[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23666]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. SAVA SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN MERRILLVILLE, 
                                INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 2004

  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 90th anniversary. The 
festivities will begin on Sunday, November 14, 2004 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 in its faith by 
the Very Reverend Jovan Todorovich. He has been the priest at the 
church for 35 of its 90 years, and the proud parishioners are thankful 
for the spiritual and emotional leadership he has provided during that 
time. Church President Michael Gallich 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. Father Todorovich 
believes the anniversary can be used to connect the new generation of 
the church with its past. 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.
  His Grace Bishop Longin, along with the Very Reverend Todorovich, 
will serve the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy the morning of November 14, 
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, which will feature St. Sava's 
folklore group and choir, as well as tamburitza orchestras and kolo 
bands.
  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 90th 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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