Original scientific paper
ADVENT IN LITURGY AND NATIONAL CULTURE OF THE CROATS
Marko Dragić
; Faculty of Philosophy, University of Split
Abstract
The Sunday nearest to the holiday of St. Andrew (30th November)
is the first Sunday of Advent. There are four Sundays before
Christmas and they symbolize the four millennia from the creation
of the world to the coming of Jesus Christ. Advent is characterized
by fasting, devotion, prayers, masses, (especially morning services)
and spiritual and physical preparations to welcome the most joyful
Christian holiday, Christmas. In Advent weddings and enjoyments
were not allowed, except the celebration of Immaculate Conception
of Blessed Virgin Mary. In Advent Croatian Catholics particularly
honour the holidays of: St. Barbara, St. Nicholas, Immaculate
Conception of Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Lucia and St. Thomas.
Along with these holidays certain jobs are carried out, like putting
wheat on a plate or a similar vessel to grow, into which Christmas
candles are placed to be adornment for Christmas Eve, Christmas
and New Year.
Advent holidays are associated to various folk beliefs among
which the most frequent are those on predicting the future
bridegroom or bride.
Croatian people has praised in songs God’s holy men and
women in oral lyrical religious songs, and on the island of Brač,
during the period of Advent, carollers sing carols to the namesakes
of the holy men and women celebrated in Advent.
Keywords
Advent; liturgy; customs; preparation for the coming of Christmas; oral lyrical prayer songs
Hrčak ID:
29615
URI
Publication date:
15.9.2008.
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