Croatia celebrates Christmas Eve

Croatia celebrates Christmas Eve today - the last day of Advent, when many Christians of the Western rite keep vigil in anticipation of the most joyous Christian holiday, the birth of Jesus. 

There are numerous traditions among the Croatian people observed on Christmas Eve. According to the church it is not a day of fasting, however foods typically eaten during fasting periods found their way to Croatian tables today. It is a day rich in customs and a day of togetherness, which again this year awakens hope and peace in believers. Nativity scenes, decorated trees and green wheat will decorate homes and introduce us to the celebration of Christmas, a day when no one should be alone.

Today is a special day for believers in Zagreb, as the Zagreb Cathedral has reopened five years after being damaged in the earthquake.

“We are very happy that the Zagreb Cathedral was reconstructed again and that we can go there for midnight mass. We should look forward to Christmas,” said one person who came to see the Cathedral.

“This is the most beautiful thing in Zagreb and for the Croatian people,” said another overjoyed believer.

The open doors of the Zagreb Cathedral are also a symbolic call for us not to close our doors to anyone, said Zagreb Cathedral Rector Zlatko Koren. He recalled that the Cathedral will be open every day from 8am to 7 pm.

“In some parts works will be taking place. Works will also take place outside. But these works will not obstruct us from raising our eyes to God in that Cathedral and in that sight of God, in a certain manner cleanse our view towards man,” said Rector Zlatko Koren.

Midnight mass at the Cathedral led by Zagreb Archbishop Dražen Kutleša will be broadcast live on Croatian Radio.

Meanwhile, a place where midnight mass is especially solemn is in the place of Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem.

“After two years it is much more solemn, at least from what we can see in the streets of Bethlehem. Many pilgrims, especially the lucky one who managed to get a ticket for midnight mass, will attend holy mass, which will be led by Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa,” said Croatian Franciscan serving in the Holy Land, Sandro Tomašević.

Pope Leo XIV recalled the visit by Cardinal Pizzaballa to Gaza and noted that believers there are trying to celebrate Christmas in the middle of a very insecure situation.

Source: HRT