Serbian Numismatics and Medals

It would be fun to collect as many Serbian coins and stamps as you can, and to share your newfound knowledge with others.  Numismatic (money) and Philatelic (stamps) Societies exist all over the world. You can find Serbian coins relatively inexpensively at local coin shops or online.  You can make displays for your school or for your local public library. This is a great way to learn about Serbian history, and at the same time, make many new friends!

 From the Serbian Kingdom during 1879.  Do you know who the Serbian ruler was then?  How could you find out?  Who came before him?  Who came after?  What else did you learn?

This is from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, previously called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.  Note the 3 different crests inside the double-headed eagle.  King Alexander was called the UNIFIER and the PEACEMAKER.  He was on a peace mission when he was shot in Marseilles, France on October 9, 1934.  When you hold a coin like this in your hands, you can learn a lot of history if you wanted to. 

Go ahead, do some research in the libraries and read about how from 16 airplanes with long, black banners flying behind, and how flowers were sprinkled over the path his funeral entourage took.  Every village sent representatives to his funeral wearing the native costumes from those areas.  For these beautiful accounts, you have to find newspaper articles on the day after…. Oct. 10, 1934. Almost every paper in the world had many photos and beautiful write-ups of this tragic event.  These would be reading FIRST HAND accounts of the events.

Here is a FIRST HAND account of what happened when the King landed in Marseilles.  There was a huge crowd to meet him.  The streets were lined with excited people all the way from the boat dock to the  middle of the city.  All the lamp posts were strung with flowers to welcome the King.

 


 The three images shown above are from some lovely  coasters I purchased several years ago, produced by the Serbian Numismatic Society.  This banknote again shows the Kingdom of Yugoslavia’s crest of the three constituent peoples who made up the Kingdom: Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


 Although not a coin, a valuable piece of history.  This is a medal marking the placing of the Cornerstone of St. Sava’s HRAM in Belgrade in 1939!  The construction was stopped during WWII, and only started again in the 1980’s.  Our group was there at the HRAM by seredipity when the roof which was raised for a month, was lowered, and finally locked into place, the Tuesday before the 1989 June 28 600th Anniversary of Kosovo.  We sang “Ziveli!” and “Uskliknimo” once we realized what the countdown had been all about.  Afterwards, the workmen gathered on top of the roof for an unforgettable picture!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here’s a WONDERFUL website to learn more about the Serbian rulers and the paper money that was printed during their rules.  I selected the period of King Peter to King Alexander’s time for a start, but you can also move BACK in time, or FORWARD, as you wish.  There are some beautiful banknotes here for you to see!

 http://www.numismondo.com/pm/yug/index11.htm

Here’s an example from there:


 

 

Probably the very BEST place to learn more about Serbian coins throughout history is on the Serbian Unity Congress BLAGO site.

 http://serbianunity.net/culture/history/

Here’s the SERBIAN HISTORY THROUGH COINAGE series from the Serbian Unity Congress’ website.  You can find information here on the earliest Republic of Venice coinage, and King Stefan Uros I Nemanjic all the way to King Marko, and Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic to the Ostojic Dynasty, to the Coinage of Dubrovnik, and then Serbia and Montenegro coinage from the 19th-20th centuries with Prince Mihailo Obrenovich III, King Milan Obrevovic IV, King Aleksandar I Obrenovich, King Petar I Karadjordjevic to King Nikola I Petrovic Njegos.  All of this wonderful information was generated by Radmilo Bozinovic. 

The work involved was tremendous and I’m very appreciative of all the time and talent it took to create.  Thank you to Radmilo and the S.U.C. for sharing this treasure so generously with others!

Want even more?  Then try this RUDNIK Numismatic site.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Serbian Medals

Kosovo Medal from 1912 Wars

 

 King Alexander I with Medals

 

 

King Nikola and Queen Milena of Montenegro

There is a beautiful painting of King Alexander of Yugoslavia at the Heinz History Center. He was a numismatist, meaning, he loved collecting coins and paper money items.

++++++++++++++++++

If you do a search for Serbia and Coins, you’ll find a lot of good information. Here’s an example from the Wikipedia site. I’ll bet you know who’s on the obverse, right?

The front of the coin in called the OBVERSE.  The back of a coin is called the REVERSE!

Did you kniow that among other things, Nikola Tesla was also a NUMISMATIST? 

+++++++++++++++++

Serbian costume

Look at this Serbian Woman’s costume on display at the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade.  Her “apron” piece is LOADED with Serbian coins, a real sign of great wealth, similar to Kuna Indians of Panama, wearing their gold and silver necklaces and earrings to show the family was in good stead!

Close-up look! Click on the photo, and it should enlarge!


This necklace was also a real eye-opener!


And how about this Beauty?  Click on photo to enlarge.

This necklace somehow reminds me of THE SILENT KOLO.  Did you ever hear of that?  When the Turks took away the Serbs’ music and song (along with so many other things, including their young boys!), there were always smart, defiant Serbs who kept alive the Serbians’ desire for freedom.  In the evening the Serbian youth would go high in the hills and dance the kolo without any musical accompaniment, just the stomping of their dancers’ feet and the bouncing of the ladies’ coins gave the kolo its rhythm.  This was one wonderful way to keep their hopes for FREEDOM alive!  I first saw this kolo performed by Nick Jovich’s dancers from New York at the Serbian Unity Congress meeting in New York City.  I never forgot it!  It haunts me all the time, flooding my mind with great memories of the night!


August 24, 2008

This Bulletin shows when we were at the Museum!

The Kosovo Men’s Choir from Cleveland, OH appeared in concert with the famous First Choral Society of Belgrade, which celebrated 150 years of existence.

 To view the wonderful Ethnographic Museum’s website in Serbia and see MORE folk costumes, click here on this site.

 You will see costumes from all Serbian regions, including that of Serbia proper, Vojvodina, Kosovo and Methohija, Montenegro, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Slovenia!

It would be best to visit the area in person, as they have 160,000 items of interest. 

++++++++++++++++++ 

The Medals you see on the left hand side were photographed at a display at the Akron Food Festival by then Protonica Tuba, currently now in Phoenix, AZ. 

 I’m sorry but I can’t remember who brought the display…..

++++++++++++++++++

These are ancient Serbian coins.  Click on the lower right hand side to enlarge.

The Red Cross Medal of Serbia

Queen Natalia of Serbia gave a medal like this to Clara Barton of America’s Red Cross.  She was the only one to wear it for nine years before another was issued.  Clara Barton treasured it.

++++++++++++++++++

Wilka Perra Tamburski, a rich Serbian woman, sold all of her belongings in order to support the wounded soldiers. She herself started to work for the Red Cross. Serbia, 1912. Balkan Wars

Serbian Old Maps and Old Books.....

With much gratitude to   Michael Papich of California

 Mike tells us that he has been collecting various maps all of his life as a hobby.  He has been good enough to share this one with us so we may learn more about the areas our ancestors came from.

I will try to add them as they become available to study and for our children to print out and paste in their book reports.

 (Don’t forget you can enlarge this photo and all other photos by clicking on the bottom right hand corner of the image.)

 This is a German map of Yugoslavia made 1940. 

The yellow parts of the map show where the Serbs lived.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here’s an image of a silk map from Ted Connolly, the son of U.S. airman +Tom Connolly, one of the 513 rescued American Airmen saved by General Draza Mihailovich and his Serbian Chetniks, our American O.S.S., and incredibly brave American rescue pilots in “Operation Halyard.”

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rare 18th Century Book Donated to Hilandar Research Library!

The 1796 Proclamation of Maria Theresa, Empress, Regarding Protected Religious Rights of the “Illyrian” Minority in Austro-Hungary!

This extremely rare book in 19+5 leaves is written in Russian Church Slavonic with South Slavic (Serbian) features and describes the continuation and clarification of the rights of the Orthodox minority population that arrived in Austro-Hungary in 1690 (The Great Migration of the Serbs).  This book was donated to the Hilandar Research Library by Prof. Dr. Jos Schaeken, Professor of Balto-Slavic Languages and Cultural History, Leiden University, The Netherlands.

For more information on the Hilandar Research Library, click above link.

The Hilandar Research Library has the largest collection of medieval Slavic manuscripts on microform in the world.

 Contacts: http://cmrs.osu.edu/rcmss/contacts.html

 

 

Just some advice from the book: THE OZ PRICIPLE.

All have to be committed to achieving objectives.

You either get stuck or you get results.  Just one principle.  That’s all.
 
“What ELSE can I do to make a difference?”
 “What can I contribute that will significantly affect the performance and the results of the institution I serve?”
 
ACCOUNTABILITY;  Continuous improvement, innovation, customer satisfaction, team performance, talent development. 
No “victimization” to justify inaction….  
 
Remember Alexander the Great.
 
When his army reached the coast of what is now called India, he ordered his me to burn their ships.
 
When the men hesitated at such a shocking order, Alexander’s response was, “We’re either going home in their ships or we’re not going home at all.”
 
In other words, burning the ships would cement his army’s commitment to conquest because retreat would cease to be an option. Now victory could become the sole objective.

Mike also sent us a few book websites to add to our collection for young researchers.

Here’s the

Jakša and Biljana Djelevich “Serbian Library” Serbian Collection from the Library at Ohio State University:

 http://library.osu.edu/sites/ees/serbiancollection.php

 +++++++++++++++++

Here’s the

Research Reference, and the Serbian periodicals from the Library of the University of Minnesota:

http://www.ihrc.umn.edu/research/periodicals/serbian.html

++++++++++++++++++

Joe Buley

 Joe Buley, Founder,
Dr. Nicholas Groves, Librarian
 

New Gracanica Library     in Illinois

One of the BEST library collections on Serbian History can be found at the Joe Buley Library in New Gracanica, Third Lake, IL.  Presently, the library features 8,000 catalogued books plus periodicals and other holdings.  This was done with the great work of librarian, Dr. Nicholas Groves, M.A.L.S. and Fr. Serafim Baltic, Assistant Librarian.

Click on the site below to learn more:

http://www.newgracanica.com/english/library.html

++++++++++++++++++

You will love some of the features of the Newberry Library in Illinois.

http://www.newberry.org/

If you search their catalog for Serbian items, you can read some of the old books right on line!  What a treat it was to read right from my computer here at home about WWI and the English Serbian Relief Committee, and see the illustrations and photos of the people from that war.

+++++++++++++++++++

“Here is a feature coverage  story regarding the late Mitchell Paige who died Nov. 15, 2003.  Mitch+, an American Serb,  was a Medal of Honor recipient from WWII with unbelievable exploits.”


“The article was published in our Community Paper on June 26, 2008, just in time for Vidovdan.   Mitch’s mother always had the ‘Maid of Kosovo’ on her wall as I do in my office.”    Mike Papich
                                                                                                                         
http://www.thecommunitypaper.com/archive/2008/06_26/index.php

 

Who was/is G.I.Joe? More about Mitchell Paige

http://olotliny.wordpress.com/2007/10/30/who-was-is-gi-joe/

Serbian Organizations........

About the Serb National Federation, the Serbian Singing Federation, The Serbian Unity Congress, our Serbian Orthodox Dioceses in America, the American Serbian Club….

 

If you’re not a member of the Serb National Federation (SNF) already, please consider the benefits of belonging to the oldest continuing Serbian organization in America.  Since 1901…..

Strong Leadership, most of it all Volunteer & Sincere!

Dan Pyevich passes baton to Pete Borkovich 

 Call the wonderful folks in Pittsburgh and introduce yourself.  The phone number is 412-642-SERB or 412-642-7372! 

 
Perhaps you’d like to subscribe to the American SRBOBRAN too!  That way, you’ll be on the “same page” as us, no matter if you live in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Belgrade or Australia and everywhere else in between!  Niko nema!

Serbian and English section Editors Sasha Petrov and Sandi Radoja receive congratulations for garnering BEST Fraternal newspaper in 2001 from then SNF President, Dushan Lubenko.

“The Serbs have developed a rich pattern of groups.  The Serb National Federation, an insurance organization, has sought to push ethnic pride by using the slogan, ‘Niko Nema Sto Srbin Imade’. Roughly translated it means, ‘Nobody has what a Serb has…..’ .  It has taken the lead beyond what its name implies in sponsoring sports events-national basketball, golf, and bowling tournaments-and in organizing the annual Serbian Day picnic in Kennywood Park.”

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 4, 1973, p. 22

++++++++ 

A Letter from Sarah, Jan. 15, 1990

Sarah Maravich Sijacki wrote from Arcadia, California:  “The American Srbobran comes as a visit from an old friend.  The SNF does us a great service each issue with news from all over the world.  The current events, for instance, deserve comment:

As a reader I am grateful to Mimi Oparnica for the lovely article on my husband Dusan.  The prayers and good wishes of so many has helped him to keep a positive attitude…. God bless you one and all for your concern.

Congratulations to Nick Radlick on his successful third term as Parma Heights Council President. 

The article by Milana Bizic (“Niko Nema Sto Srbin Imade”-Trip to Detroit for the 600th Anniversary of Kosovo American Celebration) was a joy to read….

I am proud of my home towners SSS Petar Krstich of Steubenville on the trip to New York Cathedral of St. Sava….. new friends at the Cathderal and Elizabeth, NY….. you did us proud.

The huge crowds at the SNF Mid-Winter Golf Tournament made me wish I could have been there…. congratulations to St. Sava Church of San Gabriel and SNF Lodge 85. Chairman Luka Pecel and his committee did a great job.

