HISTORY OF THE CIRCLE OF SERBIAN SISTERS
KOLO SRPSKE SESTARA “MALA GOSPOJINA”
St. George Serbian Orthodox Church
Cincinnati, Ohio
The First Kolo Established in the United States!
Milan and Darinka Mrvicin, with their children, came to Cincinnati from the city of Kikinda in Banat,Yugoslavia in 1910. Knowing the important work that the Kolo Sisters had done in his homeland, Milan Mrvicin organized the ladies in Cincinnati in a similar fashion. The first Kolo organized in the United States, the Circle was chartered by the State of Ohio in 1911. Darinka Mrvicin was elected the first President in 1912. The Sisters chose as their patron saint Mala Gospojin (Nativity of the Holy Virgin).
From its inception, the Circle of Serbian Sisters or Kolo Srpske Sestara (“KSS”) has been the backbone of the St. George Serbian Church, the supporting effort needed to accomplish the great things which have been accomplished in Cincinati’s rich 99 year Serbian history.To quote from a historical article in the National KSS 40th Anniversary Commemorative Book in 1986, “….Over the years, the (Cincinnati) Circle has purchased utensils and supplies for the church kitchen, donated monetarily to the church on special occasions such as Slava, Christmas, Easter and whenever a need presented itself, furnished the Sunday School with necessary supplies, promoted and supported the Diocesan Youth Camp Program coordinated by the National KSS, and sponsored monthly covered-dish dinners to earn monies to continue its work. These dedicated Sisters, at the same time, were Church members, sang in the Choir every Sunday and taught Sunday School.” In more recent times, the ladies of the KSS continue working in the very same ways to support the church, especially during the fundraising efforts for our new Social Hall. Since the September 1996 dedication of our Social Hall, through rummage sales, lunches and other events, the ladies of our KSS have donated more than $15,000 to the church in addition to paying for the new hall kitchen.The Sisters of Mala Gospojina Chapter look forward to continuing their work and dedication first established for them more than 95 years ago.Below is a partial list of some of the Sisters who have held offices during these many years. Our thanks to Katherine Zavisin, who joined the KSS in 1927, for this historical information. - Darinka Mrvichin Darinka SurenokBoyana Pavlova
- Kovinka Kosanovich Emelia Glesen Militza Stoyin
- Katherine ZavisinViola Stayin Rose Baker
- Dorothy Isaac Danica Kaprish Sophie Grujin
- Zora Dragichevich Maria PjanicViolet Palkovich
- Helen Tyirich Katherine Palkovich Ilich Kata Nikolich
- Elaine Snyder Kathy BabichLouise Miladinov
- Jennie Pjanic Angelina Grigorieff Helen Glesen
- Natalie Fowler Faye Dragon Jasmina Jovic
- Mirjana Popovich Mirjana Djokovic Nancy Helbich
- Jeannette Djokovic Milena Pjanic Davenport Asta Mishurda
2008 KSS Officers are as follows:
- Milena Pjanic Davenport - President
- Jasmina Jovic - Vice President
- Nancy Helbich - Secretary
- Mirjana Djokovic - Treasurer
In February of 2006, an“Honorary Member Program” was established. Any member who reaches the age of 85 years would automcally become an ary Member.HISTORY OF THE CIRCLE OF SERBIAN SISTERS,
MALA GOSPOJINA, OF THE ST. GEORGE SERBIAN EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH, CINCINNATI, OHIO
The First Kolo Established in the United States!Milan and Darinka Mrvicin, with their children, came to Cincinnati from Kikinda, Yugoslavia in 1910. Knowing the important work that the Kolo Sisters had done in his homeland, Milan Mrvichin organized the ladies of the St. George Serbian Church in Cincinnati in a similar fashion. The first Kolo organized in the United States, the Kolo was chartered by the State of Ohio in 1911. Darinka Mrvichin was elected the first President in 1912. The Sisters chose as their patron saint Mala Gospojina (Nativity of the Holy Virgin).From its inception, the Circle of Serbian Sisters, or Kolo Srpske Sestara (KSS) has been the backbone of the St. George