Serbian History 101

"Ko pjeva, zlo ne misli!"

(He who sings, thinks no evil!") 

From a shirt made by Chee-Chee Czubek of Johnstown, PA!  It looks like our girl wants to direct the songs shown below!

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Olga Markovich (Toronto, Canada) wrote a review about Alexander Petrov's book KAO ZLATO U VATRI (LIKE GOLD IN FIRE, published in 1998) in the Glas Kanadskik Srba newspaper, about the South Side Serbs of Pittsburgh.

 "Petrov describes authentically American-Serb life in America.  A long section is devoted to the history of the Serb National Federation, but he also describes Pittsburgh Serbs of today---third and fourth generation American Serbs--with great affection and feeling, and there are many passages which brought sentimental tears to the eyes of this reader.  In the words of Aleksandar Petrov, 'Nowhere is the Serbian kolo danced as in America.  Young American kids-'srpcici and srpkinje' in their churches first learn to pray to God and then to dance the kolo.  I listen to them and remember Hajduk Veljko's words, "Glavu dajem, Krainu ne dajem' (I give my head, but not the Krajina)!   They left their Krajina or better stated, they carried it across the sea as a wound in their souls.  They have forgotten the Serbian language, except when they sing and pray.  But each one of them could say, 'glavu dajem, a crkvu ne dajem' (my head I give, but my church, never').  Also, 'glavu dajem, a srpstvo ne dajem' (my head I give, but Serbdom never').  Serbdom to them is part of their church--and the Serbian kolo and Serbian song are a part of Serbdom."

This is a true picture of life for the American Serbs in Pittsburgh.  I can attest to all of it.  Our grandparents made us remember..... No, not remember, but to LOVE it and embrace it with all of our hearts and souls.  He's right.  We speak Serbian very poorly, but the church, customs, songs and dancing are all there, burning as strongly within us now as our grandparents' and great-grandparents' fire, zeal and love for their Serbian Orthodox heritage.

Petrov learned that while the Serbs in Serbia sometimes took things for granted, or "pooh-poohed" beliefs and long-held customs as being "peasant-village" stuff, the Serbs from the Krajina areas were always on guard, defending their Orthodox religion and Serbian heritage. These Serbs came from a land surrounded on all sides by "neprijatelji" -- those who always wanted to take it away from them. They held on tight. This accounts for all the reasons why we hold so many things very dear and near to our hearts.

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Some posters from Holy Trinity S.O.Cathedral Serbs celebrating their 100th Anniversary in Pittsburgh:

No One Has What the Serb Has!

Note the Banner at the bottom- "Happy Birthday Uncle Simo," (UNCLE SAM!) from the Serbs of America! from 1976.

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"Come to your Census, Serbs!"

So many Serbian Americans weren't counted in the older census counts as they were listed as being "Hungarians, Austrians, or Croatians" because they came from the Srpska Krajina part of the Serbian Militaire Kordun or Serbian Miliary Frontier in what was the former Austro-Hungarian Empire or afterwards, the "Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes." Because they were always being squeezed to religiously convert to Catholicism, the Serbs held fast to their Serbian Orthodox heritage, jealously guarding it down through the ages.

Many of the Pittsburgh area Serbian pioneer families came from the Lika and Kordun areas in what is now called Croatia. 

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 The CHURCH, the Serb National Federation and the Serbian Singing Federation played a very important role in keeping the Serbs together through the various Church holidays and fraternal activities.  There are many other worthy organizations also, like the Serb National Defense, the Serbian Unity Congress, the International Organization of Christian Charities, etc.

Andja is seen far right, back row in this 1930 photo.  These ladies loved America, but they also loved and PROTECTED their Serbian heritage, as witnessed by the name of their lodge:  "Majka Jugovica," the Mothers of the Jugovichs, (Jug Bogdan and his 9 sons who fought with Czar Lazar on the Battlefield in 1389!)

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This is the middle of a scene from the 1st National Youth Conference sponsored by the Serb National Federation.  Recognize any people you know? 

Most of them are long gone, but oh, the memories we have of them!

All of the people above used to sing this song

"Ja sam sirota"

Thanks to Steve Kozabarich of Cleveland for sharing! Steve has a wonderful blog on old records.

