Days of the Patrons of Nin, Saint Marcela and Saint Anselmo

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Days of the Patrons of Nin, Saint Marcela and Saint Anselmo in Nin

To pass through turbulent historical periods, to preserve faith and freedom and contribute to them, to live in an area so rich with the gifts of Nature and Man and to persevere – would it be possible at all without luck, wisdom and sincere advocates?! The residents of Nin, and everyone who is acquainted with the exceptional values of Nin, knows that it must be a gift of providence and the Patrons of Nin.

If you come to Nin on the 25th-26th August you can celebrate the unique Church festivals, the days of the Patrons of Nin, St Marcela and St Anselmo to whom the parish church, the former Cathedral (6th-18th century) is dedicated.
According to tradition, St Anselmo was one of Christ’s 72 disciples who came to Nin and its surroundings to preach and spread Christianity.

Tradition also has it, that Marcela from Luke’s Gospel was a housewife in the house of Marta, Maria and Lazarus and in the apostolic announcement she helped the Bishop Anselmo and Dean Ambrose in Nin.

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Festival of the Sun and Light in the Church of the Holy Cross

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Festival of the Sun and Light in the Church of the Holy Cross in Nin

What secrets, extraordinary to our mind, still imponderable ideas and ways of realisation are hidden in the Church of the Holy Cross? And in what way does the playing of the sun, light and shadow unmistakably, like a calendar or a sundial tell us about the season, month and even the hour?
 
The first Festival of the Sun and Light was a unique event held in the Church of the Holy Cross on the first day of summer 2009, the International Year of Astronomy. At the right time, in the right place!
 
This event –unique, just as this Church called ‘the smallest Cathedral in the world’ – is based on the evaluation of the astronomic and the architectural importance of the Church of the Holy Cross, a Pre-Romanesque building with a ground plan in the shape of a cross and a dome having special characteristics.
 
Namely each side of the church has an oval opening and its construction and position in relation to the position of the Sun throughout the year –as explained by the scientist Mladen Pejaković – depends on the winter and summer solstice; spring and fall equinox and it was made in order to serve as a sundial and a calendar.
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Nin’s šokolijada (Šokol festival)

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Nin’s šokolijada (Šokol festival) in Nin

Would you like to try „šokol“, the unique speciality of Nin, and see how it is prepared? Although it can be found in nearly all restaurants in this area, to be present at Nin’s Šokol Festival means far more.

Namely, from 2003 this unique competition has been held which attracts a large number of „šokol“ experts in July, but also many locals and visitors who enjoy the event, the smells and tastes. However, the whole story actually starts at the very beginning of the year when the meat for the preparation is distributed to the registered competitors, and ends in July when the best „šokol“ makers are chosen.

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The traditional pilgrimage to Our Lady´s island

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The traditional pilgrimage to Our Lady´s island in Nin

The appearance of Our Lady of Zečevo, and the traditional pilgrimage to the nearby Island of Zečevo – which during low tide in fact becomes part of the mainland- is connected with an interesting story which takes us back to the very beginning of the 16th century.

The Turks, in an act of revenge because of the defeat they suffered in Nin, set fire to the Church and Monastery on this island, killed all the monks and took the Statue of Our Lady. The legend has it ,that they threw it into the sea and that Our Lady ‘swam’ to the shore in Nin and in 1516 She appeared to the widow Jelena, sent a message to the people and all this was confirmed by the Statue shedding tears.

This was a good enough reason to organise unique processions to the Island of Zečevo on the 5th May and 5th August every year, which for numerous visitors and local people has become an event to remember. For worshippers and all others, this is an interesting event which ties us to the past and gives us new strength for the future. 

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The Church Holiday of Our Lady of Zečevo

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The Church Holiday of Our Lady of Zečevo in Nin

Every year, at the beginning of May, a large number of pilgrims gather to commemorate the anniversary of the appearance of Our Lady. According to written evidence, and official recognition by the then, diocese of Nin, on 5th May 1516, on the Island of Zečevo, Our Lady appeared to the widowed shepherdess Jelena Grubišić.

Thus Nin became an important Virgin Mary sanctuary in which many worshippers gather in May every year. The Church Holiday of Our Lady of Zečevo is celebrated on the first Monday before the holiday of Ascension. After the Holy Mass, a procession begins in the streets of Nin, which are festively decorated for this occasion. Worshippers carry the Statue of the miracle-making Our Lady of Zečevo and sing the hymn called ‘Dobra Majko sa Zečeva’, (The Good Mother of Zečevo), as well as other hymns dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The Miraculous Appearance of Our Lady of Zečevo is commemorated three times a year: on 5th May, on the actual holiday, and on the 5th August. 

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