The Serb National Federation, year after years, encourages friendship, good sportsmanship and love for each other through their national sports events.  Thank God for this wonderful fraternal society! “

Thank you, Sarah! 


I’m one!  Are you?  Join the SNF!

Call 412-462-7372 and ask how!


          Honored Pioneers at 40th Anniversary, 1946               Nikola Mamula, my grandfather, far right front row.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Who can ever forget Bill Drazich’s Serbian Crossword Puzzles in the SRBOBRAN?


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

All members in celebration of the coming together of the lodges in this 1926 Photo in front of the old Serb National Federation building on 3414 Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section.  As usual, my Baba is right in front.  My Mom and Dad are there too, as is Aunt Marty Belosh.

Old Srbobran ALMANACS from the Past:

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here’s also where you can learn more about SERBIA itself, from the Library of Congress in Washington, DC!

 

Library of Congress PORTALS OF THE WORLD, SERBIA.

This site will give you General Resources, Business, Commerce & Economy sites, Culture, Education, Embassies, Geneaology, Geography & Environment, Government, Politics, Law, Health and History, Language and Literature, Libraries and their Archives, Media and Communications, National Security Organizations, Recreation and Travel, Religion and Philosophy, Science and Technology and Search Engines.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 The White Angel of Milesheva

Join the Serbian Unity Congress!

 

http://www.serbianunity.net/

Learn more about the St. Sava Literary Award, Studenica Foundation, Belgrade University 200 Years, Byzantine Coinage, Serbian Rulers, Medieval Serbian History, Military Uniforms, Kosovo through the ages,  Blago Fund,  and so much more!

The Serbian-American Voice urges everyone to partake in the 110 Congressional Serbian Caucus to help support Congresswoman Melissa Bean

Let your Congressman know that Kosovo matters.

Click above.

++++++++++++++++++

Learn more about Serbia’s Royal Family here!

Royal Family 

There are wonderful historical photos to see, besides learning of the latest good deeds of the Royal Couple and their sons.

++++++++++++++++++

Be an SNF HERO and HELP YOUR CHURCH at the same time!  Here’s how!

The SNF. 

Serb National Federation. 

What does it mean to you?   


    If you think about it long and hard, the answer should be “EVERYTHING!”  As long as there’s a Savez, there is SRPSTVO.  There is our strength as a people.  There is our ability to continue promoting our wonderful Serbian Orthodox heritage throughout the USA, throughout the world. 

    The SNF is the strong foundation laid out for us by our honorable mothers and fathers, grandparents and great-grandparents who taught us right from wrong, love of America, but also love of traditions, love of EVERYTHING Serbian.  This love was handed down to us from generation to generation.  The SNF is these good citizens of America, setting shining examples of strong work ethics and love of democracy and freedom to their communities. The SNF is EVERYTHING.  Remember them.

    The SNF is our Past and our Future.  It’s the harkening back to days of old at SNF basketball, bowling and golf tournaments and the fun had by visiting other host colonies and the friendships made, but its our future too.  We want to keep those great sports tournaments going so that our present day “Midgets” and “Pee-Wees” can experience the good times like we had.  And providing them with a venue whereby they might meet a future spouse isn’t so bad a goal, either!  Think about how many wonderful love stories came out of the tournaments or singing festivals, etc. 

    The SNF is your Voice for helping promote the understanding and continuity of our diverse culture to others.  The SNF is YOU, wherein we all strive to maintain and preserve our Serbian ethnic culture (music, dance, narrative, worship and folklife) however we can.

    The SNF is the SRBOBRAN, our Voice in America and Canada, which makes us brothers and sisters to each other, uniting us no matter where we live.  Here’s a great example.  When Mim Bizic entered the Saborna Crkva Church grounds in Belgrade with the Kosovo Men’s Choir from Ohio, International lawyer Lou Milicic of Chicago area was there, beaming a welcome and extended hand.  “Congratulations on being named ‘Person of the Year!’” How else would he have known?  At the wedding in Bojovich- Stipanovich wedding in Lackawanna only a few days later, many guests present knew each other from stories that appeared in the SRBOBRAN.  We are ONE in the Savez, with our SRBOBRAN.  Support it in EVERY way you can.

    Steve Balach says, “Every church in America and Canada that sponsored one of the National Tournaments has benefited financially from the SNF efforts.  Now let us help the SNF get back to annually increasing the membership.” 

    We must celebrate, share and sustain the vitality of our Serbdom.  You must help.

     We need YOU.  You can and MUST help by signing up new members for our Serbian “Matica” in America.  Why?

    Every month we lose about 15 of our beloved and much-mourned old +Pioneer Members.  They were strong in their beliefs, communities, and love of their heritage.  We must act now to replace those deceased members who worked so diligently to build the SNF for future generations, for us.  We have our work cut out for us NOW.

    How can you help preserve the Mother of all Serbian organizations? By increasing SNF Membership by leaps and bounds!  Here are a few ways how:

•    Charitable Intentions are lighting the way!  SNF Members or NON-members can purchase a Life Insurance policy or an Annuity and name their local Church as the Owner and Beneficiary.  The Premiums for these plans are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!!!! 

This way we can build up an Endowment Fund for our churches plus increase membership in the SNF at the same time, a WIN-WIN proposition for all Serbs! 

Think how many of our churches or church halls need assistance in paying bills now and in the future.  This is a BEAUTIFUL way for you to help TWO of your best beloved organizations at the same time, and receive tax credits to boot!  The Salvation Army does it.  The Lutherans built their empire like this.  Our Universities large and small do it.  You can do it for YOUR SNF and Church!  You would be a BENEFACTOR to all!  And believe it, your help is needed.  Don’t hesitate.  Do it now! 

Call the Home Office at 412-642-SERB (7372)

or toll free:  1-800-538-7372. 

Now, before you put this down and forget and it gets put on “the back burner” or is lost to the trash heap.  Please help your own.  Be a hero to all of us.  Call the Savez.  1-800-538-7372. 

Even the phone number tells you why:  7372=SERB!  Napred, SRBI!

    All members recruit at LEAST, at LEAST, one new member and thereby receive a Recruiting Bonus or Commission.  It’s up to you as to how to spend your small commission…. Those who don’t want the commission can plow it back into the SNF Fraternal Funds.  Others might delight in splurging with their grandchildren in an ice-cream outing, or whatever you wish.  The  increased Membership Rolls are the most important thing to remember as YOUR goal!  Put the Commission on the TASA plate at church…. Just sign them up.  We’ll all be grateful to YOU!

++++++++++++++++++

 The Serbian Bar Association of America

(Click on above for more info)

SBAA Mission and Purpose

The purposes and the mission of the Serbian Bar Association of America are as follows: To use the knowledge, experience and skills of our profession to provide resource assistance to, and promote the best interests of, the Serbian American community, including the Serbian Orthodox Church, our national organizations and our humanitarian organizations 

 To be a vehicle for making unified public pronouncements to represent and advocate the vital interests of the Serbian American community as a whole with respect to current social, political, economic, legal and other matters of vital concern.

To serve as a national network of communication among members of the Serbian American legal community for purposes of networking, exchange of ideas, client referrals and career placement opportunities.

To provide scholarship assistance to law students of Serbian descent.

To maintain the honor and dignity of the legal profession and a high standard of ethical conduct

 

The White Angel of Milesheva

Join the Serbian Unity Congress!

 

http://www.serbianunity.net/

Learn more about the St. Sava Literary Award, Studenica Foundation, Belgrade University 200 Years, Byzantine Coinage, Serbian Rulers, Medieval Serbian History, Military Uniforms, Kosovo through the ages,  Blago Fund,  and so much more!

The Serbian-American Voice urges everyone to partake in the 110 Congressional Serbian Caucus to help support Congresswoman Melissa Bean

Let your Congressman know that Kosovo matters.

Click above.

 

++++++++++++++++++

Learn more about Serbia’s Royal Family here!

Royal Family 

There are wonderful historical photos to see, besides learning of the latest good deeds of the Royal Couple and their sons.

++++++++++++++++++

Be an SNF HERO and HELP YOUR CHURCH at the same time!  Here’s how!

The SNF. 

 

Serb National Federation. 

What does it mean to you?   


    If you think about it long and hard, the answer should be “EVERYTHING!”  As long as there’s a Savez, there is SRPSTVO.  There is our strength as a people.  There is our ability to continue promoting our wonderful Serbian Orthodox heritage throughout the USA, throughout the world. 

    The SNF is the strong foundation laid out for us by our honorable mothers and fathers, grandparents and great-grandparents who taught us right from wrong, love of America, but also love of traditions, love of EVERYTHING Serbian.  This love was handed down to us from generation to generation.  The SNF is these good citizens of America, setting shining examples of strong work ethics and love of democracy and freedom to their communities. The SNF is EVERYTHING.  Remember them.

    The SNF is our Past and our Future.  It’s the harkening back to days of old at SNF basketball, bowling and golf tournaments and the fun had by visiting other host colonies and the friendships made, but its our future too.  We want to keep those great sports tournaments going so that our present day “Midgets” and “Pee-Wees” can experience the good times like we had.  And providing them with a venue whereby they might meet a future spouse isn’t so bad a goal, either!  Think about how many wonderful love stories came out of the tournaments or singing festivals, etc. 

    The SNF is your Voice for helping promote the understanding and continuity of our diverse culture to others.  The SNF is YOU, wherein we all strive to maintain and preserve our Serbian ethnic culture (music, dance, narrative, worship and folklife) however we can.

    The SNF is the SRBOBRAN, our Voice in America and Canada, which makes us brothers and sisters to each other, uniting us no matter where we live.  Here’s a great example.  When Mim Bizic entered the Saborna Crkva Church grounds in Belgrade with the Kosovo Men’s Choir from Ohio, International lawyer Lou Milicic of Chicago area was there, beaming a welcome and extended hand.  “Congratulations on being named ‘Person of the Year!’” How else would he have known?  At the wedding in Bojovich- Stipanovich wedding in Lackawanna only a few days later, many guests present knew each other from stories that appeared in the SRBOBRAN.  We are ONE in the Savez, with our SRBOBRAN.  Support it in EVERY way you can.

    Steve Balach says, “Every church in America and Canada that sponsored one of the National Tournaments has benefited financially from the SNF efforts.  Now let us help the SNF get back to annually increasing the membership.” 
   
    We must celebrate, share and sustain the vitality of our Serbdom.  You must help.

     We need YOU.  You can and MUST help by signing up new members for our Serbian “Matica” in America.  Why?

    Every month we lose about 15 of our beloved and much-mourned old +Pioneer Members.  They were strong in their beliefs, communities, and love of their heritage.  We must act now to replace those deceased members who worked so diligently to build the SNF for future generations, for us.  We have our work cut out for us NOW.

    How can you help preserve the Mother of all Serbian organizations? By increasing SNF Membership by leaps and bounds!  Here are a few ways how:

•    Charitable Intentions are lighting the way!  SNF Members or NON-members can purchase a Life Insurance policy or an Annuity and name their local Church as the Owner and Beneficiary.  The Premiums for these plans are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!!!! 

This way we can build up an Endowment Fund for our churches plus increase membership in the SNF at the same time, a WIN-WIN proposition for all Serbs! 

Think how many of our churches or church halls need assistance in paying bills now and in the future.  This is a BEAUTIFUL way for you to help TWO of your best beloved organizations at the same time, and receive tax credits to boot!  The Salvation Army does it.  The Lutherans built their empire like this.  Our Universities large and small do it.  You can do it for YOUR SNF and Church!  You would be a BENEFACTOR to all!  And believe it, your help is needed.  Don’t hesitate.  Do it now! 

Call the Home Office at 412-642-SERB (7372)

or toll free:  1-800-538-7372. 

Now, before you put this down and forget and it gets put on “the back burner” or is lost to the trash heap.  Please help your own.  Be a hero to all of us.  Call the Savez.  1-800-538-7372. 

Even the phone number tells you why:  7372=SERB!  Napred, SRBI!

 
    All members recruit at LEAST, at LEAST, one new member and thereby receive a Recruiting Bonus or Commission.  It’s up to you as to how to spend your small commission…. Those who don’t want the commission can plow it back into the SNF Fraternal Funds.  Others might delight in splurging with their grandchildren in an ice-cream outing, or whatever you wish.  The  increased Membership Rolls are the most important thing to remember as YOUR goal!  Put the Commission on the TASA plate at church…. Just sign them up.  We’ll all be grateful to YOU!

++++++++++++++++++

 The Serbian Bar Association of America

(Click on above for more info)

 

SBAA Mission and Purpose

The purposes and the mission of the Serbian Bar Association of America are as follows: To use the knowledge, experience and skills of our profession to provide resource assistance to, and promote the best interests of, the Serbian American community, including the Serbian Orthodox Church, our national organizations and our humanitarian organizations 

 To be a vehicle for making unified public pronouncements to represent and advocate the vital interests of the Serbian American community as a whole with respect to current social, political, economic, legal and other matters of vital concern.

To serve as a national network of communication among members of the Serbian American legal community for purposes of networking, exchange of ideas, client referrals and career placement opportunities.

To provide scholarship assistance to law students of Serbian descent.

To maintain the honor and dignity of the legal profession and a high standard of ethical conduct

Serbian Proverbs from Mladenovac, Serbia

Marija Gajevic, from Mladenovac, Serbia, holding book HISTORY OF THE SERBS

 

SRBIJA: Narodne Poslovice

(Try using Google Translate to see if you can decipher these famous sayings.)