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A tribute to King Alexander and all those who have gone before.  Famous print on display at SNF headquarters in Pittsburgh.

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+Nick / +Jenny M., beloved members of Holy Trinity!

 +Teta Boya was probably 102 or 103 here.  She was only a few days shy of her 105th birthday when she passed.  EVERYBODY loved her!

Here's the Czar Lazar Chorus singing in Aliquippa.  The choir is made up mostly of members from various Pittsburgh Serbian Orthodox Church Choirs.  Their director is Marco Doncic, a very gifted tenor too!

 ....and below, we have the Kosovo Men's Choir from Ohio singing on the Boat Ride during Pittsburgh's 3 Day, 2007!  Their director is Dr. Rick Zivic.  The Choir toured all of Serbia in August, 2008, and I was lucky enough to go with them! :-)

Here's a song that brings backs memories of a lost one.... "Na Te Mislim" or.... "I think of you when the dawn breaks through, I think of you when the day is finished...."  Serbs are VERY romantically poetic in their writings.

 Many choirs opening up the  Sunday program at Aliquippa's St. Elijah's for the 67th SSF Festival!

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You can't go wrong with learning this song about King Peter's Royal Guardsmen!  Sing it, and I GUARANTEE you, your Babas and Djedos will love you!  It's an old Mamula family favorite!

Marsirala, Marsirala (YouTube) <---click here

Mamula Crest from Emanuel Mamula, Major of the Military Frontier, by King Leopold II.

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The old-timers love to sing this one.........

Vinka (Cleveland) and Popovich Brothers (Chicago) on Stage at an outdoor picnic. They were always a hit when they visited Pittsburgh

Steve's Blog about Vinka & her songs<----here

(Don't forget to come back!)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Talk about ROMANTIC!  Wow!  The cold dawn is blowing through the fields while night is falling on the land.... and a tear is coming from my eye, because you have to leave me.  Don't go... don't go, stay here with me...the one blessing of my heart.... 

 These songs were frequently played on the Serbian Radio Hours in Pittsburgh.  One of the most famous hosts was George (Bozic) Bowes.  Here's a story about his family in the SRBOBRAN.

What a family!  Always working for the Serbs!

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Some Pittsburgh "3-Day" highlights from 1995.  we always have a good time of fellowship young & old!

Pgh. Serb meets Windsor Serb-Instant Friends!

It's a great time!  So many of these have already passed on in such a short time, like Laura and Unki, but they'll be forever immortalized here.  8.17.05 Srbobran of Pittsburgh's 3-Day!

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 His Royal Highness Prince Aleksandar and Princess Katherine are greeted outside the steps of the American Serbian Club on the South Side, Pgh., PA.

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Past Presidents of Holy Trinity Church are honored.

+Nick Stone is in the first row, far right.  He was noted for singing "Hadjuk Velko" for the Philip Visnich Choir.  While we don't have Nick singing his popular solo, we do have an old recording of the Jorgovan Orchestra singing the words to the song, thanks to Steve Kozabasich in Cleveland!

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I remember all these wonderful Babas like I could feel their warmth today, and yet all of them are long gone.  Here they are, working for WWII relief for the Serbian war orphans.  These ladies were so KIND and wonderful.  They'd do ANYTHING for you.  They were ALL your Babas and Tetas.  Teta Mileva, Teta Boya, Teta Mary, etc.  Oh, they were good! 

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It's so great being Serbian!

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Simo Verlinich, President, Mile Trbovich, Secretary--

Authorized by the Congregational Committee of the S. George Servian orthodox Church to solicit subscriptions for the erection and purchase of a Church Building on the corner of Sixteenth and Roland Streets, on the South Side, Pittsburgh, PA. 

And here are the ladies of that same St. George Church in 1944, for Mother's Day......

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 Dr. Natalie Pavlovich, former Nursing Professor from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, holds a wedding photo of her parents.  All of Pittsburgh was proud of Natalie's and her late sister Martha's educational accomplishments in the medical field. 

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Hail, hail, the gang's all here!  Ready to board!

Dancing away....

Beautiful folks all around! Paul, Jana & Anthony

Good times after the boat ride too!  Wedding soon!

Pittsburgh, Monroeville, and Steelton!

More good Steelton-Oberlin folks! Great people!

