to bless those who persecute us. Bless
them and do not curse them. This is the natural extension of the
greatest commandment, to love one another. This was evident when
Our Lord and Savior washed the feet of his disciples. This is indeed
what today’s lesson is all about. For in loving one another we give all
we have, returning the gifts we are given to the One who bestowed
them on us.

A Brief Life Of Saint NECTARIOS
Wonderworker Of AEGINA

St. Nectarios, earthly name was Anastasios, as he was called,
was from a very poor family in nineteenth century Selybria, in
Thrace. He attempted to board a ship to Constantinople to find work,
but he had no money for a ticket. The engines of the ship roared, yet
it would not move until young Anastasios was permitted aboard. En
route, the sea once raged, but Anastasios dipped his cross, which
contained a piece of the True Cross, into the water three times,
praying "Silence! Be still." The waters became still, but he lost his
cross. As the ship continued, a loud continuous knocking was heard
from beneath the ship. When they arrived at their destination, the
sailors found the cross stuck to the bottom of the ship, as if the holy
Cross of our Lord led the ship... When he was 29 years of age, he
became a monk on the island of Chios. The patriarch sent him to
study theology in Athens, and he was ordained Priest Nektarios
(when you become a monk your name is changed), and later the
Bishop of Pentapolis.
However, owing to jealousy and alleged improprieties, he
was removed from office, only to be rejected again in Athens and
island of Euboiea. He suffered as a pauper, but he persevered, and
his integrity and his wisdom shone through. The people of Euboiea
embraced him. He became the Dean of the School of Theology in
Athens in 1910 and helped begin a convent and became a spiritual
father with healing powers for many throughout Greece. Ten years
later, he was taken from Aegina to a hospital ward in Athens for the
poor and incurable. He gave up his spirit there, and they prepared
him for burial. His sweater was placed on the nearby bed of a
paralytic, who suddenly regained his strength and walked. The
room, which has since become a chapel, was filled with a beautiful
fragrance for many days after his repose in the Lord our God.
Healings are seen throughout the world to this day by the saint's holy
prayers. He is considered the patron saint of those with cancer, heart
trouble, arthritis, for those who are seeking a job, and epilepsy.
St. Nectarios lived from 1846 until 1920. On November 9th, (1920)
St. Nectarios reposed in the Lord. The Feast day for St. Nectarios is
November 9th.
HOLY SAINT NECTARIOS,
PRAY, UNTO GOD FOR US!

John Derado will be putting together weekly Sunday bulletins that are distributed in church every Sunday. We will post these weekly for those who cannot attend Divine Liturgy. Please join us whenever possible. Service starts at 10:00 a.m.

Celebrate the Nativity of Our Lord Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.

On a very special sunny November afternoon, our church parish family celebrated 96 years of history that started with early immigrants in Gary. This day gives us the opportunity to reflect on how far we've come and how many memories we can grasp from our  childhoods growing up at St. Sava Church. We were honored this year by St. Peter & Paul Church from South Bend, whose Choir, Parish Priest Fr. Sasa Nedic, and many parishioners came by bus to attend and participate in our celebration. Thank You to all who attended and made generous donations. Soon it will be time to plan and celebrate our 100th Anniversary - only 4 more years, imagine that!

Sunday, November 14th was a very special day for our church congregation. 96 years have passed as many generations have enjoyed memories of growing up in a wonderful church community. On a cold, windy day, many gathered for the solemn procession and Parastos in memory of all deceased church family members. Fr. Marko and Fr. Sasa Nedic from South Bend officiated. As is our tradition, fresh wreaths made of red, blue, and white flowers were placed at both Memorial Monuments by guest speaker Desko Nikitovic, Counsel General of the Republic of Serbia in Chicago.

96th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2010

On behalf of the St. Sava Executive Board and Fr. Marko Matic, you are cordially invited to attend our church congregation's 96th Anniversary Celebration.

10:00 a.m.

DIVINE LITURGY and PARASTOS

(Laying of the Memorial Wreath at the Monument)

12:30 p.m.

ANNIVERSARY BANQUET & PROGRAM

St. Elijah Social Center 8700 Taft St., Merrillville

Featuring performances by St. Sava Folklore Groups and the Combined Choirs from

St. Sava, St. Elijah, and St. Peter & Paul

Guest Speaker Address: Desko Nikitovic, Consul General of Serbia in Chicago

The doors of the Iconostasis and Church are left open during the entire Liturgy on Easter Sunday, proclaiming the "Light and Joy of the Resurrection". At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy the priest proclaims "Christ is Risen!" and the people respond "Indeed, He is Risen!". Also sung throughout the service is The Paschal Troparion, the Great Hymn of the Resurrection of Christ. This Great Hymn of Pascha will be sung repeatedly in the weeks to come.  (Info from www.babamim.com and www.lasvegasorthodox.com)

The Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed is the Orthodox article of faith. It is spoken by all believers at each Divine Liturgy and outlines the core beliefs of the faithful.

The Nicene Creed was formally drawn up at the First Ecumenical Council (325 AD) and at the Second Ecumenical Council (381 AD) in order to address theological issues/questions that arose during the early years of Christianity.

The first council was called together by Constantine to discuss the nature of the Son of God, a direct response to the Arian controversy of that time. Arius claimed that the Son of God was a creature created by God the Father to serve a specific function (the salvation of mankind), and that Jesus Christ was not eternal.

The Nicene Creed developed at the first council was not immediately accepted in all Christian churches. In addition, the false teachings of Arius gained Roman support and the defenders of the Nicene faith were persecuted. In order to address these problems another council was called together, this time in Constantinople, at which time the original creed was reaffirmed and the Divinity of the Holy Spirit was proclaimed. (from www.ststevanofdechani.org)

About the soloist:

Paul Jancarich is an active member of SSS Karageorge for many years, and has created the choir's History Room adjacent to the choir loft. He is a founding Board Member of St. Sava's Serbian Historical Society. Paul is always there to help at any church function, looks in on the elderly, and is an all-around "really nice guy".

Rev. Marko Matic served Divine Liturgy for this historic celebration, assisted by John Derado. S.S.S. Karageorge sang responses as they do every Sunday. Check back for more photos and videos from this wonderful event.

Sunday, June 14th marked the final day of this year's SOCA Festival. The combined choirs sang responses for Divine Liturgy at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Clearwater, Florida, where Father John is now parish priest. Several visiting clergy also celebrated Divine Liturgy and were overwhelmed by the beautiful voices. The banquet was well attended and everyone got a taste of Dobrinka and friends' wonderful cooking. Click the small thumbnail photo once to enlarge, then once you're on Photobucket, click it again for a full screen view. Photos can be purchased on Photobucket and picked up at Target. (Sunday photos by Peter Mulin, Thanks, Peter!)

Enjoy the small video segments from Easter Sunday Divine Liturgy, celebrated April 19.

Hristolu unghia!
Hristos a înviat!
Χριστός ἀνέστη!
Христос възкресе!
Христос васкрсе!
Христос воскресе!
Krishti u ngjall!
Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց՜
!ܫܪܝܪܐܝܬ ܩܡ
Christos tensiou!
ქრისტე აღსდგა!

Christ has risen! Happy Pascha, everybody!