Ако дуго живе скупа, животиње се заволе, а људи се замрзе.
Ако хоћеш да пљунеш, пљуни у шаку.
Ако је го, али је соко.
Ако је и колиба, наша је.
Ако једна жеља није задовољена то је довољан разлог.
Ако ми не можеш помоћи, немој ми одмагати.
Ако не може по коњу,
Ако не умије рећи, умије лећи.
Ако неће зло од тебе, бежи ти од зла.
Ако неко воли један цвет који постоји само на једној
Ако одговараш на поруку бит ћеш још више наоружан.
Ако сам переш веш ожени се или најури жену.
Ако си ти вук, нијесам ни ја ћук.
Ако ти могу купити капу, памет не могу.
Ако жену тучес, своју срећу тучеш.
Ако знаш шта ти је било, не знаш ста ће ти бити.
Бадава је добро семе кад је рђаво орање.
Батина има два краја.
Бери жеље покрај себе !
Бисер не ваља пред свиње просипати.
Бивши пријатељ је гори него непријатељ.
Бјежи куд ти је воља, од себе не утјече.
Благо нестаде, враг остаде.
Благо ономе ко зна да не зна, а хоће да зна.
Богат је ко није дужан, а млад ко је здрав.
Богат је онај који више произведе, него што поједе.
Богата је тешко даровати, сита госта још теже частити.
Богатство мења чуд, ретко набоље.
Бол се свлада стрпљивошћу.
Болан се пита, а здравом се даје.
Болест на колима долази, а на длаку излази.
Боље да те смрт пријека дигне, него суза сиромашка стигне.
Боље је добро слушати, него лоше заповедати.
Боље је доброга служити, него рђаву заповиједати.
Боље је и мало с благословом, неголи и доста с проклетством.
Боље је имати рђаву годину, него рђава сусједа.
Боље је не почети, него не дочети.
Боље је немати, него отимати.
Боље је незналица но тврдоглавица.
Боље је поклизнути ногом него језиком.
Боље је с мудрим плакати него с лудим певати.
Боље је свашта јести, него свашта говорити.
Боље је своје јаје него туђа кокош.
Боље је у колиби пјевати него у двору плакати.
Боље мршав мир него дебела парница.
Боље се оградити добрим комшијом него добром оградом.
Боље се с јунаком бити, него с рђом љубити.
Боље се замјерити Богу, но народу.
Боље слеп очима, него слеп памећу.
Бољи је добар глас него златан пас.
Бољи је и црн колач него празна торба.
Брак без деце је дан без сунца.
Брат брата над јаму води, али у јаму не меће.
Бравије је губице, а вучије гузице.
Брдо се с брдом не мозе састати, а живи се људи састану.
Буци већа ко мање разлога има.
Будалу не треба тражити, сама се јави.
Чело, очи и поглед врло често лажу, а говор најчешће.
Четири ствари могу да униште цовека: рђава земља, зла жена, лош пород и мртав капитал.
Чија сила, тога и правда.
Чисти рачуни – добри пријатељи.
Човек има само оно што даје.
Човек је тврђи од камена, а слабији од јајета.
Човек се позна у три случаја: у јелу, у богатству и у пијанству.
Човек се прима према оделу које носи а испраћа према духу.
Човек се учи док је жив, па опет луд умре.
Човек жели да је од свакога бољи, а од сина да је гори.
Чувај беле новце за црне дане.
Чувај се многих ако се не бојиш појединаца.
Чувај се оних који кроз смех уједају.
Чувај се онога ко ставља образ под опанак.
Чувај се тихе воде и пса који ћути.
Цвет је најлепши док је неубран.
Да га земља не вуче себи, полетео би.
Да је срце тврђе од камена опет би га растопило злато.
Да је стећи ко што рећи, сви би богати били.
Да је срце тврђе од камена
Да не боле, не б’ се ране звале.
Да није ветрова, пауци би небо премрежили.
Да падне на леђа, разбио би нос.
Даровни колач често у грлу запне.
Девојка која жури на састанак већ је закаснила.
Ђе брат брата не воли, ту нема среће.
Ђе је срећа, ту је и несрећа.
Ђе није жене, ту није ни куће.
Ђе се год састану људи, оцјењују друге, а себе не.
Ђе велика звона звоне, ту се мала не чују.
Добар човек увек остаје почетник.
Добавио се ки ћелав капе.
Добра крава се и у штали прода !
Добра није где се паметни не слушају.
Добра овца много не блеји, али много вуне даје.
Добра жена поштује мужа, па да је као певац.
Добре комшије подижу цену кући и добром имању.
Добро је ласно заборавити, а зло никада.
Добро је тешко видети, а лако се позна.
Добро ми је и бољем се надам.
Добро се не позна док се не изгуби.
Добру човеку све добро стоји.
Док је леђа, биће самара.
Док је шиба танка, треба је исправљати.
Док сви кажу ‘Евала!’ – оста глава ћелава.
Док живис, доликује ти да се надаш.
Драгом често опраштај, себи никад.
Дрво без гране и човек без мане – не могу бити.
Дрво се на дрво ослања, а човек на човека.
Држи се новог пута и старог пријатеља.
Дубока вода је бистра, а плитка мутна.
Где је чија кућа ту је и средина света.
Где је сова излегла сокола.
Где је стида, ту је и поштења.
Где кучка лоче ту и лаје.
Где миш не цијуче, ту ни пиле не пијуче.
Где се ништа не може помоћи лепо је осмехнути се.
Где се пије примакни се, где се бије одмакни се.
Где жена бучи ту муж мучи.
Где злато господује, разлог се не чује.
Где злато говори, уста ћуте.
Гину ти што се смеју уочи битке.
Гладан пас и на газду лаје.
Гладног не теши, већ нахрани.
Глава је старија од књиге.
Господском смијеху и ведру небу не ваља вјеровати, јер се зачас промијени.
Гвозђе реже и дрво и камен, али и њега рђа једе.
Хоћеш ли да те сви мрзе, реци свакоме ко је ко.
И Богу се досаде пречесте молитве.
И крме рокне кад му се човјек јави.
И људе послушај, и своје памети имај.
И лонцем о камен или каменом о лонац, тешко лонцу свакојако.
И најмудрији да прода све што има, не може да купи све што нема.
И сунце пролази кроз каљава места али се не окаља.
И вук вије јер га рђа бије!
И зид има уши, и плот има очи.
Иде време, носи бреме.
Или не покушавај, или доврши.
Инат је несрећан занат.
Истина и жена најлепше су – голе.
Изреке су украс говора.
Изван очију, изван срца.
Јак корен дуге младаре пушта.
Једног гледа, двојица се надају.
Једном се лебац ломи.
Јефтина роба касу празни.
Језик кости нема, али кости ломи.
Кад би се све памети изнеле на вашар, свак би се своје машио.
Кад Бог даје не питај чији је син.
Кад човек тоне и за врело гвожђе се хвата.
Кад је воље и зло иде на боље.
Кад легнеш значи – предао си се.
Кад највише грми, најмање кише пада.
Кад се прасе наједе онда корито превали.
Кад султан назебе, раја кија.
Кад видим онда ћу и веровати.
Како дошло онако и прошло.
Ки да се свака ишчешљана уда !?
Ко ће наплести узица за туђих губица?
Ко касно бразду заоре у јесен чичак обере.
Ко лаже за тебе, лагаће и против тебе.
Ко људе не слуша, ни човек није.
Ко лопову гледа кроз прсте и сам је лопов.
Ко много збори – или много зна или много лаже.
Ко неће брата за брата, он ће туђина за господара.
Ко нема сокола и кукавици се весели.
Ко носи, не проси.
Ко прати туђ посао, свој заборавља.
Ко са дјецом љеже, запишан се диже.
Ко се Бога не боји и људи не стиди бежи од њега.
Ко се пред једним клања, показује другом леђа.
Ко се сели, тај се не весели.
Ко спретније тражи, лакше добије.
Ко у крчму иде, туђу децу храни.
Ко у небо пљује на образ му пада.
Ко зависи од другог, треба и његовом псу да се умиљава.
Ко жели да пева, увек ће наћи песму.
Која да двадесет литара варенике,
Која се не рекне, она се не чује.
Који коња сламом храни, сам кола вуче.
Коме је Бог отац, лако му је бити светац.
Кривац се и сенке боји.
Купуј прво суседа, па после кућу.
Лаје ко пас на звезде.
Лако ти је плитку воду замутити и будалу наљутити
Лакше је скувати жељезо него савладати женину тврдоглавост.
Лако је здравоме болеснога саветовати.
Лепу жену и виноград поред пута не треба имати.
Љубав не траје дуго ако уклониш свађе.
Људи се највише муче због хлеба и љубави.
Људи се по одјелу сретају, а по памети прате.
Људи су густо посијани, али ријетко ничу.
Луди бој бију, а мудри вино пију.
Међу милионима звезда, то је довољно да буде
Многи људи су као сатови: показују једно време, а откуцавају друго.
Много асова треба док се истина сахрани.
Много је мачки цело печење.
Много знати, значи пре времена остарити.
На једну главу не може се две капе.
На поруке вук меса не ије.
На силу се не може волети.
На усамљеност осуђују пријатељи.
Надури се ко ћуран на буњишту.
Најчешће опече потајни жар.
Најгоре је кад паднеш у њеним очима.
Најпре испред своје куће почисти.
Највише се воле људи који имају исте врлине, највише се мрзе који имају исте мане.
Не бој се онога коме ниси добро учинио.
Не буди отров да трујеш другог и не буди мед да те други полижу.
Не хватај се у коло ако не знаш играти.
Не лаје куја ради села, него ради себе.
Не плаши вука с’ козијом мјешином.
Не вичи, оно што те је снашло нећес тако отерати.
Не зна да бесједи, а не уме да ћути.
Неће куче на куче.
Неће крушка испод трешње.
Нема лета док се не закикоће луг.
Нема ништа несносније од богате жене.
Нема ту ћука, да није вука.
Нема зиме док не падне иње.
Немогоше поједоше, а некће се све попише.
Неста блага, неста пријатеља.
Ни најбољи петао не може да измени време.
Није допуштено све знати.
Није сиромах ко мало има, већ ко много жели.
Није вук ничије среће изио.
Никад зао на горега неће.
Нико не уме да се весели као сиротиња.
Нико није задовољан својим богатством и незадовољан
Ништа није лепше од осмеха заљубљене жене.
Ништа није тако лоше да не може бити горе.
Нов бунар копај, у стар не пљуј.
Новци ситно звече, ал’ се далеко чују.
О јаране, боле ли те ране?
О непријатељу не говори зло, него мисли.
Обичан живот је јачи од мудрих књига.
Обоје је зло: и свима веровати, и никоме.
Од самоће ништа горе нема.
Онај ко те се боји кад си присутан, мрзи те кад си одсутан.
Онај те воли који те нагони на плач.
Ономе, ко уме да чека, временом све долази.
Осмехни се свакоме јутру.
Особа којој “треба” љубав последња је која ће је добити.
Отето – проклето.
Откуд сам се надао да ме сунце огрије, отуда ме лед бије.
Овца је вучије штене дојила и узгојила.
Озбиљно одгодимо за сутра.
За бриге је тешко чувати лепе девојке.
Паметна глава – стотину руку.
Паметни људи уче се на туђим грешкама, будале на властитим.
Поцни! Запоцето је пола дела.
Подноси, а не тужи на оно чему се не може избећи.
Пошто се кола сломе, многи пут казују.
Пошто се напијеш воде, не мути извор за собом.
Поштуј, ако хоћес да си поштован.
Позајми рукама, па тражи ногама.
Прав се смије, а крив се крије.
Пријатељ је најбоља имовина у животу.
Пријатељу и непријатељу дај увек добар савет, јер пријатељ га прихвата,
Прва је врлина бити без мане.
Прво поједи своје па туђе.
Равнодушност је најбољи начин у бригама.
Рђа једе гвожђе, а туга срце.
Реч “сутра” је измишљена за децу и за неодлучне људе.
Речи су као пчеле, оне су истовремено и мед и жаока.
Сачувај се Боже, од мирног сина код опаке снаје.
Слабо слови, али добро лови.
Слогом расту мале ствари, неслогом се и највеће распадају.
Срдитом попу празни бисази.
Срећа се састоји од избегнутих несрећа.
Срећан је онај који седи у својој кући.
Стари вук, пасја спрдачина.
Старост је болест од које свако умире.
Што данас не потрошиш, то си стекао.
Што је свачије, то је ничије.
Што је више брдо, то је дубља доља.
Што је живот скупљи – карактер је јефтинији.
Што људи имају више, то више зжеле.
Што мачка коти, миша лови.
Што висе силе, више и зла.
Страх је већ пола несреће.
Стрпљења! Временом од траве постаје млеко.
Свак за се козе пасе!
Свака је вика на вука,
Свака књига има своју судбину.
Свако има права колико има моћи.
Својство је лудости туђе мане видети, а своје заборавити.
Свуд је проћи, ал’ је дома доћи.
Такав је човек, само онима највише завиди којима највише дугује.
Тело жене створено је да буде пружено на дар мушкарцу.
Тешко је чувати туђе паре и своју жену.
Тешко волу у јарму и човеку у најму.
Ко није служио, не умије ни заповједати.
Трипут кроји, једанпут режи.
Туђе је све лијепо, али је своје најљепше.
У гладним очима сваки је комад мали.
У вину је истина.
Учење је светлост.
Учини човеку сто пута добро, а једанпут не уцини –
Учини добро, не кај се; учини зло, надај се.
Упало је вуку у чељусти.
Узми врага ради блага,
Важан је само тренутак и покрет којим се даје
Велику срећу прати завист.
Весела младост највећа је радост.
Види мајку па проси девојку.
Више вреди што жена устеди него што муж заради.
Вода свашта опере до црна образа.
Вода све однесе, а срамоту не може.
Волети неког значи оставити му довољно простора да расте.
Времену се ваља покоравати.
Вуче се као манџука по тавану.
Вук и лисица мјењају длаку, али ћуд никада.
Вук који штреца не једе месо.
Залуду ми је бисер кад ми грло дави.
Жар љубави често опече.
Због сирота сунце грије.
Жедан коњ не бира мутну воду.
Желиш ли знати која су три највећа зла за човека? Ево укратко: жена,
Жена која донесе мираз влада мужем.
Жени је најслађи залогај – мушко срце.
Зид руши влага, а човека брига.
Зими без торбе и лети без гуња никада не иди.
Злато је чисто и у прљавој кеси.
Зуб времена је многе пресјеко.

