A Serbian Orthodox Home in Phoenix
Tucked into a quiet block on East McKinley Street east of downtown Phoenix, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church is a parish of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of America and Canada and one of the city's oldest continuous Orthodox congregations. The current church building, completed in 1974, sits behind an arched portico that welcomes worshippers into a sanctuary built for the chanting, incense, and iconography of Orthodox tradition. Beyond the church, a parish hall and a separate cultural center house classrooms, offices, a library, and spaces for the many groups that make up parish life.
Founded in 1958 by a small circle of Serbian immigrant families, St. Sava has grown into a community of several hundred worshippers who gather each Sunday for the Divine Liturgy. On major feast days such as Pascha and Christmas, thousands of Orthodox faithful from across the Phoenix valley fill the church, drawn by a parish known for warm hospitality, deep liturgical tradition, and a calendar full of cultural events.
From Hall to Sanctuary: The Story of the Parish
St. Sava began in 1958 as a gathering of devoted Serbian Orthodox families who wanted to preserve their faith and pass it to the next generation. Three years later, in 1961, the parish built its first building - a church hall that served as the worship space, community center, and site for the fundraising dinners that would eventually fund a permanent home. By 1974, the current church was complete, and the hall took on a new role supporting parish life. An expansion in 1983 added room for Church School classes.
Growth continued through the following decades. In 1997 the parish broke ground on a new building dedicated to religious education. Completed and consecrated in 2000, the St. Sava Cultural Center now houses Church School classrooms, the church offices, and a parish library. The buildings stand together on the McKinley Street property as a physical record of a community that has steadily invested in both worship and formation.
The Sunday Divine Liturgy
Sunday is the center of the week at St. Sava. Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 AM and lasts about 90 minutes. The service is celebrated in Church Slavonic, Serbian, and English, allowing longtime Serbian-American parishioners, younger English-speaking families, and visitors to follow the prayers together. Worship follows the full Orthodox liturgical tradition, with the choir leading the congregation in sacred hymnody, the Gospel proclaimed from the center of the church, and Holy Communion distributed to baptized Orthodox Christians who have prepared through prayer, fasting, and recent confession.
Non-Orthodox visitors are warmly welcomed to attend and participate in the Liturgy; the parish simply asks that those not in communion with the Orthodox Church refrain from receiving the Eucharist. Anyone with questions is encouraged to speak with the priest after the service.
Immediately after the dismissal, the community gathers in the Parish Hall for Coffee Hour - a relaxed time of coffee, a light lunch, and conversation that visitors often cite as the easiest way to get to know the parish.
Preparing for a Visit
The parish has published a visitor's guide that covers the practical questions a first-time guest might have. Modest, respectful attire is encouraged: women typically wear dresses or skirts knee-length or longer with shoulders covered, and men wear slacks with a collared shirt. Free parking is available on site, and visitors are asked to enter under the arched portico.
Children are an important part of the parish family. They are welcome to stay with parents throughout the service, and Sunday School is offered during Divine Liturgy for those who would like to participate. Visitors who would like a fuller orientation can also reach the church office, open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, by phone at (602) 275-7360 or by email at stsavaphx@gmail.com.
Church School and Serbian Language Classes
The Sunday School at St. Sava offers children and youth a welcoming space to grow in their Orthodox faith, learn the traditions of the Church, and build friendships across generations. Classes meet every Sunday at 10:00 AM during Divine Liturgy, allowing parents and children to share the rhythm of the morning. Serbian language classes are offered alongside the religious curriculum so that children can stay connected to their cultural and linguistic heritage. The program is coordinated by Sunday School Superintendent Tanja Gudovic.
The Stevan Hristich Choir
Sacred music is at the heart of Orthodox worship, and at St. Sava that ministry is carried by the S.S.S. Stevan Hristich Choir. Made up of faithful members of the parish, the choir rehearses regularly and sings at the Divine Liturgy and at feast-day services throughout the church year. Their work supports the liturgical life of the parish and lifts the prayers of the congregation, fulfilling the calling described by St. Paul in Colossians 3:16 - "teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." The choir also maintains its own presence online at stevanhristich.com.
