With Gratitude and Joy: Celebrating Our Slava and Honoring St. George

On Sunday, May 4, 2025, our parish family joyfully gathered to celebrate our Church Slava in honor of St. George the Great Martyr, a beloved and courageous saint of the Orthodox Church.

This year’s Slava was significant, as it marked two significant milestones in the life of our community:

• The 45th Anniversary of the Consecration of our Church, and
• The 25th Anniversary of the Consecration of our Halls of Saint George.

We were deeply blessed by the presence of His Eminence, Metropolitan Longin, who led the Divine Services and offered heartfelt words of spiritual encouragement. His message reminded us of the strength and resilience of our Orthodox faith and the sacred responsibility we share in preserving our spiritual heritage. Assisting at the altar were V. Rev. Fr. Aleksandar Novakovic (St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church, Merrillville), Rev. Vladimir Lange (Sts. Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church, South Bend), Protodeacon Milovan Gogic, Deacon Milan Popovich, and Deacon Simeon Jancic. We were also joined by faithful parishioners from nearby churches, whose presence added to the unity and joy of the day.

The celebration began with the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Blessing of the Slava Kolac, a moment filled with reverence and tradition. We were honored to have Ray and Marian Vukas, long-time and dedicated parish members, serve as this year’s Kumovi.

The celebration continued in our Halls of St. George, where we enjoyed a festive banquet. The afternoon was filled with laughter, love, and fellowship, highlighted by a beautiful children’s program, traditional Serbian music, singing, and kolo dancing—a joyful expression of our faith and heritage.

As we reflect on this special day, we give glory to God for the countless blessings He has bestowed upon our parish. We are truly grateful to all who contributed to making this celebration memorable—our clergy, guests, volunteers, performers, and parishioners who came together in love and service.

A special thank you to our Slava Celebration Committee and all volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Your dedication strengthens our parish, unites our community, and keeps our traditions alive. May God bless you and your families abundantly, and may St. George, our heavenly protector, intercede for you always.

Ziveli i na mnogaja ljeta!

We invite you to view the slideshow showcasing photos from this beautiful day of worship, fellowship, and celebration.