Split celebrates the Day of the city and its patron saint, St. Duje

With a procession from the Cathedral of St. Domnius (Duje) to the waterfront, and a Eucharistic celebration led by Dubrovnik Bishop Roko Glasnović on the waterfront, the people of Split celebrated the feast of their patron saint.

The traditional procession started from the Peristyle, passed through the Market and the waterfront the stage where the mass was celebrated, but due to the rain, fewer people gathered than in previous years.

Before the mass, the Archbishop of Split and Makarska, Zdenko Križić, addressed the crowd, emphasizing that St. Duje shows that holiness does not depend on origin, but on loyalty to God and love for people. He recalled that St. Duje, the bishop of Salona, lived in a time of persecution and uncertainty, but remained steadfast in his faith.

“That faith was not hidden or silent, but clear, courageous and ready for sacrifice. Duje laid down his life for that faith,” said Križić.

He added that even today's believers are faced with indifference and forgetfulness of God, and stressed that faith must not remain just a tradition, but a decision to make Christ the center of life. He called for building a society of greater solidarity, honesty and care for the poor and weak.

Dubrovnik Bishop Roko Glasnović spoke in his sermon about family, upbringing and spiritual values, emphasizing that after meeting basic needs, man yearns most for love.

He emphasized that a person's true wealth is not in transient things, but in belonging to Christ, and presented St. Duje as a model of faith, freedom and courage who, despite persecution, remained faithful to God.

Glasnović said that Christians should reject egoism and live faith in family and society, warning that when God disappears from a person's life, idols arise.

He emphasized the Easter mystery and martyrdom of St. Duje.

“Jesus is risen, he is truly risen. He defeated death, grace defeated sin, light defeated darkness,” he said, adding that the winner is the one who sacrifices himself and gives his life for others.

Speaking about the identity of believers, he said that man can only be understood in relationship with Christ, and called for spiritual maturity and responsible upbringing as the foundation of a free man.

He also warned of the danger of individualism in modern society, emphasizing that the life of believers must be directed towards Christ. He described tradition as a living transmission of faith.

“Duje is Christ's and we are Christ's,” Glasnović said.

There are no classes in Split schools today, and from the earliest morning until the evening hours the program is filled with events that combine the religious and entertainment parts of Split's biggest celebration.

There are fairs of craftsmen and old crafts on Voćni trg, the waterfront is filled with stands while galleries and museums have opened their doors with free admission, and special programs are dedicated to the history of Saint Domnius and ancient Salona.

Musical programs are being held at several locations, and the highlight will be in the evening on the waterfront, where singer Doris Dragović will give a concert.

A raffle will be held in the afternoon.

Around 5,000 portions of lamb with peas have also been prepared.

On the occasion of the City Day, a ceremonial session was held at the Split Croatian National Theater.

The people of Split have been promised the implementation of numerous projects that will increase their standard of living, from solving traffic jams to building a new hospital. Hajduk, or rather the Poljud stadium, whose future is causing great attention and divided opinions in the public, has not been forgotten.

“A series of important projects that are important for the city of Split: creating culture and dialogue in the city of Split, a Split without divisions. I think that this is the focus and the message that must be sent, because we are here to respect each other, to appreciate other opinions, but to all make quality decisions for the city of Split together,” said Tomislav Šuta, the mayor of Split.

“We will try to help Split revitalize Spaladium, to arrange Gripe, which deserves a refresh, and this most important issue, on which everyone has their own position and opinion, is an expert committee regarding further activities related to the stadium in Poljud, investments, jointly by the Government and the city, for the stadium in Brodarica, which should serve as a kind of bridge until the issue of the football stadium in Poljud is resolved,” said Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.

Source: HRT