Lessons from Marija Gajevic in Mladenovac, Serbia!

The powerful Serbian proverbs on the left hand side of this page came from the hard work of a wonderful female student at the “Kosta Djukic” school in Mladenovac, Marija Gajevic.

Marija has her own website, in which she teaches others throughout the world about her people, city, and country, Serbia.

http://www.oskosta.org/autor.html

She says she lives in Mladenovac, near the Selters Spa with her parents and grandmother (Baba).  Marija has an older sister attending the Mathematical High School in Belgrade.  Her parents work in the local factories in Mladenovac.  Her school is close to her home.

The website is Marija’s idea, but her sister helps her with the html processes, which help bring her ideas to fruition, reality.

Marija would like to be a Scientist someday, and is well on her way to an outstanding career, especially using her Public Relations skills she has already developed.

Mladenovac is a city located in Serbia at 44.43 North, 20.70 East. Its name stems from word “youth” in Serbian language. In 2002 the city has total population of 55,076.

 ++++++++++++++++++

Here are some Math games, including the game of CONCENTRATION, Marija made for the children in her school:

http://matematikaos.blogspot.com/search/label/IGRICE ZA DECU

++++++++++++++++++

Many of us who are 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation American Serbs have forgotten the Serbian language of our ancestors.  Marija gives us a wonderful reminder of how important it is to keep the language.  Stevan Nemanja told his son, St. Sava, how important it was:

http://www.oskosta.org/zavestanje.htm

Реч Стефана Немање (оца Симеона) изговорене на самртничкој постељи, које је записао његов најмлађи син Растко, Свети Сава 

   “Чувајте, чедо моје мило, језик као земљу. Реч се може изгубити као град, као земља, као душа. А шта је народ – изгуби ли језик, земљу, душу? Не узимајте туђу реч у своја уста. Узмеш ли туђу реч, знај да је ниси освојио, него си себе потуђио. Боље ти је изгубити највећи и најтврђи град, него најмању и најнезнатнију реч свога језика. Земље и државе не освајају се само мачевима, него и језицима. Знај да те је туђинац онолико освојио и покорио, колико ти је речи поткрао и својих натурио.

   “Народ који изгуби своје речи престаје бити народ. Постоји, чедо моје, болест која напада језик као зараза тело. Памтим ја такве заразе и морије језика. Бива то најчешће на рубовима народа, на додирима једног народа с другим, тамо где се језик једног народа таре о језик другог народа. Два народа, мило моје, могу се бити и могу се мирити. Два језика никад се помирити не могу. Два народа могу живети у највећем миру и љубави, али њихови језици могу само ратовати. Кад год се два језика сусретну и измешају, они су као две војске у битки на живот и смрт. Док се год у тој борби чује и један и други језик, борба је равноправна, кад почиње да се боље и више чује један од њих, тај ће превладати. Најпосле се чује само један. Битка је завршена. После изгубљеног језика нема народа. Знај, чедо моје, да та битка између језика не траје дан-два, као битка међу војскама, нити годину-две, као рат међу народима, него век или два, а то је за језик исто тако мала мера времена као за човека трен или два.

   “Зато је, чедо моје, боље изгубити све битке и ратове, него изгубити језик. После изгубљене битке и изгубљених ратова остаје народ. После изгубљеног језика нема народа. Језик је, чедо моје, тврђи од сваког бедема. Кад ти непријатељ провали све бедеме и тврђаве, ти не очајавај, него гледај и слушај шта је са језиком. Ако је језик остао недирнут, не бој се. Пошаљи уходе и трговце нека дубоко зађу по селима и градовима и нека само слушају.

   “Тамо где одзвања наша реч, где се још глагоља и где се још, као стари златник, обрће наша реч, знај, чедо моје, да је то још наша држава, без обзира ко у њој влада. Цареви се смењују, државе пропадају, а језик и народ су ти који остају, па ће тако освојен део земље и народ кад-тад вратити својој језичкој матици и своме матичном народу.”

+++++++++++++++++++

Visit Marija’s School here:

http://www.oskosta.org/foto_skola.html

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++


 

Some more famous sayings— Marija calls these:

Riznica Mudrosti izbor misli

http://www.oskosta.org/mudrosti.htm

++++++++++++++++++

Here is one of my favorite pages!  It has all of the Fairy Tales written in Cyrlllic Serbian!

Can you guess which one this is?

Три прасета

Била једном три прасета. Два прасета су била весели другари, који су волели песму и игру. Треће им је често говорило: “Боље би било да сазидате неку кућицу у којој бисте били сигурни од љутог вука, уместо што се играте по цео дан”. И оно је сазидало за себе лепу камену кућицу. Прво прасе је тада рекло: “Па добро”, и направило кућицу од сламе. Али, вук је дошао и почео да дува и напослетку одувао целу кућицу. Тада је прво прасе отрчало, што је брже могло, другом брату, који је саградио кућицу од дрвета. Међутим вук је стигао за њим и опет почео да дува што је могао јаче. Одувао је, разуме се, опет целу кућицу.
Два прасета су онда отрчала кући трећег брата. “Пусти нас унутра! Вук нам је одувао кућице и сад нам је за петама”, закукала су браћа. Брат их је увео у кућу, а убрзо се појавио и вук. “Пусти ме унутра”, викнуо је, “иначе ћу и твоју кућицу одувати”. “Покушај само! “одговорило му је прасе. И вук је дувао и дувао, али кућица није пала. Онда се попео на кров и покушао да уђе у кућу кроз димњак. Али треће прасе га је чуло и запалило велику ватру на огњишту. Вук је пропао кроз димњак право у ватру и изгорео.

Here are the rest of the Fairy Tales to Choose From!  See if you can figure out which is which!

 http://pricezadecu.blogspot.com/2010/01/price-za-decu-tri-praseta.html

++++++++++++++++++

To our dear Marija, and all of the people in Mladenovac, a great big THANK YOU!, HVALA! from all of us here!

Mnogo, mnogo hvala!

+++++++++++++++++++

Be sure to listen to the children in Mladenovac singing with love to our beloved St. Sava here!

http://www.oskosta.org/video.htm

 It’s exciting to know that all around the world, children sing to St. Sava, even in Africa and South America, and of course, Europe, Australia and all of North America!

++++++++++++++++++

Dr. Branko Terzic, one of the most decorated Serbian Americans, now living near Washington, DC, has close ties to Mladenovac.

“Mim, loved Maya Gajevic’s addition to the web site. My late mother was from Mladenovac and her father was the city treasurer at one time. The city was name after a person “Mladen” and was briefly a royal city.”


Branko’s Mother, Olivera, as a child in Mladenovac in 1930

 Branko also sent along this image of Mladenovac’s

Coat of Arms:


And also this info:

Coat of arms of Mladenovac – Image by Dragomir Acovic,          17 May 2002

The arms of Mladenovac were granted on 15 May 2002.
 
The two golden pitchers stand for the two mineral spas the city has.
 
The name Mladenovac can be derived from the root mlad – “young, youthful”, whereas mladica means a budding plant, as symbolized by the oak trefoil.
 
The oak is further a symbol for the Holy Trinity, which is the city’s patronal feast. The other name for the same feast is Holy Spirit’s Day – thus the white dove resting upon the mural crown. The silver bar across the shield depicts the brook Lug.

The town is young and growing (established 1883). It grew fast out of the rapidly developing heavy industry, thus the golden offshoot of oak rises from the anvil.
 
In the early XVth century, Despot Stefan Lazarevic, ruler of Serbia, died in the forests of the Kosmaj mountain after an accident while hunting. The supporters, the compartment and the spilled arrows vividly tell this tale.
 
The horse is equipped as described in contemporary  writing by famous Byzantine historiographer pseudo-Corinus Couropalatas.
 
The supporters fly two banners: on the right the standard of the city of Belgrade, and on the left the one of the township of Mladenovac.


From the website:

http://www.crwflags.com/FOTW/FLAGS/rs-bg-ml.html
 

 

Disclaimer

 

These links and the ones on the previous pages are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the webmaster of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. The owner bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links.

Serbian recipe samples: Prijatno! Enjoy!

Georgiana, granddaughter of George Velikovich, enjoying a “krofne”-A Serbian donut!

Our Babas made the krofne much larger, but in these photos below, I just used a donut cutter… 1/2 size of the above beautiful donut Georgiana is holding!

Teti Ljubi’s recipe— Teti Ljubi dreamed of coming to America and made the beautiful flag I have with the double-headed eagle and the crossed American and Serbian flags shown elsewhere on this website. Then she and her husband, Stevo Bijelic, lived in Ambridge, PA, USA for 20 years, admidst close relatives. Ljubi worked in Paul’s Bakery and Stevo worked at the Sewickley Cemetery. They saved their money and each month sent money back to Gornnji Sjenicak, Vrgin Most, where they had a beautiful home built for their retirement.  Stevo helped take care of many of the villagers there and enjoyed a nice status before he passed away.  Unfortunately Teti Ljubi was one of those Serbs that had to flee in “Operation Storm” on a tractor, with nothing but her purse, joining 250,000 others cleansed from the new Croatia.  She has since passed away, but her memory is eternal.

 I always used butter instead. Crisco or vegetable oil should be heated about 20 minutes so it sizzles when you drop the dough in. Let brown on one side, and then turn once to finish…. Drain oil. Cover with sugar and “Ummm, Ummm!” Good!

HOW TO MAKE A SLAVA KOLACH:  (See Annotated Bibliography page.)


 Baba Mim’s Christmas 2010 table above.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Here’s the Volitich family, celebrating their Slava


 All the Volitich members help V.Rev. Fr. Stepanov turn the Slava kolach.  This way, you’re showing UNITY as a family, and remembering all those members who have since passed on, to guard your Slava and keep those traditions alive.

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HOW TO MAKE BUTTER BALLS:  (See Andja Mamula’s Folk Costume page)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Everyone loves Djuri Volitich’s CICVARA.  But this time, we’re going to give credit to Marlene Powell, of Boonesboro, who had this recipe published in the HOME COOKING section of The Herald-Mail. Marlene belongs to the St. Catherine Eastern Orthodox Church of Hagerstown.

“I am third-generation Serbian, and I was born into the Orthodox faith.

“This traditional Serbian recipe, cicvara (pronounced “SEETS-vuh-ruh,” rolling the R), can be found as a side dish at any special meal to celebrate a festive day at church or at home.

“This recipe was given to me by a Serbian family at our original home parish of St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church in McLean, Va. Every year I would delight to see my favorite dish on the buffet line at church. I finally remembered to get the recipe.

“Now I include it for special events at St. Catherine Eastern Orthodox Church in Hagerstown.

“The secret to this traditional Serbian dish is to carefully monitor boiling and to stir often.

– Marlene Powell of Boonsboro

Cicvara

1 cup milk
2 cups sour cream
1 stick butter
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal

Combine milk, 1 cup sour cream, butter and salt in a saucepan over low heat. Bring to a boil. Add cornmeal, a little at a time, carefully monitor boiling and stir frequently until thick.

Cover, lower the heat and let simmer 30 to 45 minutes until entire mixture starts to float in butter.

Transfer to an 8-inch-by-8-inch casserole dish. With remaining sour cream, spread a layer on top (like icing) just before serving. Serve warm.

Serves 4 to 6.

Cook’s note: Double or triple the recipe if serving in a large casserole dish.

— Courtesy of Marlene Powell, who is a member of St. Catherine’s Eastern Orthodox Church in Hagerstown.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From Violet Rodich’s kitchen in the Merrillville, IN Serbian Sisters Circle (KSS) of St. Sava Church Cookbook in Merrillville, Indiana, p. 189 (Gary, IN)  

Nut Roll or POTICA

3 1/2 c. flour

1 pkg. dry yeast

1 cup milk

2 Tablespoos sugar

2 Tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 recipe Walnut Filling

In large mixer bowl, stir together 1 1/2 cups flour and the yeast.  Heat milk, sugar, butter and salt just until warm, stirring constantly until butter almost melts.  Add to the dry mixture in mixer bowl;  add egg.  Beat at low speed on the electric mixer for 1.5 minutes, scraping the bowl constantly.  Beat 3 minutes at high speed.  By hand, stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough.  Turn out onto large floured cloth;  knead for 6-8 minutes.  Place in greased bowl, turning once and let rise until double, about an hour.

Meanwhile,  prepare Walnut Filling:  In a bowl, combine:

2 cups ground walnuts

1 beaten egg

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 Tablespoons honey

2 Tablespoons milk

1 Tablespoon of melted butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

Set aside.

