Dubrovnik Patron St Blaise

Thousand Year Old Celebration of the Dubrovnik Patron, St Blaise

This thousand year long celebration of Dubrovnik patron Sv Vlaho (St Blaise) is one of seven phenomena of Croatian cultural heritage recently put on the UNESCO World Non-Material Cultural Heritage List.

As per legend, thanks to the apparition and warning of St Blaise, during the pray of don Stojko in the Cathedral of St. Stephan, Dubrovnik was defended from Venetians whi wanted to conquer the City. In a gratitude to that event, St Blaise was proclaimed the Patron of the City, The Feast of St Blaise is celebrated every year on February 3. while the Feast itself lasts for several days, starting from the Holidays Kandelora (Candlemass) when the Feast is officially opening, till the closing of the celebration, which falls on the first Sunday following.

Flag of Republic of Ragusa (Dubrovnik)

Ever since the year 972. when people began to celebrate it, the Feast Day of Sv Vlaho (St Blaise), Dubrovnik patron Saint, has been a quite special Festival, typical of Dubrovnik. Apart from the opening ceremony on Kandelora (Candlemass) Day a Festive processin in Stradun is organized with a large number of congregation members taking part. A series of Church and secular concerts, exhibitions, book presentations and Theatre guests performances are dedicated to the Patron Saint of Dubrovnik, whose staues look at us from the City walls and gates and whose caring hand guards Dubrovnik on his palm.

The feast day of Sv Vlaho (St Blaise), Dubrovnik patron saint – portrayed as an old man holding a model of the City in his hand, the statues of whom can be seen on the city walls and gates – has been a special day for the City of Dubrovnik ever since the year 972, when people began to celebrate it. The celebration is quite special and characteristic of Dubrovnik. It begins on Candlemass (Kandelora) Day (2 February) with the release of white doves, the symbols of freedom and peace, in front of St Blaise's Church and with the raising of St Blaise's flag on Orlando's Column. On St Blaise's Day (3 February) the relics of St Blaise are carried in Stradun and the streets of Dubrovnik in a huge procession of banners and people of faith from the Dubrovnik surroundings. 

The most valuable among the relics of the Dubrovnik Cathedral, Jesus’ loincloth, is carried under a canopy. In front of St Blaise's Church the banners are unfurled in a special way. They bow paying respect to the saint who has watched over Dubrovnik for many centuries. This is the opportunity for the banner carriers to show this special skill, as well as their exquisite and rich folk costumes which attract attention with their genuineness and beauty. 

The priests perform the throat blessing ceremony for the congregation members who visit the church the whole day long. The ceremony, which comprises the blessing in front of interweaved candles, is believed to protect from throat diseases. At sunset the stained-glass windows and laurel decorations in the church of the Dubrovnik patron saint radiate with a special glow. With the blessing of St Blaise they bid farewell to the faithful residents and guests of Dubrovnik until next year. The Festival of St Blaise is also the City of Dubrovnik Day. 

Apart from the spiritual segment of the festival, these days abound with various events. At the festive meeting of the City Council, taking place at the baroque Marin Drzic Theatre, the prizes of the City are awarded. During the festival Dubrovnik is visited by the diplomatic corps and numerous prestigious businessmen and politicians from Croatia and Europe. For all of them, as a part of the Dubrovnik tradition, the Candlemass Dinner is organized at Fort Revelin, where the Dubrovnik delicacies – including the so called sporchi (dirty) macaroni and doughnuts - will be served. In the time of the festival a series of church and secular concerts, exhibitions, book presentations and theatre guest performances are dedicated to the patron saint of Dubrovnik, whose statues look at us from the city walls and gates and whose caring hand guards Dubrovnik on his palm.

Source TZ Dubrovnik