The Gavrilo Princip Folklore Group
Serbian culture has always lived alongside the parish's spiritual life, and the Gavrilo Princip Folklore Ensemble is one of the most visible expressions of that bond. The youth dance group, open to children and young adults, is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Serbian music and dance. Members perform at parish events including the annual SerbFest each November and travel to other Serbian Orthodox communities across the United States, building friendships that extend well beyond Phoenix. Dance practice is held on Sundays following Church School, in the Church Hall and Cultural Center.
The Circle of Serbian Sisters
Founded in 1962, just a few years after the parish itself, the Circle of Serbian Sisters (Kolo Srpskih Sestara) is a women's organization that has been a cornerstone of parish life for more than six decades. The Kolo supports the church through fundraising, volunteer work, and direct service to the liturgical life of the parish, helping preserve Serbian Orthodox traditions across generations. The local chapter welcomes all women of the parish - including those who belong to a Kolo elsewhere and spend part of the year in Arizona. The current Kolo President is Diane Wittenburg.
St. Sava Seniors
The St. Sava Seniors group is open to all parishioners aged 50 and up and is one of the most active fellowships in the parish. Members gather on the fourth Sunday of each month for a meeting and a coffee hour or luncheon following Divine Liturgy, and the group hosts an annual Christmas Luncheon along with other outings during the year. The Seniors are a particularly welcoming point of entry for newcomers who want to become part of the parish community.
SerbFest: A November Tradition
Each November, the parish hosts SerbFest, an annual Serbian cultural festival that brings food, music, dance, and community life to the McKinley Street campus and beyond. The festival draws on every corner of the parish - the choir sings, the Gavrilo Princip Folklore Ensemble performs, the Kolo and Seniors help with food service, and visitors from across the Phoenix valley come to experience Serbian hospitality. The event has become one of the best-known expressions of St. Sava's mission to share its heritage with the wider community.
The Garden of St. Sava
Beyond the main campus, the parish maintains a sacred resting place at Mountain View Cemetery in Mesa. Known as the Garden of St. Sava, this dedicated section of the cemetery is reserved for Orthodox individuals and is described by the parish as serene and beautifully maintained - a peaceful setting rooted in the faith and tradition of the community. Families interested in learning more about available plots can reach out to the parish priest through the church office.
Hall Rental and Parish Hospitality
The church hall, with elegant chandeliers and warm lighting, accommodates up to 300 guests and is available for weddings, baptisms, anniversaries, and other meaningful occasions. It also serves as the gathering space for Coffee Hour after Sunday Liturgy and for many of the parish's fellowship events throughout the year. Inquiries about rentals can be directed to the church office.
Clergy and Parish Leadership
The parish is served by Very Reverend Father Dragomir Tuba, who leads Divine Services, spiritual guidance, and the sacramental life of the parish. Father Janko Trbovic, the parish's retired priest, continues to assist with services and remains an important part of parish life. Deacon Dusan Djordjev, newly ordained, assists in Divine Services and supports the sacramental and liturgical life of the community.
An elected Parish Council works alongside the priest to oversee church operations, finances, and property, and to support the spiritual, liturgical, and everyday life of the parish. The Executive Board, Members at Large, and Auditing Committee are drawn from among the parish's own members and serve as volunteers.
Becoming Part of the Parish
All Orthodox Christians are welcome to become members of St. Sava. Membership means participating in the life of the Church - attending Divine Liturgy, receiving the Sacraments, supporting the parish, and remaining active in parish life. Membership dues are per person rather than per household, and a one-time Membership Form is required. Forms can be printed and emailed to the parish office or dropped off at the Tutor's Desk on Sundays.
A Parish of Word, Sacrament, and Song
At St. Sava, every part of parish life flows from the Divine Liturgy celebrated each Sunday morning. Around that weekly rhythm the parish has built a full calendar of formation, fellowship, and cultural celebration - from Church School classrooms and Serbian language lessons, to choir rehearsals and folklore practice, to the long tables of Coffee Hour and the November festivities of SerbFest. It is a community shaped by Orthodox worship and Serbian tradition, and one that opens its doors to anyone who wishes to come and see the life of Christ in the Church.