Anthropologist from Serbia to Present New Research on the Apostolic Christian Church Nazarene Migration to Northeast Ohio
The Amish & Plain Anabaptist Studies Association (APASA) announces a guest lecture by Dr. Aleksandra Djurić Milovanović on October 10 at UA Wayne College in Orrville. Dr. Djurić Milovanović, Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Balkan Studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, will present findings from her latest book, "The Untold Journey of the Nazarene Emigration from Yugoslavia to North America" (Lexington Books, 2024).
Dr. Djurić Milovanović's talk will explore the compelling narrative of religious persecution and migration experienced by members of the Apostolic Christian Church Nazarene (ACCN) in post-World War II Yugoslavia. Her research offers particular insight into the establishment of ACCN churches across northeast Ohio, many of which resulted from the influx of ACCN migrants from Eastern Europe during the communist period.
The Apostolic Christian Church Nazarene, which shares historical roots with other Swiss-originated Anabaptist groups including Mennonites and Amish, is known for strict nonviolence and refusal to bear arms. These beliefs led to intense pressure in Yugoslavia after World War II, prompting many to choose exile rather than compromise their convictions. Dr. Djurić Milovanović's work traces their journey from clandestine border crossings to life in refugee camps, and finally to settlement in North America, with a focus on Ohio.
Drawing from extensive field research conducted in Ohio, including oral histories and archival documents, Dr. Djurić Milovanović sheds light on a little-known chapter of Cold War religious history. Her research illustrates the clash between totalitarian power and religious conviction, while also exploring themes of cultural adaptation and the preservation of faith traditions in a new context.
Dr. Djurić Milovanović, a social anthropologist, has conducted extensive research on religious minorities and migration. She has been a visiting professor at University College Cork, Ireland, and has given guest lectures at numerous institutions including the University of Cambridge, Cornell University, and Ramon Llull University in Barcelona.
This event is open to the public and free of charge. All are welcome to attend.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: The University of Akron Wayne College, SLB Room 107
Address: 1901 Smucker Rd, Orrville, OH 44667
For more information, contact Cory Anderson, APASA Director, at contact@amishstudies.org / PO Box 37, Mt. Hope, OH 44660, or Wayne College at waynecommunityrelations.com.
Established in 2018, APASA is a network of scholars, service providers, instructors, plain people, and others interested in the study of the Amish and the plain Anabaptists. As a non-profit educational organization, APASA advances theoretical, analytical, and applied knowledge by providing venues for discussion of research, teaching, and service. The organization is committed to creating awareness of Amish and plain Anabaptist research, promoting partnerships among scholars and service providers, and cultivating respect for the plain people. For more information about APASA, visit www.amishstudies.org.