Casne Sestre Bazilijanke
Rackoga, 36/38
48260 Krizevci
Tel.: (385) 48 712 171
Fax: (385) 48 271 526
Em: sestre.bazilianke@inet.hr

History

   The idea of Sisters of Saint Basil in the Krizevci Eparchy originated with Bishop Julian Drohobyc'kyj, who relied on God's Providence to realize this dream. Within a short time, young Croatian women revealed their strong desire for monastic life. They were cousins of the Prelate Danylo Sajatovic, D.D. - Angela (Sister Avhustyna) and Marta (Sister Marija) Smiciklas. Jelena Sumina (Sister Daniela) came later. After novitiate at the monastery in Slovita, Halychyna, (Ukraine), they returned to the Krizevci Eparchy.

   When World War I broke out, the Slovita monastery was on the line of battle. The nine Sisters and nine orphans from Croatia returned to Krizevci on August 26, 1915. Bishop Dionizij Njaradi arranged for the placement and schooling of the orphans and continuation of studies for the Sisters. October 4, Sisters moved to the Eparchial building, "Julijanum". One part of the building became the Sister's cloister and the other a dormitory for girls frequenting a teacher-training seminary.

   In 1920, the monastery in Krizevci became autonomous and Mother Augustina Smiciklas became the first Superior. The Sisters' multifaceted activity expanded to Sosice, where up to World War II they taught in the area elementary school. There, on the monastery grounds Sisters established a preschool, cared for orphans and offered culinary and sewing courses for older girls and women.

   World War II brought much suffering and many changes. In Karlovac in 1944, Bishop asked the Sisters to care for children leaving villages in fear of communists. These orphans and Sisters were moved to Zagreb in 1945, when the communist government of Yugoslavia was formed by President Tito. Although the Greek Catholic Church was free, Sisters could not work in schools. They worked in the fields, with the elderly and catechized. After the centralization of the Basilian Order in 1951, Sisters from Yugoslavia ministered in Rome.

   Basilian Sisters were entrusted with guardianship of the Cathedral and Eparchial complex in Krizevci in 1979. With God's help, they continue their life of consecrated dedication and apostolic service among the Byzantine Catholics of Croatia.


Ministries

   Krizevci
   Is the seat of the Vice-Province administration. Most of the Sisters live, pray and share community life in the Krizevci monastery.

Children's Home    Sisters take care of homeless school-age children, both boys and girls. They provide the children with a loving atmosphere in a home approved by the government and supported by the local community.
	Children receive their elementary and high schools education in city schools. At Christmas, the children stage a nativity scene to which the entire community is invited. Sisters contribute much to the children's religious, cultural and social education. At the end of the school year, the children present a special program for their benefactors.

   Nursing Home
   On the monastery grounds Sisters have a special home in which they care for the elderly and aged women.

   Krizevci Cathedral and Bishops residence
   In 1979, Sisters were entrusted with the custody of the cathedral, a historical landmark for the Catholics of the Byzantine Catholic Church in Croatia. Sisters give guided tours of the cathedral, explain Eastern spirituality, iconography and inform the visitors about the Byzantine Catholic Church in Croatia, its traditions and beautiful liturgy.

   Library in Krizevci
   The Bishop’s residence houses a very valuable library containing precious books some of which date back to the XVIII century.

   Sosice – Holy Family Monastery
   Sisters are curators of a folk museum featuring the folk culture of the Zumberak Byzantine Catholic people who settled in this part of Croatia. Sisters also catechize children and prepare them for the reception of the sacraments.

   Zagreb
   Sisters serve the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Zagreb. Their work and care for the well-being of the seminarians helps to prepare men for the priesthood.

   Sisters also care of elderly women and provide housing for young women attending institutions of higher learning in Zagreb. They help at Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish by catechizing children and lead the congregational singing as cantors.

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