Punch dough down, cover and let rest 10 minutes.  On floured cloth, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness, about 25 x 10 inches.  Stretch gently, working from center to edges, pulling very thin, to about 30 x 20 inches.  Spread with the filling.  Starting at the long side, use cloth as guide to rollup dough jellyroll fashion.  Pinch edges to seal.  Place one end of roll in center of large greased baking sheet.

Coil the dough to make a snail-shaped spiral; seal end.  Cover and let rise in warm place until nearly double, about 30-45 minutes.  Bake in a 350 degrees over 30-35 minutes until brown. 

 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Getting ready for Sveti Nikola and this recipe by Alexis Bobick Bajich looked so good!  It’s from the POSNO recipe page she started on FACEBOOK. Thanks, Alexis! Alexis is near Kansas City, Kansas.  (Lenaxa!  And she’s part of the famous Bajich Brothers Orchestra Family.)

 

Vegetable Barley Soup

1 bag 15 bean dried bean mix (soaked/rinsed)

1 – 2# bag carrots, peeled & chopped

5 large onions chopped

1 celery stalk (the whole thing) chopped

1 can V8 low sodium or 15oz tomato sauce

2 TBS sea salt

COLD water

Put the ingredients in a 16qt stalk pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 3 hours or until beans are soft.

Add 1 box quick cook barley

Make zafrik: heat oil in a pan with 1 cup flour and mix until brown – slowly add to pot and it will thicken.

You can add seasonings to your taste. i like to add some vegeta as well. 

Alexis adds: 

“I didn’t not feel i was doing posti-ing any justice after I made this. I ate bowl after bowl afte bowl. I felt like I was at my +grandmother’s and she made it! I was so excited.

Sorry it’s not smaller in size. Not sure how to cook small. Does any Serb? :)”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

And here’s Lenten Vegetable Cream Soup from her friend, Tomislava Andjelic, also from FACEBOOK.

LENTEN (POSNO) VEGETABLE CREAM SOUP

 

2 L water

1 cauliflower (medium)

2 carrots

1 parsnip

1 potato

1 Tbsp Vegeta

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook together vegetables in water until tender. Blend in food processor, addiing water if too thick. Return to pot and continue cooking for a short time. Add a tablespoon of Vegeta, salt and pepper to taste before completely cooking. When serving, sprinkle chopped parsley. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And you need to have a dessert to go with those Lenten (Posno) meals.  

Well, Milica Babir-Manojlovic sent this one to Alexis’ Facebook Posno Recipe page and it sounds so great!

Wine Cake

1 cup white wine (no cooking wine)

1 cup olive oil

1 cup ground walnuts

1 cup sugar

1 cup raisins

 

Mix all these ingredients with wooden spoon till combined and then add:

2 cups flour

1tbs baking soda

Mix flour with wet ingredients till all well combined

Grease 9×13 pan 

Bake at 350F for about 30-40 minutes until the top becomes medium brown

“Actually my birthday is September 27 (Krstov dan) a fast day.. This is my birthday cake(-: Make it every year!!”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

Meet 10 year old Alyssa Shorak (shown here in the middle with her two good friends, Noel and Megan.  Alyssa Shorak, fantastic cherry pie maker! 

It was at the Shorak Slava of St. Stephan (January 9th, 2010, where I was first treated to probably the best cherry pie I ever tasted.  Alyssa’s Baba, Patty Perenovich Shorak from Midlland, couldn’t be prouder of her talented granddaughter.  “I just showed her two times before, and now she does all this cooking herself!  She can even double/triple it with ease, with no one helping.  She’s a tremendous little baker!”

Alyssa has played soccer for many years and loves playing her position of Goalie, the hardest position of all, I think!  She has taken piano lessons for 4 years now and is a member of Jedinstvo Tammies in Pittsburgh, where she’s learning the Prim.  Her Dad, Eli, jokes that Alyssa is also learning the trumpet in school, but that she definitely hasn’t mastered it yet. 😉  Alyssa loves animals and going to her Baba’s farm where her Dad grew up.  She started her own garden this year and created her own first tree farm.

Try this PIE DOUGH recipe from Alyssa.  It’s a sure fire winner!  (Alyssa’s Baba Patty used to do a lot of catering at the Midland Serbian Club which helps explain such talent!)  Too, Alyssa’s Mom, Sharon, is no cooking slouch either.  She made a tremendous feast for the Slava, though not having a drop of Serbian blood.  I say she’s 101% adopted Serb! Eli agrees and jokes, “She knows more Serbs/Serbian than I do!  She’s terrific and does everything!” 

By the way, I must also mention Alyssa’s little sister, Erica, age 8.  Erica helped her Dad, Eli, make the Kolach this year.  Eli, who has a very important job working at the University of Pittsburgh said of Erica:  “She worked quite hard helping me knead the Kolach dough and was so proud when she saw the end result. She literally beamed with pride when Fr. Rajko blessed our family’s kolach in Holy Trinity Cathedral!”

I can vouch that BOTH girls are darling!  Genuine Sweetness oozes from them both!  Hvala Bogu!

And how Eli got to be the Kolach maker in the family is a story for another time.  It’s hilarious, though! 

Alyssa’s Luscious Pie Dough:

2 Cups of Robin Hood flour (all Serbs like that brand!)

1 Cup Crisco

1/2 Cup of Half ‘n Half

2 Tablespoons of Vinegar

Dash of salt.

Mix all together and then freeze for 30 minutes before using.  Use Cherry or Peach Pie filling. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

P.S.  The Cherry Pie was the last thing I tasted before leaving the just-like-old-times Slava.  There were neighbors and their children of all ages.  Best of all was the fact that there at least 3 generations of relatives present on both sides of Eli’s family as in the olden days at our house.  I felt right at home singing along with Eli’s Ukranian Uncle Paul and his Teta Mickey Shorak Hrynewich from Conway in Beaver County.  Uncle Paul stopped in the middle of “Ima Dana” to tell me that the years he belonged to Midland’s Male Chorus (15 years) were the best years of his life.  “All of us were out of work.  Instead of just mopping around, we got together and sang and worked for the church.  I really enjoyed myself.  Only requirements were you had to be at least 55 years of age and wear glasses.  AND, we all wore glasses!”
Eli’s oldest uncle is Rodney (Rade) Perenovich.  He came loaded with a huge shoebox (bootbox!) full of interesting papers that he was able to dig out from the Ancestry.com files on the computer.  He could trace his great-grandfather coming to the country from an area close to Vrgin Most in present day Croatia (then the Austro-Hungarian Empire) to Canada.  From Canada he boarded a train to America where genealogist Rodney literally re-traced the route hoping to find even more info.  His great-grandfather then got married in Steelton, before finally winding up in Midland.
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 The late Protonica Pola Tomich’s recipe for KOLJIVO.
 
(For Memorial Mass use whole cooked wheat.
For Slava, use 1/2 cooked wheat & grind 1/2 the amount.) 
 
1 lb. wheat
1 lb. ground walnuts
1 lemon rind
1 lb. box Confectioner’s Powdered Sugar (or sweeten to taste)
1/4 teaspoons of ground cloves
1 Tablespoon nutmeg
(Rum if you like, another teaspoon/tablespoon or so won’t hurt! Mim’s addition! :-))
 
Wash wheat and cover with water and let soak all night.  Drain the next day.  Cover with water again and cook until soft.  (Sometimes more than 3 hours.)  You can also change the water again if you like within this time like I do.
 
Strain cooked wheat and let stand for 1/2 hour.
 
Spread the cooked wheat on clean cloth (or tablecloth) and cover using another clean cloth for about 1/2 hour.  Grind 1/2 part of the wheat (if used for the Slava) and then add the rest of the ingredients.  Mix well.
 
Put in deep dish or bowl and decorate with powdered sugar and almonds, raisins or nuts or all!  People usually use the nuts/raisins to make the sign of the cross on top.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bill Cherry isn’t Serbian, but he has written several articles about the Serbs of Galveston. Bill’s friend, Elaine Mitrovich, thought our readers might like to try this recipe as Bill says “everyone who has ever had it always asked me for the recipe.” Thanks, Bill!
 
Bill, who has also served Texas for 45 years as a realtor, also has a book about the TALES OF GALVESTON for any interested readers! 
 
Bill’s Famous Cream of Fresh Tomato Basil Soup
 
3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. 
2 red onions, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
10 Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon of tomato paste
1/4 cup of chopped basil leaves
4 cups of chicken stock
1 tablespoon of kosher salt
2 teaspoons of ground pepper
1 cup of heavy cream
Juice of one lemon. 
 
Heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the onions, garlic and carrots and saute over low heat for 10 minutes.  Then add the tomatoes, sugar, tomato paste, chopped basil, chicken stock, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Stir and bring to boil, then simmer for 30 minutes.
 
Add the cream to the soup and then process in a blender until smooth.  Reheat the soup when ready to serve.
 
SHRIMP BISQUE 
 
Add generous portions of chopped freshly boiled shrimp to each bowl before serving, then add a splash of sherry or cognac and a basil leaf or two to top each bowl. 
 
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
Betty Tomich’s GARLIC SAUCE:  SKORDALIA 
 
Garlic  (Either half or whole head–clean)
1/4 cup of Slivered Almonds
1 cup Milk
1 to 1.5 cup of light Olve Oil
1/4 to 1/2 cup of Distilled Vinegar
Loaf of Bread (either with ends on or off works) 
 
Put in blender or food processor and WHIP.
 
Note:  If too thick, add liquid in same equal proportions to loosen.  
 
Betty says you can enjoy with some great bread…..or cooked mashed potatoes!
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 Martha meeting Pres. Tadic in Cleveland, OH
Martha Zatezalo of Weirton-Steubenville, OH is multi-talented in so many diverse ways.  She’s an Interior Decorator, over-all Handyman, tremendous organizer of big affairs (event planner), “Driver,” sign-painter, photographer, and of course cook and baker! (Besides being an outstanding wife and mother.) Here’s her recipe for
 
Peanut Butter Balls or BUCKEYES
 
2 sticks oleo, melted
2 c finely crushed graham crackers
1 c coconut
(I throw my Coconut into the blender to make it finer)
1 c peanut butter
1# powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Mix and roll into small balls & place on waxed paper.

Melt 1/2 block parafin and 12oz bag of semi-sweet morsels on top of double boiler. When melted lift balls with a toothpick and dip. Use toothpick to dip into chocolate and cover holes….unless you are making ‘buckeyes’….leave some pb showing.
 
 

Like for a wedding!  Of a Prince/Princess!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Patty Martinovich posted her Lenten cookie recipe on Facebook too, New Year’s Eve, 2010
 
1 cup karo syrup (without the high fructose jazz), put in big pot and turn on low heat….add 1 cup creamy peanut butter and 1 cup sugar, stir til mixed and liquidy…add 6 cups Cheerios (after turn off heat) and stir it up until well-coated. Place on wax paper by tablespoonfuls…can drizzle some dark chocolate icing on top (I bought the kind in the plastic tube that is lenten, but choc full (no pun intended) of chemicals…. EASY PEASY!!
 
Just let it harden like Rice Krispie treats.
This was a big hit here!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Dan Jurich shares his Posno Chocolate Cake
recipe on Facebook:  4/6/11
 
3 cups sifted cake flour or 3 cups regular flour with 2 level tablespoons less flour

2 cups sugar
6 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2/3 cup oil
2 teaspoons vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups cold water

Sift dry ingredients together three times. Put in mixing bowl and add remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour into ungreased 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F or until tester (toothpick) comes out clean. Do not over-bake. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when cool or frost with Lemon Frosting.

Lemon Frosting:
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon water

Mix well.
Ground nuts may be added on top if icing is used
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DJOKIC Slava, St. Nicholas, Dec. 19, 2011
  Dr. Divna serves up Koljivo for her guest, 2010
 
Dr. Miroslav and his mother, 2010, at their Slava.
 Alisha Hipwell, reporter with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, wrote a beautiful story called “Celebrate St. Nick with a Serbian-style ‘slava’ on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011.  
 
     Drs. Miroslav and Divna Djokic celebrate each year with their family and friends at their Franklin Park residence, a suburb of Pittsburgh, PA.  Guests fill each room of the house, while children are content to take over the lower level.  
     Divna is a pediatrician and Miroslav is a pathologist.  Their St. Nicholas Slava always falls on a Fast Day, so the couple serves a menu meat and dairy-free–no eggs, for instance.  But the food always looks wonderful and tastes sumptious.  Here, Divna serves up some great recipes for us:  
 

Sarma

These are rolled cabbage or grape leaves, but the fasting variant. Divna Djokic says some ethnic and specialty stores sell the whole pickled cabbage leaves in jars or frozen, but you also can substitute grape leaves.

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1 cup rice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • 1 sour cabbage in whole leaves (or 1 jar grape leaves)
  • Water to cover

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Saute onion for approximately 20 minutes or until golden.

Add sunflower seeds and rice to onion. Saute 5 minutes.

Add seasoning (salt, pepper, paprika) to taste to sunflower seed and rice mixture. Stir to combine.

Separate cabbage or grape leaves. Put 1 tablespoon rice mixture in center of cabbage leaf. Roll leaf closed. Repeat with remaining rice mixture and leaves.

Place stuffed leaves into deep baking dish. Cover with water. Cover with lid or aluminum foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 2 to 3 hours or until leaves are soft and slightly golden.

 

LIMA BEANS GRATINEE-PREBRANAC (Serbian Style Baked Beans)

Divna Djokic’s version is vegetarian to comply with the Advent fast. You can top the dish with bacon or sausage.

