Protection of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church

09/01/2026

Reminder for all PTVM families that would like to register your children for this upcoming year's Sunday School. We will provide Sunday School for ages 2 through 18 (we have added an extra class, Glory to God!). However, everyone needs to be signed up no later than Sunday, September 6th.

The purpose of Protection of the Virgin Mary (PTVM) Church School is to nurture our children in the living of their Orthodox Faith. Through the study of the life of Christ, we lay a foundation that enables them to live as faithful Orthodox Christians — going out into the world to share their faith

09/01/2026

Blessed Church New Year to you!
Please check out the link below for our parish events and services in September.

08/30/2026

Please register on this link (no later than 9/6/2026) if your children are joining us for this upcoming Sunday School year (starting September 13, 2026).

Please reach out to our Synday School Director, Elizabeth Wysocki for any questions.

Please click the link to complete this form.

08/27/2026

Dear Faithful,

As announced in Church, our parishioner Natalie Orloff, who has been shut-in for some years, passed away on Sunday morning. Her obituary is linked below. Her viewing will be at the Church this Sunday from 2pm until the Panakhida at 5:30pm. The funeral is Monday at 10am, followed by burial at PTVM cemetery. May her memory be eternal!

https://www.geisenfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Natalie-W-Orloff?obId=49382150

In Christ,

Fr Jacob

View Natalie W. Orloff's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/15/2026

ATTENTION PTVM FAMILY:

Our church has power and all services will continue this weekend as planned.

After Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 16th, we will have a full coffee hour: complete meal, coffee, and our annual ice cream social.

If you have any urgent needs or prayer requests, please reach out.

P.S. we are without WiFi as of today and unable to livestream until further notice.

08/12/2026

Dear Faithful,

The discussion this evening at St Saba on Spiritual Fatherhood has been cancelled because of storm damage. We will still serve the Supplication at our parish tonight at 6pm and pray for all those affected. So far, I have heard of only minor damage to property among our parishioners, although many have lost power. The church building was unaffected, although we did lose a couple of trees. If anyone needs help of any sort, including simply a place to refresh if you are without power and/or water, please let me know. We have parishioners who have already volunteered their homes.

Also, Fr Howard Sloan's obituary has been posted. Visitation is this Friday with funeral on Saturday at Sts Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Palos Park, IL.

https://www.hillsfh.com/obituary/very-rev-howard-sloan

In Christ,

Fr Jacob

The Very Reverend Howard Earl Sloan, age 79, at rest August 7, 2026. Beloved husband for 58 years of Michaelyn Sloan ne Korda Loving father of Anjelica Megan Sloan, Leah Sloan Jose Aguilar, Gabriel Sloan, and Luke Sloan Cherished grandfather of Sawyer, Grady, Isabela, Olivia, Sofia, and Gianna Belov...

08/09/2026

08/08/2026

Did you know that you can catch our services live on YouTube if you are sick or out of the area? Just subscribe and you will get notifications.

Protection of the Virgin Mary (PTVM) Orthodox Church is a parish of the Diocese of the Midwest, in the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), serving Northwest Indiana since 1911. Our parish is located in Merrillville, Indiana.

08/08/2026

LOTS of services and events happening this month at PTVM! Please check our calendar~