The Balach family was out in full force to support their father when  he was awarded his "Distinguished  Service Award 2008" from the SNF!

Great shirt seen at Pgh 3-Day 

The Serb National Federation printed Song Books for the enjoyment of their members. 

The Serbian Singing Federation, established by Vlajko Lugonja, was a way for all of the Serbian choirs from throughout the country to get together for Festivals and other happy occasions.  Many a time the singers could be heard singing, "Kazi Leno, Koga Volis," --- tell me Lena, who do you love?

 

  Our Serbian get-togethers are alive with music and song, 
uplifted joy and happiness.

Steelton-Oberlin, PA Choir!

"Sedi Mara" was another popular favorite.  Danny Kukich worked tirelessly to include these songs in the SRBOBRAN every week for the "Song of the Week" column, as attested to by the photo below!

SRBOBRAN readers faithfully cut the songs out of the paper each week in the 1970's. Thank you, Danny, this way we ALL learned the words!

Milana Capuzzi & Baba Ann Kukich

MORE SONGS to stimulate your memory! 

And another.  When son Nick was two or three  years old, he used to melt his mother's heart with this song!  "Ka-zi, Len-o, ko-ga-vol-is?"

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Remember this one? My Aunt Marty always sang this one to me when I was young, and then, to my son.  I can still hear her beautiful voice now, even though she's singing in Heaven!  "Ja Nekoga Volim!  Ja Nekoga ljubim!"

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Do you know these ladies?

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These people from Kitchener, Ontario, enjoyed the singing at Sunday's church services in Aliquippa, PA while here for the 67th Annual Serbian Singing Federation Festival:

Detroit -75th Anniversary SSF

The Pupin Cup

They all came to Pittsburgh at one time and wowed their audiences!

We start 'em YOUNG!

Cleveland was host here in this 1941 Concert!

 Board history of Sloboda

Recognize the incredible art by Adam Popovich?

The Maestro himself! Ladies & gentlemen:  Adam Popovich!

These three VERY TALENTED young Aliquippa  singers help insure our future SSF concerts will continue!

Always a good time is had with Sokoli Orchestra from Lackawanna!  They know all the songs shown here, and everybody loves to sing along!

Aren't THESE ladies lucky?

Philip Visnich Choir & Father  Velimir Kovacevich, now Metropolitan Christopher.

 We all loved Fr. Savich too!

 

Fr. Vel made the front page Dec. 28, 1958, for this  Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph story about Pittsburgh-a community enriched by many heritages.

 Metropolitan Christopher and his family at the Galveston Reunion, 2008!

Here's Nick and Unvle Paul Kovachevich.... he's the one on the far right in the youngster photo above! 

Church President Rudley Mrvos & V. Rev. Fr. Filipovich at  Pittsburgh Holy Trinity's (St. George's & St. Sava's) 100th Celebration.

His Grace, Dr. Bishop Mitrofan officiating

And the Responders!  Holy Trinity Choir directed by Bob Topich.

Here are the Noodle Ladies who raised money for  their church by unselfishly giving of the time, talents & treasures.  We are reaping what they have sown, and we want to keep it going!  Forever!

Mike Milan always worked VERY hard for his Holy Trinity Church, including many years as President.

+Nick Stone & + Eli Popovich  at Kennywood

Sally Stone and Robbie at his first  "3-Day" in Pittsburgh.

 

These 3 young SNF ladies were raising money for USA  War Bonds in 1942!  Veda Jorkich, Ana Pekich, and Martha  Stone.  They're holding a photo of Cica Draza Mihailovich, who was acclaimed by the whole world as Hitler's #1 headache!

+Stipanovich-+Karlo-Mamula

We were always proud of our 

"Baba,  did you tell how Dane was the General Manager of KDKA too?"

 

2008  3-Day Weekend!

"I need 5 tickets, please!"

Mamulas all! Bobiks/Beloshs

Incredible Mileva Bozic Medin, at age 88, came all the way from Louisiana via plane by herself, to be part of Kennywood's 91st Serbian Day! She also donated $100 to the SNF Fraternal Fund!

Kolo dancing with Teti Mim xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxox

The Czar Lazar Chorus sings "Mnogaja Ljeta!" to Steve Balach, recipient of the SNF Distinguished Service Award for  2008!