  • 1 pound large dried lima beans
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced in thin circles
  • 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • 2 to 3 bay leaves
  • Reserved cooking water

In a large pot, bring lima beans to a boil. Boil 10 to 15 minutes and drain.

Add fresh water to cover beans by 2 inches. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer approximately 2 hours or until beans are tender. Drain, reserving water.

Heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute onion slices for 20 minutes or until golden.

Add garlic and seasonings to taste to onions. Mix well and sauté 1 to 2 more minutes.

Combine beans, onion mixture and reserved water in a deep baking dish.

Add bay leaves.

Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour or until top is golden and water is absorbed.

Suva Pita

  • 1 pound ground walnuts (you can can use a meat grinder to grind them)
  • 4 to 8 ounces raisins
  • 8 ounces plus 1 pound granulated sugar, divided
  • 4 ounces oil
  • 1 pound phyllo pastry sheets No. 4 (14-by-16 inches)
  • 16 ounces water
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced with peel

Mix walnuts, raisins and 8 ounces of sugar in a bowl.

In a deep dish, place 1 phyllo sheet. Sprinkle with oil. Repeat phyllo/oil layer twice more.

Layer next phyllo sheet. Sprinkle with 3 to 5 tablespoons of walnut mixture.

Layer next phyllo sheet on top of walnut mixture. Sprinkle with oil. Repeat phyllo/oil layer twice more.

Layer next phyllo sheet. Sprinkle with 3 to 5 tablespoons walnut mixture.

Alternate oil and walnut mixture layering process until walnut mixture is gone. The last layer should be 3 phyllo sheets sprinkled generously with oil.

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

In the pan, cut phyllo into 1-by-2-inch rectangles.

Bake until golden, around 30 minutes.

While suva pita is baking, boil water and 1 pound granulated sugar until sugar is dissolved and mixture starts sticking. Add lemon slices.

Pour warm sugar and lemon mixture slowly over baked suva pita. Let stand overnight.Cut into small pieces before serving.

— Divna Djokic

 

CHOCOLATE BAJADERA

This is a non-fasting version.

  • 8 ounces granulated sugar
  • 4 to 5 tablespoons water
  • 5 ounces ground walnuts
  • 5 ounces ground petit beurre cookies
  • 4 ounces butter, unsalted
  • 8 ounces dark chocolate, divided

Bring water to a boil. Add sugar. Boil until sugar is dissolved.

Add ground walnuts, cookies and butter. Mix until dough forms.

Divide dough in half. Press dough onto an 8-by-16-inch piece of cardboard. A shirt box works well.

Melt 4 ounces dark chocolate. Mix thoroughly with remaining dough.

Spread chocolate mixture on top of light-colored dough.

Flip the bajadera so the chocolate mixture is on the top and the light dough on the bottom.

Melt remaining 4 ounces of chocolate. Spread a thin layer of melted chocolate on top of light dough layer.

Refrigerate, uncovered, overnight. Cut into 1-by-2 inch rectangles before serving.

Other photos of great Posno dishes, 2010.


 

Sarmas: Pigs in the Blanket 

1 head cabbage

3 lbs. of ground beef, pork and veal mixture. (1 pound each)

1 cup rice, cooked according to directions.

5 medium onions, chopped

Bacon grease

Salt to taste

Pepper

1 Tablespoon of Paprika or Vegeta 

3 cloves garlic, mashed 

2 large cans of sauerkraut

1 can tomato soup, diluted  or large can of Tomato Sauce.

HERE WE GO! 

To blanch cabbage leaves, core the cabbage head and insert large meat fork in center.  Place head in boiling water in a dutch over for a few seconds until leaves can be easily removed.  Remove all leaves that will be large enough to stuff. 

(If no dutch oven, just place cabbage in large pan of boiling water after removing as much of the core as possible.  Cook only until leaves soften (Less than 15 minutes.) 

Cook rice as directed and drain.

Saute onions in bacon grease (or butter) until soft.  (You can also use chopped bacon here.)  Mix meat, rice, eggs, onions together thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper and garlic, and Paprika or Vegeta.  

Remove the leaves from the head of cabbage one at a time.  Turn each leaf over and trim the heavy vein on the leaf with a sharp knife (don’t cut through the leaf.)

Place the filling in the cabbage leaves (one at a time) and tuck in the ends firmly. 

Rinse the sauerkraut and drain.  Put 1/2 can of kraut on the bottom of the pot.  Lay rolls neatly and close together. Make layers.  Top each layer with 1/2 can of kraut.  If you have any cabbage left, you can shred it and place on top of kraut. 

Pour 1 can of soup and 1 can of water (or large can of Tomato Sauce) over the cabbage rolls.  

If you have any smoked meat, place in sarma container too.

Cover with foil or a lid and…. 

Bake for 2 hours at 350 degrees until tender.  Enjoy!

Note: 

Some people also include 1 or 2 eggs and then add some Farina (or corn meal) to the mixture above.  We do this for our hamburgers.)

++++++++++++++++++

Palachinkas, Serbian Pancakes.  

Everyone loves them! 

 This recipe came from the FACEBOOK Palachinka page with over 343,085 fans!

Sastojci  (Ingredients):

-2 šolje brašna -2 cups of flour

-3 šolje mlijeka -3 cups of milk

-2 jaja -2 eggs

-kašika šećera -one spoon of sugar

-malo soli_-a little bit of salt

-ulje__-cooking oil

Opis:

U mlijeko umutite jaja, brašno, šećer i malo soli. Peći u tavi, na kraju staviti nadjev po želji. Prijatno!

Mix milk with eggs, flour, sugar and salt. Bake in baking dish. 

Put jelly in the middle & roll! 

Enjoy! 

For at least the first 5 years of our married life, we used to have Palachinkas for breakfast on Saturday mornings!  Joi! 

++++++++++++++++++ 

Update from Linda Porter, from the Masontown / Carmichaels, PA area.

On Dec 16, 2009, at 8:18 PM, Linda K Porter wrote:

Good Evening Baba Mim! 

I wanted to let you know that I wanted to learn to make a Kolach for my Slava this Saturday and was having difficulty locating good directions for a beginner.  I logged onto your website and found your recipe and instructions very easy to understand and the picture helped me to see what it should look like. I made it and it came out very good for my first try. However, Father Rodney said it has to be a fasting Kolach since we are in the Nativity fast. I put it in the freezer and tried it again with soy milk, and margarine and left out the eggs. It still looks similar to your picture and I am so happy and thankful for your excellent guidance!  

I hope you are well and I look forward to meeting you some day.  If you recall, you sat with my husband at our Lenten Supper at St George last spring. Since then, I have sent your website to many people. You continue to inspire and you don’t even know it!

Thanks again and Best Wishes to You!

Linda Porter 

LINDA THE INVENTOR!

She invented her own Posno Kolach!

+++++++ 

Baba Mim,

 Thank you so much for your kind words!  If you share the changes with anyone, you can also tell that I brushed the top with a mixture of sugar water (saw that in a Serbian cookbook a long time ago with apple dumplings) .. and then AFTER it was baked, I brushed melted margarine on the top for that shiny look you can only get with egg yolk.  It looked almost the same. I am not so sure what the texture will be though! It was funny… I was blessed with two sons… and I did not know or remember how my mother braided my hair!  My husband saved the Kolach!  : )

Linda Porter’s 1st Kolach!

Congratulations, Linda! 

Here’s Linda’s 2nd Kolach- Lenten One!

To view either Kolach larger, just select the lower right hand corner of the photo. 

 

Linda wrote:

Thank you so much for the pogacha recipe! I have just started making it…only have tried it twice and I was looking for other recipes to try. My mom is going to be 90 soon and she was searching her archives for any other ones that might be good.  I will try your recipe for Christmas Eve 24th since we are having baccala.  I will let you know how it turns out..

It is so nice of you to share your knowledge. Many people do not give out their recipes. I was never one of them….I feel that if you take it to your grave, no one will ever remember! When I make certain things that I have learned from my mom’s old friends… Hungarian, Italian, etc…… I think of them fondly each time I make it! I share it with others only to tell them who it belonged to.  Their memory is truly eternal in my kitchen.

 

Thank you again.  May you have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Thank you again for helping me along my way. 

Linda 

+++++++

I remember you now, Linda!  Thank you so much for letting me know the website is making a difference and that you’re a cook FIRST CLASS!

Only those brilliant ones know how to substitute!  Good for you, girl!  You invented a new POSNO Kolach!

++++++++++++++ 

Just in case you don’t have a Pogacha recipe, here’s one:  From my late sister-in-law Annie Bizic

 

1 1/4 cups warm water

2 Tablespoons of sugar

2 teaspoons of salt

2 Tablespoons of oil

1 small cake yeast (.6 oz)

3.5 to 4 cups of flour

(more or less)

 

Add first 3 ingredients and stir to melt.

Crumble yeast and let sit for 5-10 minutes to grow.

Add oil and flour.

Knead, then put in greased bowl and flip over.

Cover the bowl and let it rise until double the size.

The punch down shape and put it on a baking pan to rise again.

Rub water on the dough and bake at 375 degrees for 35 minutes.

++++++++++++++++++

UPDATE from Pat Cekoric

12/28/09

“This POGACHA recipe is similar to the one I use that I got from the Srbobran years ago. I also replace one cup of white flour with whole wheat flour and add some ground flax seeds because I don’t like to use white bread.” 

Thanks for the tip, PAT! 

+++++++++++++++++++

5/20/10

George Milosh’s

“Instant”

KAJMAK recipe

“It’s really simple.  Just use equal parts of butter, sour cream, and Feta cheese!”

George should know.

He comes from not only a Musically talented family, but one with incredible cooks too!

+++++++++++++++++++

 The Johnstown, PA newspaper, the Tribune-Democrat, did an EXCELLENT job in covering Johnstown’s SERB FEST 2010 (July 31-Aug. 1, 2010) which featured a guest appearance of author Gregory Freeman, (The Forgotten 500) at the War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, and at the Serbian Church picnic grounds the following day.

This event was sponsored jointly by the Bottleworks Ethnic Center and the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Johnstown. 

We feature here several recipes that appeared in the newspaper on Sunday, July 25, 2010.  Once again, “THANK YOU“ to the Tribune-Democrat for such excellent coverage in all areas of Serbian history and culture that truly helped make the event so successful!  They KNOW what a COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER is! 

Continued success Tribune-Democrat, in all of your endeavors!

+++++++

Honey Serbian Toast

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup honey

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 slices day-old bread

Butter or margarine

Sauce:

1 cup honey

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons butter

In shallow dish, combine eggs with milk, honey and salt. Add bread slices, one at a time, to egg mixture. Coat each side completely. Fry until golden brown on both sides in small amount of butter. Combine remaining honey, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons butter. Heat. Serve over toast.

Makes 4 servings.

By Radisa Purich

+++++++++++++++++ 

Pineapple-Cheese Baklava

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese

2 cups dry cottage cheese or Ricotta

1 cup sugar, divided

2 egg yolks and 1 whole egg

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

1/2 pound frozen filo pastry leaves, thawed (about 10 leaves)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Drain pineapple and save syrup. In mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks and whole egg, lemon peel and vanilla. Blend together on medium speed. Stir in drained pineapple. Place filo leaves between dampened towels to keep moist. Place a sheet of pastry in greased pan (9x13x2-inch). Brush with melted butter. Repeat process with 4 more leaves. Spoon on the pineapple-cheese mixture and spread level. Top with remaining filo leaves, brushing each sheet with melted butter as it is layered. Use sharp knife to carve diamond shapes in top of pastry. Bake at 350 degrees about 50 minutes or until golden brown. Combine 1/2 cup reserved pineapple juice, remaining 1/2 cup sugar and lemon juice. Cook to thick syrup. When Baklava is baked, spoon hot syrup evenly over top. Cool and cut into diamond shapes and markings.

By Betty Gjurich

+++++++++++++++++

Meat Pita

2 pounds ground beef

8 large onions, chopped fine

2 cups milk

2 teaspoons vegeta (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

2 eggs

Butter or oleo, melted

1 box filo dough

Sauté onions slowly in milk on low. Stir frequently so it does not burn until milk is absorbed. Cool slightly; add meat, vegeta, eggs, salt and pepper. Use 4 sheets of filo dough. Spread lightly with melted butter on first sheet and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Take third sheet and place 1/2 in center and the other 1/2 will overlap. Take fourth sheet and place on the other side of the third sheet. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and fold over filo dough. Fold both in and roll. Brush top with melted butter. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden color. May be frozen before baked.

By Olga Galagaza

++++++++++++++++++

Cottage Cheese “Corn” Bread

1 pound creamed cottage cheese

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons, oleo, melted

1/2 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

8 ounces sour cream

Mix first 4 ingredients. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour batter into a greased 9×9-inch pan and bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or until nicely browned.

By Mary Gallagher

++++++++++++++++++

Musaka Serbian Style

3 medium eggplants

Salt

Flour

7 eggs

2/3 cup vegetable oil

3 large onions, minced

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 pound each ground pork and beef

1 pound ground lean lamb

1/4 cup fine, dry bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

2 cups milk

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

3 egg yolks, beaten

Dairy sour cream (optional)

Peel eggplants and cut in 1/4-inch lengthwise slices. Sprinkle with salt and let stand 15 minutes; dust with flour. Then dip in 5 eggs, beaten and brown on both sides. Set aside. In skillet, cook onion. Mix meats, 2 eggs, bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and garlic. Add to onion; cook lightly until browned. In saucepan, melt butter in 6 tablespoons flour. Add milk and cook until smooth. Line a 3 1/2- to 4-quart roasting pan with layer of eggplant and meat mixture. Repeat layer, ending with eggplant. Pour sauce over top; heat in 375-degree oven for 1 hour. Cut in squares. Serve with sour cream if desired.