Serbian Church, the supporting effort needed to accomplish the great things which have been accomplished in Cincinnati’s rich 99 year history. To quote from a historical article in the National KSS 40th Anniversary Commemorative Book in 1986, “…..Over the years, the (Cincinnati) Circle has purchased utensils and supplies for the church kitchen , donated monetarily to the church on special occasions such as Slava, Christmas, Easter and whenever a need presented itself, furnished the Sunday School with necessary supplies, promoted and supported the Federation’s Summer Children’s Camps, and sponsored monthly covered-dish dinners to earn monies to continue its work. These dedicated Sisters, at the same time, were Church members, sang in the Choir and taught Sunday School.”Below is a partial list of some of the Sisters who have held offices during these 97 years. Our thanks to Katherine Zavisin, who joined the KSS in 1927, for this historical information.Darinka Mrvichin Darinka Surenok Boyana Pavlova
Darinka Surenok Boyana Pavlova Kovinka Kosanovich Emelia Glesen Militza Stoyin
Militza StoyinKatherine Zavisin Viola StayinRose Baker
Viola StayinRose BakerDorothy IsaacDanica Kaprish Sophie Grujin
Danica Kaprish Sophie GrujinZora Dragichevich Maria PjanicViolet Palkovich
Maria PjanicViolet PalkovichHelen Tyirich Katherine Palkovich Ilich Kata Nikolich
Katherine Palkovich Ilich Kata NikolichElaine SnyderKathy Babich Louise Miladinov
Kathy Babich Louise MiladinovJennie Pjanic Angelina Grigorieff Helen Glesen
Angelina Grigorieff Helen GlesenNatalie FowlerFaye Dragon Jasmina Jovic
Faye Dragon Jasmina JovicMirjana Popovich Mirjana Djokovic Nancy Helbich
Mirjana Djokovic Nancy HelbichJeannette DjokovicMilena Pjanic Davenport Asta Mishurda
Milena Pjanic Davenport Asta MishurdaIn more recent times, the ladies of the KSS have continued working in the very same way to support the church, especially during the fundraising efforts for the New Social Hall built in 1996. Since that time, the ladies of the KSS have donated more than $15,000 to the Church.The Sisters of Mala Gospojina Chapter look forward to continuing the dedication that was established for them more than 97 years ago. They will succeed in the future as they have succeeded in the past.2008 KSS OfficersPresident -Milena Pjanic DavenportVice President-Jasmina JovicSecretary -Nancy HelbichTreasurer -Mirjana Djokovic
KSS / Коло Српских Сестара
Mrs. Katherine Zavisin
the oldest living Kolo member in the U.S.
“ KSS Presidents’ Visit to Cincinnati, May, 2006
KSS National President, Mirjana Andjelkovic, and Midwest Region President, Slavka Fager, visited the very first KSS organized in the U.S., “Mala Gospojina,” of St. George Church in Cincinnati, Ohio for the celebration of their Slava in May, 2006.They were welcomed by the then-KSS President, Jeannette Djokovic; Church President, Cedomir Djokovic; and Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Petar Petrovic, along with all their KSS members and church parishioners.The Presidents’ visit was to honor and celebrate Mrs. Katherine Zavisin who, at 96, is the oldest living Kolo member in the U.S. KSS “Mala Gospojina” was established in 1911, and Mrs. Zavisin became a member in 1927.In recognition of Mrs. Zavisin’s long years of service to her church and KSS, Mirjana and Slavka presented her with a GRAMMATA from His Grace, Bishop Longin, and two beautiful icons from the National KSS.An Honorary Member of “Mala Gospojina,” Mrs. Zavisin now lives in a retirement community. Her daughter, Elaine Snyder, and son, James Zavisin, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren were on hand to share in her delight at her honor. She is truly an outstanding example of the work and dedication of charter members of KSS and has our appreciation and gratitude for her commitment.”Helga Nikolic (Sept. 14, 2007) “
PICTURE 2008 KSS OFFICERS
FIRST KSS IN AMERICA - ПРВО КОЛО СЕСТАРА
ПРВО КОЛО СЕСТАРА У АМЕРИЦИ
Mrs. Katherine Zavisin - Катарина Завишин
Receiving GRAMATA from Bishop Longin
