Original scientific paper

St. Apollonia in Churches of the Poreč and Pula Dioceses

Ana KOTARAC KNEŽEVIĆ ; Department of Oral Surgery, School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Izak Legović ; Polyclinic for Dentistry Legović, Poreč, Croatia
Goran Knežević ; Retired Professor of the School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The aim of this article was to investigate where and how the iconographic illustrations of St. Apollonia appear in sacral buildings in 135 parishes and 9 deaneries of the Poreč and Pula dioceses in Istria. The book “The Church in Istria Historic and Cultural Heritage”, by Ivan Milotić was a source of information. Based on statements in the book on iconographic illustrations of St. Apollonia, all churches were visited where they still stand, including places to which we were directed by the local inhabitants and through analysis of other hagiographic literature. Seventeen churches in 16 parishes and 8 deaneries were visited. The iconographic illustrations of St. Apollonia are mentioned in the literature at 16 places in 15 churches, and their existence was confirmed at 17 places in 16 churches. The Saint is depicted in images on canvas, wall frescoes, and wood or plaster statues. In the majority of cases they are found on the main or side altars, indicating the extent to which the Saint was revered by the people. She was often depicted with other saints, protectors from disease. The church buildings in which the iconographic illustrations were found date from various periods ranging from the 15th to the 20th century. Most illustrations of the Saint date back from the 18th century, although there are those from earlier periods – illustrations on frescoes from 1474, Vincent of Kastav, and the Church of St. Apollonia from 1649. In Istria the worshipping of St. Apollonia and other saint protectors against diseases existed from ancient times and indicates that medical care frequently went beyond the framework of the profession, and that the people were left to call upon the blessing of certain saints, as in the case of St. Apollonia. The data shown also clearly point to the valuable sacral artistic heritage.

Keywords

ethnodentistry, XV to XX century, medicine and religion, patron saints, St. Apollonia, Poreč and Pula dioceses, Istria, Croatia; Saints; Religion and Medicine; Faith Healing

Hrčak ID:

78635

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/78635

Publication date:

20.3.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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