Funeral of Rev. Bob Hitching
Rev. Robert Ian Hitching, our dear Bob, finished his earthly race on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, and went back home to his heavenly Father. Rev. Bob worked as a missionary among the Roma for over 30 years. He was the founder of the organization Roma Bible Union. He was ordained a deacon of the Reformed Episcopal Church in Croatia on September 2, 2018, and a presbyter on September 29, 2019, by the hands of Bishop Jasmin Milić. Likewise, he was the pastor of the Roma parish in Kapelna. His life was dedicated to service to God and the people.
He was buried on August 28, 2024, in Šikloš, Hungary near the Croatian border.
Ecumenical Relations
On August 16, Đuro Varga was consecrated as a bishop in the Reformed Christian Church of Hungarians in Croatia. On that occasion, Bishop Jasmin Milić delivered a sermon in Croatian.
In Ilok, a city in the east of Croatia, Bishop Jasmin Milić participated in the service of the blessing of the iconostasis of the Orthodox Church, and on that occasion he met with Bishop Vasilije, who is the bishop for this parish.
In September, Bishop Jasmin Milić participated in the central celebration of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Croatia based on the memorial of the World War II victims. On that occasion, he received an award from Bishop Jovan Ćulibrek for his contribution to the renovation of the Bishop’s library in Pakrac, where Bishop Jovan’s seat is located.
Bishop Jasmin Milić and deacon Sergej Beuk participated in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Belgrade Archdiocese, in Belgrade, Serbia, on September 17, 2024. At the solemn mass on the occasion of this significant jubilee, the President and Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia were also present, and the mass was led by the State Secretary of the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin together with Belgrade Archbishop Ladislav Nemet and other bishops and priests.
Serbia – Belgrade
On September 28, 2024, a service was held in Belgrade led by Bishop Jasmin Milić. On this occasion, Bishop Milić’s Lenten and Easter Sermons book was also promoted. These are the 14 books of Bishop Milić, the first of which is in the Serbian language (the others are in the Croatian language).
Reformation Sunday in Zagreb and Osijek
In Zagreb, a joint service was held with the believers of the Global Methodist Church. The service was led by Canon Almir Pehlić together with the presiding pastor of the Global Methodist Church. On this occasion, Canon Almir appointed Dragan Tomašević as lay reader of the parish in Zagreb.
On Reformation Sunday, a solemn evening service was held in Osijek. The service was led and preached by Bishop Jasmin Milić with the participation of the clergy of our church, as well as the clergy of other Christian churches. The parish priests of the Old Catholic Church as well as the Orthodox Church addressed the faithful.
Bible study in Karlovac
Reformed Episcopal Church in Karlovac is continuing its Bible classes. Every week, the faithful gather for a Bible lesson from the Book of Revelation. Canon Almir Pehlić (ThD) is leading the congregants through the Book, with the emphasis on the liturgical and echatological reality of the Scripture. This gathering is also an outreach for the church. People confused with the world events are eager to learn more about the biblical eschatology in the context of current world affairs.
New book by Canon Almir Pehlić
Canon Almir Pehlić is a Croatian writer and a poet. His new book “Ponoćni grad” (The Midnight Town) was published in September with positive reviews. A short book tour will be held after Christmas. This is his third book of poetry. Canon Almir is already writing his next theological book on Eucharist and Marburg Colloquy.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP THE MISSION WORK IN CROATIA AND SERBIA, ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT TO BE OUR PARTNERS IN ESTABLISHING CHURCHES, CONTACT US AT bishop.jmilic@gmail.com
Our clergy and lay ministers
Rt. Rev. Jasmin Milić, PhD, received his master’s degree (MTh) and doctorate (PhD) at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek. He is the author of 13 books, and ministers as the rector of parishes in Osijek and Tordinci and a Church planter in Belgrade (Serbia). Likewise, he taught at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, where he also worked for a time as the Dean for External Studies, and at the Protestant Theological Faculty in Novi Sad (Serbia), where he worked as the Academic Dean. For over 20 years, he taught religious education in two state (public) schools, and for ten years hosted the radio show “Sources of Faith”, which was broadcast on over 20 radio stations throughout Croatia.
Rev. Canon Almir Pehlić, ThD, completed his BTh at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek and received his master’s degree (MDiv) and doctorate (ThD) at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek. He is the rector of the churches in Karlovac and Zagreb and a church planter in Split. Also, he is the academic dean and a lecturer at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary. In 2022, he published his second book of poetry.
Rev. Damir Sitar, MDiv, completed his studies at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek (MTh) and at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek (MDiv). Also holds B.A. in Pedagogy degree from University of Osijek. He is the priest of the Romani parish in Kapelna, and serves as the president of our humanitarian organization PASTIR (Protestant Samaritan Work). Likewise, he also works as an Educator at the Center for Youth Education.
Rev. Nenad Adžić, MDiv, completed the study of Economics and BTh at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek and MDiv at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek. He is the Assistant pastor in Tordinci, and is employed at the tax service and serves the church part-time. Also, he is the editor of the very influential Christian website Novi Život (New Life).
Deacon Sergej Beuk, ThD, completed the study of Pedagogy (BA) at the Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo and Belgrade, and Cultural Studies (MA) at the Faculty of Culture and Media in Belgrade. He studied theology (MTh) at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek. Currently serves as a Church Planter in Belgrade. He is employed at the Belgrade Youth Center as a Program director, where he organised over 2.500 programs and projects in the fields of theology, philosophy and culture. He published scientific papers in the country and abroad, along with three professional monographs. Likewise, he is the president of the Anglican Theological Institute in Belgrade.
Deacon Saša Maligec, PhD, serves in the Church of the Good Shepherd in Osijek as a Lay Reader and as a Cantor. He completed the study of theology (BTh) at the “Michael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek and received a doctorate in economics (PhD) at the University of Osijek. He is employed at the Croatian Electric Industry.
Lay Reader Domagoj Rade, serves in the church in Karlovac. He completed the program of Computer Science at the Rochester Institute of Technology (B.Sc.), and is currently studying at the “Mihael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary.
Lay Reader Igor Peričić, BTh and MA in theology, completed his studies at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek. He serves as a Church Planter in Split, and also works as a Tourist guide.
Lay Reader Dragan Tomašević, is a REC seminarian at the “Mihael Starin” Protestant Theological Seminary in Osijek. He is married with three children. He serves in REC Zagreb since October 2024.