Croatia – Tradition Of Flower Or Palm Sunday – Croatia, the War, and the Future

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inavukic

April 16, 2014

Last Sunday, April 13th, was Palm Sunday and Catholic Croatians call it Flower Sunday.

On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, Palm Sunday, often referred to as “Passion Sunday,” marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. In Croatia Palm Sunday is called “Flower Sunday” (Cvjetna Nedjelja or Cvijećnica).

It is a day for the blessing of flowers, olive, palm and other branches during all Masses in the church and signifies the announcement of the Gospel that talks about Jesus’ festive entry into Jerusalem. It’s a Croatian tradition to take the small branches, or a piece of a larger one, home and place it on the crucifix that usually hangs on the wall, or tuck it into the frame of a picture of a Saint in the home, while other pieces are taken to the stables and into the fields.

But beside these religious traditions connected with the Catholic Church Croatians have an ancient tradition of washing their face and hands and arms (especially the children) on Palm Sunday morning in water with fresh flowers in it. The tradition also includes wishing well, success and all good intentions for the coming year to one’s own life, family’s, friends’, neighbours and all those that are close. Hence, the name: Flower or Floral Sunday.

The Bible reveals that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches and covering his path with palm branches. Immediately following this great time of celebration in the ministry of Jesus, he begins his journey of the Cross.
The biblical account of Palm Sunday can be found in Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; and John 12:12-19

Here are some photographs from this year’s Palm Sunday in Croatia and community abroad. Click on photos to enlarge.

Palm Sunday 2014 Ostarije, Croatia Photo: Josip Anusic — Palm Sunday 2014
Ostarije, Croatia
Photo: Josip Anusic

Palm Sunday Ostarije, Croatia Photo: Josip Anusic — Palm Sunday Ostarije, Croatia
Photo: Josip Anusic

Palm Sunday 2014 Dubrovnik Croatia Photo: Zeljko Tutnjevic — Palm Sunday 2014 Dubrovnik Croatia
Photo: Zeljko Tutnjevic

Palm Sunday 2014 Croatia - A Day of Hope — Palm Sunday 2014 Croatia – A Day of Hope

Palm Sunday 2014 Croatia - Flower water basin — Palm Sunday 2014 Croatia – Flower water basin

Palm Sunday 2014, Pucisce, Island of Brac, Croatia

Palm Sunday 2014 Croatia - Flower water basin Photo: Domacica — Palm Sunday 2014 Croatia – Flower water basin
Photo: Domacica

Palm Sunday 2014 - Croatian church Sydney, Australia Photo: Boka Cropress — Palm Sunday 2014 – Croatian church Sydney, Australia
Photo: Boka Cropress

Croatia, Croatian traditions, Flower Sunday, Holy Week, Palm Sunday

41 responses to “Croatia – Tradition Of Flower Or Palm Sunday”

purpleraysblog

April 16, 2014

Exquisite pictures matched with beautiful words! Thanks for sharing!

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1. inavukic
  
  April 16, 2014
  
  Thank you, purplerays
  
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Diana

April 16, 2014

So beautiful…I love seeing the way various countries celebrate holidays!

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1. inavukic
  
  April 16, 2014
  
  Yes I think everyone has something special and different even if it is a minute detail, Diana – thank you
  
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Tempus Fugit

April 16, 2014

…it is amazing (and cultured) for the Croatians to keep their customs for centuries, after so much of the catholic world has forgotten theirs! But, saying that, Jesus Christ should be more supportive of the croats, since they kept the faith in a time when even Roman Catholic scholars are questioning if any of these beliefs (including its founder.. JC) ever existed!
In the case of the Croatian success with its economy, within its own borders and even within the European Union, this has more to do with these “old communists”, who will NEVER encourage foreign investment nor export potential and until the croatian populace gets rid of these these treasonous animals, Croatia is rushing for economic and national collapse!
If you see international events, NO BODY wants communism back!……Not the original hotbed of communism Russia, nor “Red” China, Cuba, Serbia, Ukraine etc.! But these slime-ball, snotty nosed commies (eg girly-man Josipovic, Milanovic, Mesic (whose only job was as an UDBA informant), greater Serbian communists sucn Vesna Pusic, Jovanovic, Pupovac et al., who may have had some uncle in the “Jugoslav” paritizans and chetniks in WW2, and who have never experienced the chauvinism and horrors of communism and who never served in the Homeland War ,want this archaic system back! WHY!?
Only Dr. Franjo Tudjman, who served in WW2 as a partisan officer (and who lost his brother in the same war) can only claim to be the apologist for the old Tito communist Jugoslavia!
HE rejected communism for Croatia and he was the ONLY one who had the right to do that!…..Not the above mentioned quislings and idiots!

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1. inavukic
  
  April 16, 2014
  
  Yes Tempus Fugit – the communists did much damage to people’s faith and religion but thankfully they survived and will do so by all accounts.
  
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rb

April 16, 2014

Dear Ina & all your blog visitors

Happy Easter Holidays!
Sincerely and respectfully,
rb

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1. inavukic
  
  April 16, 2014
  
  Thank you RB – Happy Easter to you too! Much appreciate your thoughts in advance
  
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Nancy Loderick

April 16, 2014

What a beautiful and reverent way to celebrate Palm Sunday. Thanks for sharing these pictures!

