Following The Cross, Za Križen, Hvar Croatia – Ep 7

In this episode of Sailing With Thankfulness we join in with a 500 year old tradition on the Island of Hvar called Za Križen which means following the cross. We were greatly impacted by the level of respect and honour shown by the local community. We can learn a lot from the Croatian’s on Hvar.

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Episode Notes

Following The Cross – Za Križen

0:00 Kerry

Welcome to Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday on the long weekend of Easter. We’re in Vrbroska on the island Hvar and we’re so excited. Tonight we’re going to be participating in a tradition that’s been going on for about 500 years, uninterrupted. It’s actually so special that it was recognised in 2009 by UNESCO as an event to be celebrated and remembered.

0:33 Stephen

So isn’t that incredible? They haven’t missed a beat for 500 years.

0:40 Kerry

We’re heading up to the church now where the procession of the following of the cross begins for Vrbosca. The traditional Croatian name is Za križen. Can you see the church in front? The procession goes from church to church. In each little town they visit the priest and then the priest blesses them. The procession then goes to the next town. There are six towns here in Hvar that the procession goes to. It’s 25 kilometres to go through the whole night starting at 10 o’clock tonight and finishing at seven or eight o’clock tomorrow morning.

It’s the beginning of Spring as well and so blossoms are starting to come out. People are starting to plant their lettuces and their vegetables. Vineyards are getting ready. This is the oldest church here in Vrboska and it kind of looks like a fortress. That’s because they fortified the church to protect it in times of war. Croatia’s got a history of many wars, so this was a way to preserve their culture.

The Cross Bearer

1:55 Stephen

The procession is led by a cross bearer who does the entire 25 kilometre trip with bare feet or possibly wearing socks. The cross that he carries weighs about 18 kilograms which is like a bag of cement. Can you imagine carrying a bag of cement 25 kilometres? This person was allocated or reserved their spot to do the cross bearing 20 or 30 years ago. There are no vacancies for cross bearers until 2051.

Being a cross bearer is a matter of great respect and admiration and the position ofcross bearer is highly desired. The youngest cross bearer was 12 years old and the eldest was 83.

2:44 Kerry

He then chooses two of his friends to be the candelabra holders and they join in the procession. He also has other people who are the choral singers or the choir and they sing the lamentations of the Virgin Mary at different points along the way.

The Procession

3:01 Stephen

We’re heading up to the church. It’s almost 10 p.m. We’re hoping to follow along behind the procession tonight for Za Križen (following the cross).

Here’s the fortified church that we were at earlier today.

Well we joined the procession. We’ve been walking for an hour and a half. We’ve walked from Vrboska to Jelsa and we’re going to head home now which is still an hour, another 5 kilometres. We’ll pick it up again early tomorrow around 6 a.m. when they’ll come back at the end of their 25 kilometres.

The Significance Of Following The Cross

7:27 Kerry

We didn’t make it to get up early and go and welcome them back into Vrboska. We had a little sleep in after our late night last night. I’m so thankful though that we actually took the time to join the community here and to take part in this historic walk following the cross. To see the reverence, the pondering, the contemplation and the focusing on purpose of life as a whole community was just incredible. My take out from the whole thing is to ask the question what am I following and am I following the cross daily not just once a year.

8:18 Stephen

Everybody follows something or someone. Some people follow money. Some people follow fame or power For others they follow their passion. We all follow something. So, as Kerry was saying, we choose to follow the cross. What that represents is the life and person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is real. Jesus Christ has risen. Jesus Christ has changed our life and because of his sacrifice we live and we’re free.

8:53 Kerry

Happy easter everyone.

It’s our hope and desire that you’ve found something in this video encouraging, inspiring or uplifting. If you did make sure that you like it , subscribe and you click that notification bell so we can keep in touch. See you soon.

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