[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATIONS TO ST. SAVA SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN MERRILLVILLE, IN

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor and enthusiasm 
that I congratulate the members of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in 
Merrillville, Indiana as they celebrate their 88th anniversary, as well 
as the 11th anniversary of their present sanctuary's consecration. The 
festivities will begin on Sunday, November 17, 2002 with a special 
service, followed by a banquet to celebrate this momentous occasion.
  Beckoning visitors who are traveling on Interstate 65, the golden 
domes of St. Sava offer an amazing spectacle. However, it is the 
interior of the church that the parishioners hold sacred. Built from 
Indiana limestone in a five-year construction project, the present 
sanctuary located at 9191 Mississippi Street in Merrillville replaced 
the original St. Sava Church, built in 1914 in Gary, Indiana, after 
that church was destroyed by fire. The dedicated members of the church 
came together to worship at the St. Sava ``small hall'' in Hobart 
Indiana while plans were made for their new sanctuary. Undeterred by 
the loss of their church building, the congregation demonstrated their 
commitment to each other and to their faith by carrying on with their 
services at the ``small hall'' for 13 years.
  Mr. Speaker, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church is led by the Very 
Reverend Jovan Todorovich. The Very Reverend Todorovich has been the 
priest at the church for 33 years, and the parishioners are thankful 
for the spiritual and emotional leadership he has provided during that 
time. Church President Michael Galich has attended St. Sava since 1946 
and is proud that the church has been able to maintain the Serbian 
traditions and customs that make their church unique. Because the 
congregation has been blessed with tremendous leadership and good 
fortune throughout its history, it is appropriate that the celebration 
of the church's anniversary will be held near the Thanksgiving holiday.
  The Very Reverend Todorovich, along with his Grace Bishop Longin, and 
Father Irinej Dobrijevich will serve the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy the 
morning of November 17, which will be followed by a memorial service to 
be conducted by representatives of a local American Legion at the 
adjacent Memorial Park to commemorate the fallen soldiers of all wars. 
The celebration banquet will conclude the festivities, led by keynote 
speaker Scott Taylor, a former soldier, and author of a book detailing 
the military action in Yugoslavia and Macedonia following the NATO 
occupation of Kosovo.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in congratulating the congregation of St. Sava 
Serbian Orthodox Church as they celebrate the 88th anniversary of their 
parish. Blessed with outstanding leadership and unwavering faith, the 
congregation of St. Sava has enriched Northwest Indiana by bringing the 
proud and historic Serbian traditions to our community. May God 
continue to bless the parishioners and the church leaders for many 
years to come.

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