The first American-born Serbian Saint was born in Gary, Indiana, where St. Varnava attended St. Sava Church. The Serbian Historical Society chose him for their Patron Saint, at the suggestion of Roz Opacich. After the blessing and cutting of the Slava Kolach, parishioners gathered in the south wing for a fall themed luncheon buffet. Also celebrating Veteran's Day, Paul Jancarich set up a display paying tribute to St. Sava's veterans from previous wars. Thanks to all who attended and for your continued support.

Please join us after Divine Liturgy for the blessing and cutting of the Slavski Kolach in celebration of St. Varnava.

On Sunday, November 20, St. Sava's Serbian Historical Society celebrated their patron Saint, St. Varnava The Holy Confessor with a festive luncheon in the south wing. Fr. Marko, with board members in attendance, blessed the Kolach at the end of Divine Liturgy. 40 day Parastos was also held for +Cvijeta Rajkovich. Paul Jancarich sang the Troparian and read the story of St. Varnava's life and his childhood in Gary. On display were articles and photographs showing the remarkable yet tragic life of St. Varnava, the first American - born Serbian Saint.

Thank You to all who attended the luncheon or sent donations. Thanks also for all the families who brought salads and baked goods, and for their continued support. Special Thanks to Beba Rudman, Donna Nikolich, and Mimi Orlich for their hard work.

Several local priests, representing area Orthodox Churches, celebrated  Vespers to commemorate St. Varnava. In attendance were V. Rev. Peter Bodnar, Rev. Aleksandar Savic, Rev. Sasa Nedic, Rev. Sergii Alekseev  and our own Very Rev. Marko Matic.

After the service, everyone gathered in the conference room for light refreshments, hosted by our Serbian Historical Society, which celebrates St. Varnava as their Patron Saint.

St. Sava’s Serbian Historical Society
Invites you to their Slava Celebration
HolyConfessor St. Varnava
First American-Born Serbian Saint, from Gary St. Sava
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Luncheon Following Divine Liturgy
in the South Wing

Thank you to all who helped celebrate St. Varnava, the Slava chosen by St. Sava's Serbian Historical Society. St. Varnava is the first American-born Serbian Saint, who grew up in Gary, moved to Serbia, and suffered under and was imprisoned by Communist rulers. Special Thanks to those who generously support the efforts of the Historical Society. Paul Jancarich sang the Tropariaon written for St. Varnava (Barnabas), Bishop of Hvosno.

St. Varnava (Barnabas) is the first American-born Serbian Saint, who grew up in Gary, Indiana, and was a member of St. Sava Church. Protection of The Virgin Mary Orthodox Church Choir will sing the responses and the Tropar for this Service. at St. Sava Church. All choir members from any nearby church are invited to attend the practice on Thursday, November 4th at 7 pm under the direction of Matushka Nadine Brown. Church address is 8600 Grand Blvd (Rt. 51 south of US 30) Merrillville.

Light refreshments will be served after Vespers.

THE SERBIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF ST. SAVA CHURCH
Warmly invites you and your family to our Krsna Slava Celebrating the first American-born Serbian Saint, also from St. Sava Church in Gary.*
St. Varnava The New Confessor

Sunday,October 31st South Wing Social Center
Bountiful Slava Luncheon Buffet and Cutting of Kolach will follow Divine Liturgy.
*When Ann Pamachena and Vojislav Nastich (St. Varnava) were growing up in Gary, she suspected he was something special because, even though the boy was impossibly smart, all the children loved him anyway.

Father Marko ended Divine Liturgy Sunday with blessing of the Kolach and Koljivo at the base of the Icon of Holy Confessor Varnava Bishop of Hvosno. Serbian Historical Society's talented member Paul Jancarich sang the Troparian for Bishop Varnava in his own musical arrangement. Many church members helped with preparations and baking. and their efforts are greatly appreciated. Thanks to all who stayed for the wonderful Luncheon and offer their support for St. Sava's newest organization. A Supporting Membership Drive will be presented in 2009, so be sure to become a Charter Member!

You are all invited to celebrate the Slava of St. Sava's Serbian Historical Society, St. Varnava, this Sunday November 9th. The Luncheon will be held in the South Wing Social Center following Divine Liturgy. Holy Confessor St. Varnava was the first American-born Serbian Saint, from Gary, a member of St. Sava Church. Please join in the celebration, everyone is welcome. Read more about St. Varnava below, from an article written by Michelle L. Quinn, Post Tribune, November 20th, 2006.

St. Confessor Varnava


*Born Vojislav Nastich on Jan. 31, 1914, St. Confessor Varnava spent
his early years in Gary as a student at Froebel Elementary before his
father moved the family back to Yugoslavia in 1923, settling in
Sarajevo.

* After finishing high school and the Theological Faculty in
Belgrade, he took his vows at Mileshevo Monastery in 1940. Shortly
afterward, World War II came to Yugoslavia, and Varnava was highly
critical of the Yugoslav National Liberation Army, which wanted to
establish power in the country and abolish the church.

* Once he was ordained a priest in 1944 and Bishop of Hvosno in 1947,
the Communists, who'd now taken control, said Varnava could head the
church, but he would have to support the party. Varnava refused and
was subsequently tried as a traitor. He was imprisoned for many years
and eventually died under mysterious circumstances on Nov. 12, 1964,
though some sources say he was poisoned.

* St. Confessor Varnava was the first child baptized in St. Sava
Serbian Orthodox Church on 13th Avenue and Connecticut Street in
1914, and served as its first altar boy.

Holy Confessor Varnava, the first American - Born Serbian Saint was born in Gary, Indiana and is pictured on this colorful 8 X 10 wood Icon, offered at a special price of only $15 plus $5 shipping and handling. Order in Goods & Services, using your credit card. Free gift wrap.

Sunday, November 11th was truly a special day for all who attended Church. After Divine Liturgy, Father Marko celebrated the Slava honoring St. Varnava, who was chosen to be the Patron Saint of the Cultural and Historical Organization of our Church. Bishop Varnava was born in Gary, attended Froebel School and was a member of our Church. He was the first American-born Serbian Saint and was canonized in 2005. Parastos was hosted by the families of Dusan Pokrajac and Viseslav Djordjevich. May their memories be eternal.

The Sunday School children surprised all the grandparents with two songs: "The Hymn to St. Sava" (Uskliknimo) and "Tamo Daleko". What a treat! After the short program, we all enjoyed a hearty and plentiful luncheon buffet hosted by church members.