Čuvari Hristovog groba
Čuvari Hristovog groba ("Guards/Keepers of Christ's grave") is a Serb tradition from the Vrlika region, situated in Northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It was traditionally held annually after the Easter liturgy in the Serbian Orthodox church of St. Nicholas in Vrlika. It is one of Serbia's candidates for UNESCO's Intangible cultural heritage-list.
Tradition and history
The Church of St. Nicholas was founded in 1618. It is not known when the tradition began, although folklore tells that it has existed for more than four centuries.[1] The "guards" or "keepers" arrive at the church dressed in folk costumes of Vrlika and nine nearby villages, led by the harambaša (chief), and two guards take place at the north and south of the tomb of the Christ. There are frequent changing of the guards' places, and they march quietly through the church unintrusively, in solid piety, until they take their seats and stare at the Holy Shroud. The custom originates from folk piety and do not disturb the harmony of church prayers, but embellishes the liturgy with elements of warrior dignity.[1]
Controversy
The Republic of Croatia sent a letter to the Association of Čuvari Hristovog groba, requesting that the tradition be called a Croatian national tradition.[1] Association President Dragan Pavlović said that the Republic of Croatia had already presented Sinjska alka and Serb folk tradition Ojkanje singing as Croatian traditions (in UNESCO), and that they "will not give them Čuvari Hristovog groba".[1] The tradition, initially solely Serb, entered local Catholic liturgical practice only with the Uniate (Catholicization) of local Serbs, thus, Pavlović says that "it is therefore Croats appropriate this Serb tradition [...] we Serbs do not want to, in this way, be Catholicizated."[1]
References
Sources
- "Čuvari Hristovog groba". Pravoslavlje.
- "Riznica – Čuvari Hristovog groba". RTS.