The Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Elijah in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania joyfully celebrated St. Sava Day, honoring the first Archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the spiritual father of the Serbian people. The celebration brought together faith, culture, history, and generations of parishioners in a full and vibrant expression of Orthodox life.

The day began with the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m., during which we commemorated St. Sava, St. Macarius, and St. Mark of Ephesus. The church was filled with faithful, with many parishioners standing even in the first rows, a powerful testimony to the living faith of our community. A particularly joyful sight was the large number of children and altar servers who participated, serving and praying with reverence and enthusiasm. The choir, as always, uplifted the service with beautiful and prayerful singing.

During the Divine Liturgy, before “Budi imja Gospodnje”, the St. Sava kolach was solemnly cut. The kolach was lovingly prepared by Georgette Bernilovich Osman, for which we are deeply grateful.

Following the service, a festive luncheon was prepared and served by the Mother’s Club of St. Elijah Church. The meal was truly wonderful, prepared with love, care, and generosity, and provided a warm setting for fellowship and celebration.

After the luncheon, the children’s St. Sava Day program began. The Master of Ceremonies, Jelena Lukić, did an outstanding job guiding the program with grace, clarity, and warmth. The program opened with the singing of the American National Anthem, followed by the Serbian National Anthem, and then the Hymn to St. Sava, beautifully expressing both our civic gratitude and our spiritual heritage.

Parish priest Father George Popovich then addressed the congregation, speaking about the profound importance of St. Sava for the Serbian people. He emphasized that St. Sava laid the foundations of Serbian statehood and society by establishing the roots of all three branches of governance:
 • Legislative, through the writing of the Nomokanon (known among Slavic nations as the Krmčija),
 • Executive, through the organization of church and state life,
 • Judicial, by forming a legal system that combined Roman law and Byzantine (East Roman Empire) law and Serbian custom law.

Father George reminded the faithful that St. Sava chose the path of Christ at the age of fourteen, leaving behind his princely title and aristocratic life to become a monk on Mount Athos. From that radical choice came the foundation of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the spiritual identity of the Serbian nation. He also highlighted a striking historical comparison: at the same time that England produced the Magna Carta—a single document written in Latin—Serbia, through St. Sava, had a 400-page Nomokanon, written in the Serbian language, personally authored and sealed by St. Sava himself. This fact stands as a testament to the cultural, legal, and spiritual maturity of the Serbian people at that time.

The children’s program continued with recitations, prayers, musical performances, and a talent show, presented by students of the church school. Performers included:

 • Angelina Kodić – Dobra zemlja
 • Miloš Gunjak - Svetosavsko blago
 • Lukan Gunjak - Decja molitva
 • Isidora Lukić - Sveti oce Savo
 • Troy Rosati - Father we thank Thee
 • Eva Rosati - Hearth full of love
 • Branko Paich - Svet
 • Maja Paich - Andjeo
 • Eva Paich - Volim
 • Jovan Kodić – Frula solo
 • McKenna Sheets – Talk with God
 • Hazel Sheets – Bedtime Prayer
 • Luka Cvetković Lazić – Reči Svetog Save
 • Kalina Cvetković Lazić – Sveti Sava
 • Conor Iorio – Dear God
 • Vada Brnjailović – Time from God
 • Viviana Brnjailović – Morning Prayer
 • Stefan Stakić - Pohvala Sv. Savi
 • Teodor Marshall – Jesus Is My Friend
 • Izabela Muha – Evening Hymn
 • Ben Muha – Lord Have Mercy
 • Pierce Milanović – Sveti Sava
 • Eli Murphy – Come to Church
 • Jack Murphy –
 • Nataša Stakić - Ječam žnjela Kosovka djevojka
 • Maksim Leingland– U ime Oca i Sina
 • Teodor Jojić – Zavet
 • Tristen Trkulja – Four Things and piano solo

A special musical moment included Prijelaz kolo, performed by Angelina Kodić, Jovan Kodić “Neprestana molitva”, and “Razumna molitva” sung by Mina Cvetković Lazić.

The program concluded with traditional Serbian folklore dances, including Deda i unuk, Oro se vije kraj manastira, and Igre Šumadije, filling the hall with joy, rhythm, and living tradition.

Our kuma of the day, Angelina Kodić, addressed the congregation, sharing heartfelt words about the meaning and honor of being kuma for St. Sava Day.

At the conclusion of the program, Father George Popovich presented gifts to all the children, lovingly prepared by the Mother’s Club, as a sign of gratitude and encouragement.

We extend special thanks to our church school teachers: Georgiana Cross, Ioanna Sheets, Brian Hayden, Gordana Kodić, Katarina Ilić, and Robert Marshall, Vida Radovic (folklor instructor ) as well as to all parents, volunteers, choir members, and parishioners who contributed to this beautiful celebration.

Through this celebration of St. Sava, we once again affirmed that by honoring St. Sava, we honor Christ Himself, and we pass on the faith, culture, and spiritual legacy to new generations.

May St. Sava pray for us all.

In Christ,
Fr. George