Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/y54jofveem
A Contribution to Research of Medieval History of Novigrad in Istria: Ecclesiastical and Political Context of the Cult of St. Pelagius
Marina Zgrablić
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Studies, University Juraj Dobrila in Pula, Pula, Croatia
Abstract
Research of early medieval history of Novigrad is closely connected to the veneration of St. Pelagius, the patron saint of Novigrad, on whom the more recent archaeological and historical research brought to light relevant evidence enabling opportunity of re-examination of history of Novigrad from several aspects. Within the context of intensified activity of building and dedicating churches within the framework of reform of state and Church in the period of the rule of Charlemagne, the article tries to answer the question of the origins of St. Pelagius’s cult. Namely, historical and hagiographical data confirm that the saint of the same name was venerated in Constance on the Lake Constance (Bodensee) and in Novigrad in Istria. As a reason for it, two general possibilities existing within the ecclesiastical politics of the Frankish Empire impose themselves: renewal of the cult of St. Pelagius from Late Antiquity and extant in hagiographic tradition on the one side, or transfer of the relics of St. Pelagius (translation) in the Frankish period. Taking into the account that circumstances in Novigrad of that time point to both of these possibilities, the article just tries to contribute to the better understanding of that problem based on the written and material evidence on early medieval Novigrad in Istria.
Keywords
Novigrad in Istria; Early Middle Ages; St. Pelagius; relics; cathedral; cult of saints
Hrčak ID:
301445
URI
Publication date:
17.5.2023.
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