St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church

Re-live the fun at this year's Serb Fest, Northwest Indiana's best ethnic festival. If you missed this year's event, visit us next year, always the first weekend in August. This annual fund raiser will help build facilities for future festivals and events on the Church grounds in Merrillville. Serb Fest is staffed by dedicated volunteers of all ages. The first day is always kicked off with the Golf Classic, followed by a Serbian Buffet, and the evening is filled with music, dancing, and of course, more great Serbian food. This 3-day event includes a Big Cash Raffle with a $25,000 Grand Prize, many live bands, and a Cultural Exhibit. Serb Fest Menu includes BBQ Lamb, Cevaps, Raznici, Sarma, Chicken, Palachinke, Krofne, Nut Rolls, Strudels of many flavors, and the fabulous Serbian Bakery! See you next year! Watch all 3 Slideshows in the VIDEO section to your right.

Helpful Hint: You can double-click on the arrow, go directly to YouTube, RE-START, and click on HIGH QUALITY for a better picture.

Everyone had a great time. The food was outstanding, the palachinka lines were long, the pivo taps were working non-stop, and Thanks to all the hard-working Volunteers, Serb Fest 2008 was a successful new beginning for St. Sava Church. Non-stop music kept everyone dancing. Saturday night's highlight was hearing all the young voices singing "Djurdjevdan" with "Sumadija" Orchestra in the moonlight with the lighted domes of the church behind them. Positive remarks from the public were focused on being impressed with the number of workers of all ages, and the friendliness and hospitality they were shown. Check back daily for more info and photos from Serb Fest.

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St. Sava Church towers over the many tents, providing a picturesque backdrop for the festival. This was the first year for hosting our Serb Fest in Merrillville, and proved to be the right choice. As soon as the final attendance and food numbers come in, we'll let you know. Check back daily for more photos.

The volunteers are the foundation for the success of this monumental event, and we'd like to THANK each and every one of them. Many have worked for months preparing nut rolls and strudels, while others worked feverishly to remodel the garage and transform it into a functioning kitchen. Planning the layout, utilities, and set-up took weeks. Raffle Ticket sellers had an especially big challenge this year. Preparations in all areas were covered by our parishoners and our dear friends. Moving Serb Fest to Merrillville in such a visible location has drawn many new local faces this year. And of course, with all your help, we handled it. Thanks to everyone!

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Family and close friends from church fondly joined in the celebration of Ann Pamachena's 100th Birthday. Karageorge is proud of their relationship with one of the most incredible women you'll ever meet. She can tell you all about the early days in Gary and the pioneers from our church. Ann has enjoyed many long, healthy years and we are all blessed to be among her circle of friends. Zivela, Ann!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The heat was extreme, but so was the fun. Turkey Creek Golf Course was filled with carts full of Serbs and their dear friends from the business community and other nearby churches. Father Marko's opening prayer is a traditional beginning for the event.The luncheon was held at the church grounds in Merrillville for the first time. T-Roma played tamburitza music for everyone's enjoyment. And of course, the lamb, pig, sarma, and cevaps were delicious too. Looks like everyone had a great time. Special thanks to all sponsors for supporting this annual fund raiser. The festival and golf outing proceeds will help fund the building of new facilities for future festivals on the Merrillville property.

Serbs who served in both World Wars in Yugoslavia and those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces were honored Sunday on Serbian Day. St. Sava's new Serbian Historical Society displayed tributes to every generation of men and women who sacrificed so much for their country. Draza Mihajlovich and his brave Chetniks were honored with a video presentation and photographic display provided by many of our members and our friends from St. Elijah. Rare books have been collected and copies were provided for viewing. The Nogulich Family was kind enough to provide a DVD documentary about the first Serbian Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient, Corporal Jake Allex Mandusich. Along with many photos and artifacts, Serbian Pride was evident on Serbian Day.

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This year's Serbian Day Celebration marked many new beginnings for our Church. After closing our Church Hall last August, we were forced to make adjustments, and we certainly did. A long-time tradition of the Draza Mihajlovich Memorial Service was celebrated for the first time in Merrillville, and a new Legacy Tree was chosen and dedicated. A piece of the original tree from 49th Avenue was cut out and brought to the new Church. The Cross carved in the trunk was carefully preserved. The few remaining Chetniks who were able to attend stood proudly and emotionally as their Leader was remembered. Pictured are Milos Katic, Petar Baljak, Chedo Radovich, Jovan Mileusnic, and Milorad Mileusnic. Not pictured is Nikola Loncar. Unable to attend was Blazo Dragich. A breezy, sunny day was the backdrop for a sky of many flags. Some parishoners stayed for a luncheon and took in the Memorial displays honoring the many Serbs who served their countries proudly. Even the kids had a great time playing games and relays Thanks to Kim Mileusnic. And of course, a perfect ending to a Serbian celebration is for all the women to come out of the kitchen and join everyone in dancing a Kolo.

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Host choir Holy Trinity from St. Louis hosted this year's festival. Choirs attending and performing in the concert were: Guest Choir Branko Radichevich from Chicago, Kornelije Stankovich from East Chicago, SSS Draza Mihajlovich from Cudahy, SSS Karageorge from Merrillville, Stevan Mokranjac from Hamilton, and St. Archangel Michael from Toronto. Thanks to Desa Halstead for these photos.