Makes 10 servings.

By Radisa Purich

++++++++++++++++++

Vera & her granddaughter, Jelisaveta, on Baba’s birthday! 

Jelisaveta is the daughter of Vera’s daughter, Mirjana.

On Oct. 21, 2011, via Facebook, Milica Katanic-Bozikovic asked her Kuma, Vera Diklic Svilar, about her wonderful

Cream Cheese Kiefels

Being a great Kuma besides a great cook, Vera was happy to oblige!

Makes about 5 dozen Cream Cheese Kolaci


Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:
•1 (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened
•12 ounces (3 sticks) butter, softened
•3 cups all-purpose flour
•2 (14-ounce) cans fillings of choice (apricot, prune, raspberry, etc.)
•Confectioners’ sugar

Preparation:

1.Mix cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add flour 1 cup at a time and mix well. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

2.Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out dough 1/4-inch on a surface that has been dusted with equal parts confectioners’ and granulated sugars (not flour), because the granulated sugar will act as ball bearings and help keep the dough from sticking. Cut into 2-inch squares. Place 1/2 to 1 teaspoon filling on center of each square. Overlap opposite corners of dough to the center over filling.

  1. Bake for 15 minutes or when corners start to brown. Cool and dust with confectioners’ sugar.  these tend to become soggy if held for several days, so store them tightly covered (or freeze) without confectioners’ sugar.  Dust with confectioners’ sugar just prior to service.

++++++++++++++++++

Recipes are for sharing, and here is a Nut Kiefel recipe from Serb World’s Nov./Dec. issue, 2011 on p. 31.  It was shared by Nettie Baltic, who comes from a family of great bakers.

I posted this so I could always have it handy myself!

Dough:

1 lb. sugar

4 cups flour

4 Tbsp. sour cream, heaping

4 egg yolks, slightly beaten.

Separate the 4 eggs.  Comibine the butter and flour as if you were making a pie dough.  Slightly beat the egg yolks.  Add yolks and sour cream to the flour mixutre. Mix well to form dough.

Divide the dough into 5 or 7 balls of equal size.  Wrap each in waxed paper and chill in the refrigeration for 1 hour until firm.

In the meantime, prepare the walnut filling.

Walnut filling:

3 to 4 cups of ground walnuts

1.5 cups sugar

1 or 2 whole eggs, slightly beaten

4 egg ehites beaten

Vanilla & almond extract


Grind the walnuts.  Slightly beat the whole eggs.  Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.  In a mixing bowl, combine the walnuts, sugar and whole eggs well.  Mix in flavoring.  Then gently fold in the beaten egg whites untill well blended throughout.

 

Making the kifles: 

On waxed paper, roll each piece of dough out into a circle.  Spread with filling.  Cut into pieces like cutting a pie.  Beginning at the wide edge, carefully roll up each section, ending with the narrow end.

Bake on cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 11 to 15 minutes or until light brown.

Sounds great, yes?

++++++++++++++++++

Mimo Milosevich’s mother’s   Sophie (Sovia) Danilova Milosevich’s Bean Soup…..

“In the house, my dad always called her Sovia…but then again…they always spoke in Serbian in the House…but, BACK to the Bean Soup…


For those who asked…It’s really quite simple…


Let’s talk about 2 lbs. of dried beans… with meat…Ham, Sausage, Salt Pork & Bacon…

GREAT NORTHERNs or PINTOs or LARGE LIMAs (Butter Beans)…

Lay the dry beans out on a cloth to sort. Make sure you take out those beans that just don’t look right…


Once satisfied…put the dry beans in a strainer…wash them well…to remove any grit…
Put the beans in a 6 quart pot about half full of water… add some salt…bring to a rolling boil & continue to boil for at least 8 to 10 minutes…in higher altitudes & in the upper Northern climates, add a few more minutes…just like you do with pasta…(instead of this boiling, some people just soak the beans over-night, but Mom didn’t do that)…


Then Strain the Beans again, but don’t rinse them…********(*=Bill Cherry reminder!)


Rinse your pot & bring half a pot of water back to a near boil…put the beans back in the pot once the water is good & hot…add 1 tablespoon each of Pepper (Paprika if your meat is just Shrimp for Lenten meals), Salt & Garlic Powder & let this continue to cook at a near boil…add 3 medium size potatoes chopped in large pieces with maybe 4 carrots chopped medium & maybe 3 or 4 large sprigs of celery medium chopped & a Large white onion chopped medium…add or subtract water to just cover the mix…


Then…Its easiest to buy a bone-in Ham Steak (Wash the steak with tap-water to get all the salt-water packing goo off it) about 1 lb. and/or your favorite sausage, all chopped to your liking & about a ¼ lb. of chopped bacon & ¼ lb. of Salt Pork in good size pieces…

The Zafrig or Roux or Thickener: Separately, in a sauce pan, heat up 2/3rds of a cup of Vegetable oil & add 2 heaping tablespoons of White flour…stir continually with a fork, til there are no lumps & it just starts to brown a little…add a cup of the soup mix to it stirring well and then add that all back to the soup…


AT THIS POINT THE POT SHOULD BE PRETTY FULL…
Bring it all back to a boil for about 15 minutes…stirring completely once a minute…
Lower heat just below half way (the boiling will stop on its own) for another 45 minutes or until the beans are tender…stirring from time to time…
Then…Let it all simmer on an extremely low heat, for a few hours, or even over-night…
And I don’t care what they say…ITS EVEN BETTER THE SECOND DAY as a left-over…

++++++++++++++++++ 

Serbian Singing Federation (SSF) with Paul Bielich

Thank you to Paul Bielich, Vlajko Lugonja’s loyal and worthy successor, for all this wonderful history about the Serbian Singing Federation for us to always have at our fingertips! Thank you, Paul!

I liken Paul to the famous guslar, Philip Visnich! (MKB 6/8/2020)

BIRTH OF THE SERBIAN SINGING FEDERATION       

The idea of founding choral societies was entertained for some time before it was realized. The credit of founding the Serbian Singing Federation goes to Vladimir M. Lugonja (“Vlajko”). Armed with the insight that no choir can exist long by itself, Vlajko persisted in his efforts to organize a national federation of choirs.

In 1930, he wrote a series of twelve articles published in the “Srbobran,” conferred with many local choral groups’ leaders, spoke at banquets and succeeded to arouse the interest for a national singing federation.

Vlajko was greatly encouraged by the responses to his articles and called a Conference for March, 1931 to discuss the need for and the organization of a national Serbian choral organization. Delegates from the then existing choirs heard reports, discussed the issues and decided to call a convention to formalize the organization, elect officers, and proceed to bring about the movement which grew from the founding five to the present forty-seven choirs throughout the United States and Canada.

The first Convention of the Serbian Singing Federation was held in October, 1931 , consisting of representatives from five singing societies:

• Chicago, “Branko Radichevich” • South Chicago, “Sloboda” • Gary, “Karageorge” • Detroit, “Ravanica” • Youngstown, “Vojvoda Putnik”

These five choirs were established as the charter member choirs. It was this historic Convention that laid the foundations of the Serbian Singing Federation and set its direction for future expansion and growth. Elected as the first officers of the Serbian Singing Federation were:

• Petar Sekulovich (Gary), President • Milica Stanizan (Chicago), Vice-President • Bozo Cucujlevic (South Chicago), Vice-President • Vladimir M. Lugonja, (Detroit), Secretary • Pajo Perencevich (Youngstown), Assistant Secretary • Nada Sulich (Chicago), Financial Secretary • And, Stevo Bogdanovich (Chicago), Treasurer.

Both the March, 1931 Conference and the October, 1931 Convention were held in the Christopher House in Chicago. The SSF Headquarters was housed in Vlajko’s home until 1936, in the City of Highland Park, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan.

+++++++++++++++++++++++


SSF FESTIVAL REMEMBRANCES

During World War II, choral activities were greatly reduced. Many choirs became temporarily inactive and the membership of the SSF fell from nearly thirty choirs to only eleven.

There were no festivals during the war years and only one convention. During this period singers assisted SSF Secretary, Vlajko Lugonja, in the shipment of thousands of parcels of clothes and food to war refugees.

After the War, the SSF regained its former membership. In 1948, the SSF sponsored its first post-war festival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A great moral success, the festival drew nineteen participating choirs and thousands of Serbs from throughout the nation.

Hosts for the occasion were the seven Serbian choirs from the Pittsburgh area -Aliquippa, Clairton, Midland, Pittsburgh, Wilmerding, Youngwood and McKeesport-Duquesne.

Festivities got underway Saturday evening with dances at the Slovak Hall in McKeesport and the CIO Hall in Aliquippa. The highlight of the evening was the selection of a “Princess of Sevdah” by Vinka Ellesin, “Queen”of Sevdah singing. (Sevdah was aunique style of singing Serbian song.

At festivals, individual soloists competed for the title of King, Queen and Princess of Sevdah singing. Rasha Radenkovich was the reigning “King” of Sevdah; Vinka Ellesin the “Queen” and Sophia Topalsky (now Papich), the “Princess.”

The following morning visiting choirs sang the liturgical responses at six of the Pittsburgh area churches.The Sunday afternoon concert at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall featured periormances from nine member choirs.

Milan Petrovich

Special program soloist was Serbian baritone opera star, Milan Petrovich, who sang several classical compositions in addition to solos with the Gary “Karageorge” and Steubenville “Petar Krstich” choirs. Two dances Sunday evening brought singers together -one at the Slovak Hall in McKeesport and the other at the Serbian Hall in Midland.

Danitza (Danica) Ilitsch

++++++++++

St. Elijah Choir of Aliquippa with Professor Boris Dobrovolsky

After a morning of sightseeing, choral societies presented their second program Monday afternoon in the renowned CarnegieMusic Hall. Special festival soloist was the famous Serbian-born opera star, Daniza lIitsch, who was singing with the MetropolitanOpera.  Her solo in Isidor Bajich’s beautiful and lyrical lullaby “Uspavanka Mome Sinu Vladimiru” with the Aliquippa GIrls Choir marked a most spectacular and memorable performance. Every note of the festival was recorded by the U.S. State Departmentand eight songs were selected for broadcasting over the “Voice of America”

 

 THE SSF AND POST WORLD WAR II 

After World War II, composer Ljubomir M. Bosnjakovich traveled to the various provinces in Yugoslavia gathering many folk songs and composed some fifty choral works he sent exclusively to the SSF.

The works were called “Splets” and contained songs from a particular area in Yugoslavia, for example: • “Dalmatinke” • “Bosanski Splet” • “Crnogorski Splet” • “Vojvodjanke” • “Dinarski Splet” • “Licki Splet”, etc. 

Recognizing the great contributions of the aging composer, the SSF voted to send Ljubomir Bosnjakovich a lifetime monthly stipend. Bosnjakvich lived on the Dalmatian island of Hvar. He was considered an outstanding choral composer of Serbian folk music. He completed the finishing touches on his grand opera “Robinja,” based on the first insurrection of the Serbs against the Turks. A true musical masterpiece is Bosnjakovich’s cantata, “Albanska Golgota,” which is a musical interpretation of Serbia’s turbulent years of World War I. 

The late Vlajko Lugonja, in writing a biography of the composer said: “When one surveys the output of present-day composers of choral music, Ljubomir Bosnjakovich truly may be called ‘the last of the Mohicans’ as far as pure Serbian folk music is concerned.” 

The decades following the war saw the continued success and prosperity of the SSF in perpetuating Serbian music on the North American continent. Choirs continued to organize, and newly formed ones eagerly joined the national singing federation.

Festival participation remained strong and has become one of the foremost national Serbian events held each year. Annual singing festivals have become “the” musical event of the year and have gathered thousands of Serbs each Memorial Day weekend for a gala event and rewarding musical experience.

The greatest honor for a Serbian artist was to be the soloist at a national choral festival. To be picked to sing to and for the singers was the most coveted engagement – a veritable command performance – of which any singer would be proud.

Over the years, the SSF has been blessed with the appearance of many fine soloists at festivals. Their sacrifice of time and willingness to perform, have offered a special touch of class to SSF festivals. What would festivals have been without hearing: Vinka Ellesin; Mitar Bulatovich; Milan Timotich; Angelina Vlajkovich; Sophia Topalsky Papich; Helen Tomich; Rasha Radenkovich; Danica Chirich; Uros Seferovich; Militza Kosanchich; Mija Novich; Milutin Lazich; Paul Zelich.

(Paul Bielich)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SSF MOVES ON

Headquarters in Detroit, Michigan

Although the Federation cooperates with the Serbian Orthodox Church on a national basis and all of our churches on a local level, the SSF is a separate, non-profit organization, founded for the purpose of organizing, developing and coordinating the efforts of its member choirs through festivals, conventions, choral workshops, scholarship funds and recordings.

The primary responsibility of each member choir is to sing responses to the Divine Liturgy every Sunday in their local churches. Through its choirs, the SSF seeks to perpetuate the priceless cultural heritage of their church and secular music among Americans and Canadians of Serbian descent.

The SSF has always supported a healthy relationship with the Serbian Orthodox Church on this continent. Many of our choirs were blessed to have participated in the visits by His Holiness +Patriarch Pavle to sing responses in the churches he visited. 

