The Festivity of Saint Blaise and the Day of the City of Dubrovnik
On February 3rd, the Day of the Festivity of St. Blaise, and for 1044 years in a row
since the year 972, we open wide the door to our City, while the flight of white
doves marking the opening of the Festivity reminds us of the values of freedom –
the greatest treasure of the Republic of Dubrovnik. It is rare to find a city whose
identity is so intrinsically connected with its patron saint, as it is the case with
Dubrovnik. The City and the Saint are one.
The celebration of Dubrovnik's patron is special and unique. It begins on Our
Lady of Candles or Candlemas on February 2nd when white doves, a symbol of
freedom and peace, are released in front of the saint's church and by the raising
of Blaise's banner in the central place of the Old City – upon Orlando’s Column.
On this occasion, an old saying is often recited: ˝Candlemas in, winter out,
followed by St. Blaise, claiming that it's not true˝.
And indeed, on that day when the cities in the North are soaked in rain and
Europe is snowed in, Dubrovnik is full of mimosas, daffodils, and sunny, true
spring days. At dawn on February 3rd, with the platoons of the Dubrovnik
Musketeers, a historic Dubrovnik unit, the Grand Masters – a distinguished
craftsman and seaman – await the banners from the east and the west that will
take part in the procession honouring the patron.
On February 3rd, the very day of the Festivity, a celebratory mass takes place in
the open, from where the procession Church dignitaries, banners, and the many
faithful who rush towards the City from the all of Dubrovnik’s surroundings
begins.
The relics of St. Blaise are carried through Stradun and the city streets, and
under the canopy, the most important relic of all – the swaddling cloth of baby
Jesus. In front of the Church of Saint Blaise, the banners are placed and swayed
in a special manner thereby demonstrating respect for the saint who has been
holding watch over Dubrovnik for a number of centuries. It is the occasion to
show off this special skill, as well as the magnificent and rich national costumes
of the inhabitants of Dubrovnik’s surroundings that attract attention with their
originality and beauty.
On the eve of the Festivity, the stained glass windows of the Church of
Dubrovnik's patron saint shine with special radiance and light up the festive bay
leaf garlands. Priests administer the blessing of throats with crossed candles to
the believers who flow into the Church throughout the day; this sacrament
protects against illnesses of the throat.
With Blaise's blessing comes the send-off until the next year’s Festivity of Saint
Blaise that gathers the loyal people of Dubrovnik and their guests, as well as a
large number of domestic and foreign guests. It is certainly the most important
ecclesiastical and secular event every winter, as well as a unique tourist
attraction.