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The Serbian Folklore Federation of North America celebrated it's 8th Annual Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida June 20th through 22nd. Our own Srbadija senior group attended the event and performed along with many groups from around the country. Wonderful memories were made with friends old and new. Looks like half the fun was just getting there. The performing groups traveled from Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Joliet, Cleveland, Monroeville, Merrillville, McKeesport, Schererville, Aliquippa, and the host town of St. Petersburg. Send us your concert photos to stsavachurch@gmail.com so that we can share them. Thanks to Erin Devaney for sharing these photos.

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Congratulations to our own Pee - Wee Championship Winners! Coaches D. Tomich and Zeljko Novakovich should be very proud of their tough competitors. Thanks to Betsy Kirby for providing the video and pictures of the recent SNF competition. Enjoy the short video, and be sure to click on the photos to enlarge.

Thanks to John Buffalini, Associate Director of Basketball for the SNF, for providing these images from some of the games and awards presentations. Send us your photos to stsavachurch@gmail.com so that we can share them. More pics in previous blogs and in your upcoming SRBOBRAN Issue.

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The excitement built up to the Championship games played Sunday afternoon at Purdue Calumet. Sunday evening concluded 4 exciting days of games, music, dancing, and socializing. St. Elijah Cathedral's hard working volunteers handled the huge crowds efficiently, serving up countless meals and drinks throughout the long weekend. Everyone had a great time, and all the players made new friends. Early Sunday evening, trophies were awarded in various categories, including Sportsmanship, All-Stars, and the winning and runner-up teams. This year's Senior Men's Winning Team is Cevap Amigos. Congratulations to all players, St. Elijah, Nick Beader, Mico Stojic, and the SNF for continuing the tradition of the historic Serb National Federation Basketball Tournament. See you next year in Lansing, Illinois.

A complete list of winners will be posted as soon as we receive the info. from the SNF. Send us your photos and videos of games or events to: stsavachurch@gmail.com    We'd be happy to share them. (Click photos to enlarge)

Where were you Friday night? St. Elijah Church sure put on a great event for all who attended. So many celebrated being Serbs by showing off those kolo dance moves this weekend. Srbija Band from Arizona, and local bands Ti Roma and Dunav entertained the huge crowds. The kitchen offered tasty plates of sarma, lamb, and cevaps and a bake sale with endless choices. You still have two days left to enjoy the games and evening festivities, so don't miss out!

Send us your game and dance photos to: stsavachurch@gmail.com

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Many celebrated this happy occasion after Divine Liturgy Sunday. Moms were treated to a gift of geraniums from the Sunday School children. Do you remember the fabulous Mother's Day Banquets years ago when the MEN prepared and served the meal on this day? We found and displayed several old photos from those occasions in the late 1980's. The mood was cheerful in spite of the cold, dark, rainy weather. The Serbian Historical Society hosted this event and appreciates the many generous donations. Once again, Happy Mother's Day!

Parastos was also served by both Father John and Father Marko for the memory of our past President Mike Galich, members Mile Kosanovich, Donald Sekulich, and Zivka Stankovich. May their memories be eternal.

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Mother Nature provided a perfect natural frame for us to enjoy the beauty of St. Sava Church on this spring afternoon. Perhaps it was her Mother's Day gift to us?

Church was filled to capacity on the day we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. Read Father Marko's interview in The Times newspaper Saturday's edition. The Sunday School children were treated to an Easter Egg Hunt on the north lawn, and then they surprised us all by singing "Hristos Voskrese" right before the Church Board passed out colored eggs. As you will see in the photos, this was a very special day enjoyed by everyone.

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Stojanka Radulovic was kind enough to send us her photos and a wonderful Thank You for all the hospitality extended to Sumadija Folklore Group from Whitby, Ontario, Canada. We're glad they made it home safely and enjoyed their visit and new friendships. What a wonderful way for all the dancers to get to know each other.

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Thanks to Betsy Kirby for these photos. We encourage you all to send us your photos at stsavachurch@gmail.com. (Click photo to enlarge)

Three days of Serb Fest ended months of preparation by the members (all volunteers).

of our parish. 1110 strudels, 3964 sarmas, 3862 palachinke, 280 nut rolls, 1350 krofne 160 lambs, 1650 pounds of cevaps, countless raznici and muchkalize, chicken dinners, and thousands of freshly-baked goods were served up cheerfully over that long weekend. 64 kegs of beer also disappeared. The hard work paid off, and now it's time to save for future building on our church grounds.

A special thank you goes out to the Kolo Sisters who worked for 2 months this past hot summer to prepare the sarmas, nut rolls, and strudels, on their feet for hours.

Their names are:

Smilja Andrich, Helen and Kathy Baroevich, Danica Beslic, Kay Bozich, Mary Christoff, Stana Djinovich, Olga Dotlich, Manda Andrejich Ellison, Lillian Galich, Tamara Galich, Rada Gaslich, Zorka Glumac, Millie Griggs, Xenia Jancarich, Millie Kokotovich, Marilyn Leach, Mary Magurean, Dorothy Majstorovich, Sophie Makivich, Popadija Vesna Matic, Radmila Milivojevic, Millie Moncilovich, Loretta Nickovich, Mara Pokrajac, Ann and Beba Rudman, Nada Samardzija, Violet Sekulich, Olga and Sandy Shinovich, Barbara Skala, Florence Stefanovich, Lynn Svilar, Carolyn Tomich, Dragica Trikich, Slobodanka Vasiljevich, and Polly Vrtikapa. Mike Suvajac was also a great help. Your commitment is greatly appreciated.

More photos from Serb Fest 2007 were sent by Mileva Savich. Roll your mouse over each to zoom in.