The Serbian National Federation was once the Greatest Benefactor of the Serbian Singing Federation. Their monthly stipend, in addition to their generosity in publishing the SSF and its member choirs in the American “Srbobran,” enabled the SSF to continue to prosper and grow. 

Annual conventions are held in September, alternating host choir colonies from east to west. We have traveled as far west as San Diego to St. George Serbian Singing Society where we were honored with the presence of actor Karl Malden, son of our first SSF President Petar Sekulovich, as our keynote speaker. 

Annual festivals are held in May, also alternating host choir colonies from east to west. We were honored being hosted by St. Steven’s, Alhambra – one of the farthest west choirs; the Stevan Hristich Serbian Choir of Phoenix; and the S.S.S. St. Nicholas of Omaha in the heart of the Midwest. 

In 2004 at the Cleveland festival hosted by S.S.S. Njegosh, the Branko Radichevich Choir of Nis, Serbia graced our festival stage with magnificence! Their appearance marked for the first time ever that a choir from our fatherland appeared at a SSF Festival.

Sava Miric, General Secretary of the Federation of Serbian Choirs of Serbia, and Aleksander Vujic, renowned composer and musical director presented to SSF President, Donna Medich, a gift of the Mokranjac Books and a gold medal… gifts from the choir, Federation and Patriarchate. The Serbian Singing Federation publishes a quarterly newsletter, the “SSF Hi-Notes,” to keep individual singers informed of other member choirs and the SSF itself.

The news publication is fortunate to have been managed by the very capable and talented editors over the years, namely: Danica Buncich Wess; Nikola Borota;  Rose Kosanovich;  Paul Bielich;  Donna Medich;  Holly Jovanovich; Jelena Stojakovich.  

In addition, the SSF maintains a website, www.serbiansingingfederation.org, for the general public and its member choirs.

Here you can find: SSF History;  SSF Major Events (Choral Workshop, Festival, &Convention);  Annual Calendar of Concert Events;  Churches with SSF Choirs;  SSF Merchandise;  Scholarship Information;  Information on Joining the SSF Member Area: SSF Published Music Database;  Meeting Minutes (Executive Board Minutes and Convention Minutes);  “Hi Notes” editions;  Photos of special events;  Announcements;  Choir Roster and Address List;  SSF By-Laws;  Classified Ads;  Related Links. 

The SSF proudly sponsors an annual Choral Workshop.  Started by John G. Wuchenich in 1968, the Choral Workshop is a three-day seminar for both director and singer that enlightens and informs participants in musical instruction . The development and uniqueness of Serbian music, both liturgical and secular, is its primary focus.

The Sunday Divine Liturgy affords workshop participants the opportunity to implement what they have learned by either directing or singing. The workshop site rotates around the North American continent to enable all singers an opportunity to participate.

The SSF was grateful to the Workshop Faculty namely Dr. Rick Zivic, Dr. Nikola Resanovic and Professor Milutin Lazich who gave unselfishly of their time to organize and deliver instruction at each Choral Workshop.

We were fortunate to include the local host choir’s director as an addition to faculty at each workshop. We were also fortunate to have had Dr. Miso Drobac of the SOCA Music Faculty participate with our faculty at numerous Choral Workshops. Each choir is permitted two delegates to represent it at the annual convention. These delegates must be eighteen years of age or older and must have been active singing members for at least SIX months prior to the convention date.

The choir’s SSF dues must be paid through August of that year to be considered a choir In good standing. Bids for convention, festival and choral workshop weekends for the following year are accepted at this time, reports are heard, pledges for the scholarship funds are accepted and plans for the future are discussed and advanced. New officers are elected for the following year. 

At the 1975 Convention, Johnstown St. Petka Choir President, Sylvester Gjurich presented Vlajko with a portrait donated by the St. Petka Serbian Orthodox Choir. 

At the 54th S.S.F. Festival, held in Chicago, Illinois in 1995, the Serbian Singing Federation launched a new award to pay tribute and honor one of its SSF Choral Directors. The award is given at the Festival to a director who has made significant contributions to the preservation and perpetuation of Serbian song, not only with his or her own choir, but for the entire Serbian Singing Federation as well. The award was named the Adam N. Popovich Distinguished Director Award.  Recipients of the award include: 

Adam N. Popovich (South Chicago);  Slobodan Zelich (Steubenville) ; Milan Medich (South Bend);   Nada Milosevich;  (Lackawanna);  V. Rev. Milan Bajich (Kansas City);  Dr. Rick Zivic (Cleveland; Dusan Saula (Monroeville); V. Rev. Milan Markovina (Milwaukee);  Dr. Nikola Resanovic (Akron);  Milutin Lazich (Monroeville); Mildred Beaver (Midland); Eliaabeth Neskow (Chicago); Protinica Mira Stojsavljevic (Hamilton); Ann Renard (Omaha); Milka Chuk (Windsor); Barbara Topich (Pittsburgh); and Alexandra Starcevich (Joliet). 

EARLY SSF FESTIVALS

New choirs were organized, old ones reactivated, and following a long series of articles in the American Srbobran, a national choral festival was called for May, 1936 on Memorial Day weekend in Akron, Ohio.

Sixteen choirs responded to this first festival. Thousands of visiting Serbs, including more than 1,000 from members of Serbian choral societies, flocked to Akron to participate and enjoy the SSF’s First Choral Festival!

THE MAKSIMOVICH BROTHERS!

The former Royal Yugoslav Government was approached by a quartet of famous young singers, the Maksimovich Brothers, and they were given traveling expenses to appear at this First Festival.

The city of Akron decorated the streets and a huge ‘Welcome Serbian Singers” sign lined its Main Street. The hotels were so overcrowded that some singers were housed in the police station and others in a hospital.

In the early organizational days of the Serbian Singing Federation, member choirs were divided into two divisions – east and west – and generally into three categories: mixed; male; and female. Festivals were held every two years and were of competitive nature. Eliminations were held in both the western and eastern divisions, culminating in the final contest.

The Famed Pupin Cup!

Three of the most qualified, paid, professional judges in the hosting city were contracted to choose the best singing choir using an arithmetical rating system. One of the judges was Serbian or of some other Slavic descent, acting as a guide on proper diction, style and interpretation while the other two handled the more technical aspects of the compositions.

It was an exciting era, for choirs and audiences reaped the sounds of the finest in Serbian choral compositions. The competitive festivals kept the choirs at the top of their strength, numerically and musically, inspired them to attend rehearsals, cooperate, plan for the future  and consider their singing more seriously. They brought out the best efforts on the part of the directors, some of which needed the little stimulant only a competitive festival could bring forth.

It was that something “extra,” which old timers will remember from past festivals. From the point of audience appeal, the competitive festivals drew much more because of the interest people naturally have in a contest between young groups for excellence in their chosen field of musical art.

Searching for appropriate awards for contest winners, SSF Secretary, Vlajko Lugonja, prevailed upon Mrs. Barbara Pupin Smith to donate a silver cup in memory of her father, inventor Mihajlo Pupin, who was a lover of choral singing and an admirer of the SSF movement. The first prize winner gained possession of the coveted Michael Pupin Memorial Cup, a masterpiece of hand wrought English sterling silver valued then at $1,500.00. The male choirs competed for the Nikola Perazich Cup and the girls’ choirs for a cup donated by the Serbian Womens’ organizations.

The “Pupin Cup” quickly became the envied symbol that all choirs strived to obtain . Professor Alexander Savine, the internationally famous composer and choral director, whose able and patient tutoring of the younger generation of singers of “Branko Radichevich” brought this group to the foreground of Chicagoland singing choirs. They won the highest honors, winning the SSF National Championship both at the 1936 and the 1938 Festivals. In 1940, Cleveland’s “Njegosh” Choir won the National Championship and the right to the “Pupin Cup” for a year.

The SSF wisely discontinued competitive festivals because many singers went away disappointed.

It was decided to “sing for the glory of God and the honor of our people,” believing that if a choir of 30-40 singers was able to make a 200-300 mile trip, that was award enough.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

THE SSF TRADITION CONTINUES

A great CD produced for the 72nd Anniversary

The tradition of choir concerts has continued to remain a stronghold within the SSF.

Choirs annually sponsor a concert inviting another distant SSF member choir to be their weekend guests.  It is here that Serbian hospitality, music, and song are united to establish life-long friendships among singers.

Choirs anticipate with great enthusiasm the invitation to be the guests of another member choir. 

Most important to the success of any choir, is its choir director. Recognizing the fact that the directors of all member choirs are important, a history of the SSF would not be complete without naming those who have achieved and contributed to the national SSF scene, namely:

Adam N. Popovich; Siobodan Zelich; Nada Milosevich; Nikola Resanovic; V. Rev. Milan Markovina; V. Rev. Sava Vujkov; Alexander Savine; Boris Dobrovolsky; V. Rev. Dr. Milan G. Popovich; V. Rev. Milan Bajich; Milan Medich; Milutin Lazich, Dr. Rick Zivic, and Milan Damljanovich.

In addition to the supreme directing talents of these choral directors, and most importantly, many have functioned as a composer and provided many choral compositions for our member choirs. 

America’s Bicentennial did not go by unnoticed, as choirs from coast to coast participated in Bicentennial concerts.

Of notable accomplishment in the Midwest were Milwaukee’s S.S.S. Stevan Sijacki and South Chicago’s S.S.S. Sloboda who combined in a musical extravaganza to perform Ljubomir Bosnjakovich’s cantata “Albanska Golgota,” among other compositions. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Civic Orchestra cooperated in providing orchestral accompaniment to the two concert programs.

In the East, the Petar Krstich Serbian Choir of Steubenville, Ohio likewise celebrated the Bicentennial with a grand performance of the “Albanska Golgota.” 

The SSF returned to the city of Akron, Ohio for the Bicentennial Festival that drew a record number of choirs, participants and spectators. The Stevan Hristich Serbian Choir of Phoenix, Arizona sacrificed over $8,000 to make the trip to Akron, accepting the SSF’s invitation to be the coveted Honored Church Choir for the festival, and the first Western choir to appear at an SSF festival. 

Saturday’s concert was held in the new and modern St. Archangel Michael Serbian Hall, while Sunday’s concert was held in the beautiful and spacious performing arts building of the University of Akron.

Mrs. Sophia Papich, Festival Guest Soloist entertained concert-goers at the Sunday performance in her special style that has acclaimed her among the best of Serbian soloists.

The festival “piece de resistance” was the rendering of Bosnjakovich’s “Albanska Golgota” by the Petar Krstich Serbian Choir of Steubenville, Ohio. 

As the nation paid tribute to its Founding Father, the Serbian Singing Federation likewise honored its Founder, Vlajko M. Lugonja.

A gala, grand testimonial sponsored by the S.S.S. Ravanica was held in his honor at the Hillcrest Country Club in suburban Detroit. Singers gathered from many choirs and colonies to pay tribute to their Founder. 

In failing health, Vladimir M. Lugonja, Founder of the Serbian Singing Federation and perhaps the greatest Serbian/American youth leader in the history of Serbs on this continent, died on Tuesday, September 27, 1977.

He is buried at the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery Cemetery in Libertyville, Illinois. Today the efforts and wisdom of this capable and dedicated man can be credited as being the prime factor in whatever success the Serbian Singing Federation has attained.

His influence still is felt in the Serbian Singing Federation, our Serbian Orthodox Church and in other Serbian organizations.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SSF – LEAVE A HERITAGE OF SONG


The greatest wealth of the Serbian Singing Federation is in its Library, comprising the works of 96 Serbian composers with thousands of musical scores, many in their original hand-written manuscript form. It has been said that the Federation’s library is more complete than any Serbian music collection in the world.


The publishing of Serbian choral compositions is an important aspect of the Serbian Singing Federation. Close to 200 compositions have been published which are furnished gratis to member choirs.

Publication costs are often defrayed by donations from individuals and/or organizations that contribute toward the publication of a musical composition.

In keeping withthe times, we have scanned our published works and have categorized them in a database, available to our choirs on the SSF website .
Although many individuals have lent assistance in the necessary pre-publication tasks, we are extremely grateful to +Dragie Cucujlevich Zuzuly of South Chicago; +V. Rev . Milan Markovina of Milwaukee; Dr. Nikola Resanovic of Akron; and Milan Damljanovic of Cleveland deserve special recognition and tribute. Their time, efforts, and talents are responsible for a great many of the SSF publications, namely:
A composite book of responses to the Divine Liturgy. Affectionately referred to as the “green book,” by singers, this composite Liturgy is still in use and demand by many choirs today and necessitated a reprinting in recent yearsThe “Badnjak” book, a composite of Christmas hymns and carolsThe English LiturgyThe Dusan Kotur LiturgyThe Stevan Sijacki LiturgyThe Isidor Bajich LiturgyA composite book of Nikola Resanovic’s “Fifteen Sastavs”.


The greatest stride forward for the SSF during the last three decades has been the establishment of a permanent Headquarters and Library.

A fund raising campaign was begun to solicit funds for the purpose of purchasing a permanent home and adding to the Library everything available in Serbian music, either published, copied, or photocopied, for the perpetuation of our heritage and song in all its various forms.

In 1984, with the approval of the Convention in South Cr1icago, a lifelong dream came true when a building was purchased at 26356 John R Road , Madison Heights, Michigan. The move into the new building occurred on November 30, 1984 and the Serbian Singing Federation had its home. The donations of countless numbers of churches, organizations and individuals, including SSF Great Benefactor, +William Tyirinof Cincinnati , Ohio, enabled the SSF to pay off the mortgage on its Headquarters building in two years.