PHOTOS: Croatians flock to cemeteries for All Saints’ Day
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Šlafhauzer)
Today, Croatians will visit cemeteries, lighting candles and placing flowers in memory of those who have passed, as they observe All Saints’ Day.
Observed each year on November 1, the Feast of All Saints, or All Saints’ Day, is a national public holiday in Croatia.
Traditionally, families use this day to clean and decorate the graves of loved ones, adding fresh flowers and lighting candles as a sign of respect.
For Catholics, it is also a holy day of obligation.
Vukovar
On the eve of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, Vukovar city officials, led by City Council President Željko Saba, honoured the fallen Croatian defenders and civilian victims of the Homeland War by laying a wreath and lighting candles at the Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of the Homeland War.
(Photo: Grad Vukovar//Miroslav Šlafhauzer)
During a prayer led by Brother Tonio Vučemilović, guardian and parish priest of St. Filip and Jakov, respects were paid to all deceased citizens remembered in thought and prayer.
(Photo: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Šlafhauzer)
Delegations from Vukovar also laid wreaths and lit candles at the New “Dubrava” Cemetery, the base of the “Ovčar” Memorial, and other local cemeteries, including the Old Catholic Cemetery and those in Sotin and Lipovača.
(Photo: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Šlafhauzer)
Zagreb
In Zagreb, Mirogoj Cemetery again has been busy this morning, drawing large crowds.
This afternoon, the cemetery will be illuminated by hundreds of candle, creating a special scene.
(Photo credit: Mate Paškanović Pavković)
Government officials also have honoured those who lost their lives during Croatia’s War of Independence by paying respects at Mirogoj Cemetery.
(Photo credit: Mate Paškanović Pavković)
(Photo credit: Mate Paškanović Pavković)
All Saints’ Day, celebrated on this date, was established by Pope Gregory III (731–741), who dedicated an oratory in St. Peter’s Basilica to honour “the holy apostles and all saints, martyrs, and confessors, and all the righteous perfected in peace across the world.”