Nancy

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1. inavukic
  
  April 16, 2014
  
  I think so too. Nancy Loderick – I love the way these old traditions keep us tied to our ancestry
  
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Carol Balawyder

April 16, 2014

These are such beautiful photos, Ina.

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1. inavukic
  
  April 16, 2014
  
  Thank you Carol Balawyder – I love photos of ordinary people at their living. Something sincere and true in that that makes everyone beautiful 😀
  
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annetbell

April 16, 2014

Thanks so much for sharing your traditions . The church I went to in Arizonia had a sunrise service on Easter early morning where we put flowers into a wire cross making it into a flower cross ! Holy Week. Blessings !

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1. inavukic
  
  April 16, 2014
  
  What a nice tradition Anne – I think the placing of flowers into a wire cross gives one special moments for reflections, thoughts, spiritual focus just as preparing flower water and cleansing/washing one’s face etc in it does in Croatia
  
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  1. annetbell
    
    April 17, 2014
    
    Yes , it does and thank you for making all those lovely connections!
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    April 17, 2014
    
    XX
    
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Eric Alagan

April 17, 2014

Flower Sunday – that’s lovely. We refer to it as Palm Sunday here.

Even if the demands of life does not allow it, it is time now for some deep reflections and prayers.

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1. inavukic
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  I agree Eric Alagan – the traditions or customs do also allow for moments of reflection and spiritual focus…in today’s busy world especially I think such moments are well placed into one’s daily schedule as part of tradition 😀
  
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psychologistmimi

April 17, 2014

great photos showing us a part of the tradition. I like it being called flower sunday

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1. inavukic
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  Thank you, psychologistmimi – I like that too
  
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gpcox

April 17, 2014

A VERY beautiful ceremony, Ina.

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1. inavukic
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  Thank you, gpcox – I do love its freshness and particular care in preparation for the moments when one wishes well while washing…the old traditions seem to be thought out so well
  
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Ileana

April 17, 2014

Fie ca sfanta sarbatoare a invierii domnului sa-ti aduca cele 4 taine divine: incredere, lumina, iubire, speranta. Clipe de neuitat alaturi de cei dragi si numai realizari! O seara binecuvanata alaturi de familie! http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y301/Petilea_Noidoi/1656_sarb_zps1aa10bf9.jpg
May the holy feast of the Resurrection bring you divine mysteries 4: reliable, light, love, hope. Unforgettable moments with your loved ones and only achievements! An evening with family blessings!

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1. inavukic
  
  April 17, 2014
  
  Translation of comment by Ileana: May the holy feast of the Resurrection bring you divine mysteries 4: reliable, light, love, hope. Unforgettable moments with your loved ones and only achievements! An evening with family blessings!
  
  REPLY: Thank you Ileana – happy and blessed Easter to you and your family also.
  
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  1. Ileana
    
    April 18, 2014
    
    Holidays Bright!
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    April 18, 2014
    
    Cheers Ileana 😀
    
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  3. Ileana
    
    April 18, 2014
    
    ❤
    
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Brenda

April 18, 2014

Such beautiful rituals. I like the name Flower Sunday. Happy Easter a bit early! 🙂

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1. inavukic
  
  April 18, 2014
  
  Ah Brenda, it might be early date-wise but never too early for the joy of Easter! Much happiness to you and your family 😀
  
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  1. Brenda
    
    April 18, 2014
    
    Thanks, we will be going to an egg hunt! I’ve been preparing. Such fun.
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    April 18, 2014
    
    Love it! Hope you find heaps 😀
    
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  3. Brenda
    
    April 18, 2014
    
    I love that they have a hunt for all age groups, even adults.
    
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  4. inavukic
    
    April 18, 2014
    
    When it comes to having fun isn’t it grand to be a child in an adult body 😀
    
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  5. Brenda
    
    April 18, 2014
    
    Absolutely, every day is a day to celebrate being alive!
    
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  6. inavukic
    
    April 18, 2014
    
    😀 XX
    
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Kat

April 18, 2014

Thank you for sharing those beautiful images. I still recall a few times from my childhood where I would get woken up early on Cvijećnica and be made to wash my face with the “flower water”. Old traditions are so beautiful.

Happy Easter to you and all followers of the blog.

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1. inavukic
  
  April 18, 2014
  
  Thank you Kat – and happy and blessed Easter to you!
  
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pastiva

April 21, 2014

Te he nominado al premio The Inner Peace and The Lighthouse Awards que tengas una buena semana

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1. inavukic
  
  April 21, 2014
  
  Thank you Pastiva – much appreciated and honoured ¡gracias 😀
  
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sf

April 21, 2014

BEAUTIFUL photos of such a joyous celebration!

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1. inavukic
  
  April 21, 2014
  
  Thank you, sf – cheers 😀
  
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I’m Ina

I was born in Croatia and live Australia. I have been described as a prominent figure known for my contribution to the Croatian and wider societies, particularly in the context of Croatia’s transition from communism to democracy, as well as for my many years of work as a clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of government-funded services for people with disabilities, including mental health services, in Australia. In 1995, the President of the Republic of Croatia awarded me two Medals of Honor, the Homeland War Memorial Medal and the Order of the Croatian Trefoil for her special merits and her contribution to the founding of the Republic of Croatia. I have been a successful blogger since 2011 and write extensively in the English-language on issues related to Croatian current affairs and democracy, as well as the challenges Croatia faced and still faces in its transition from communism. My goal is to raise awareness of these connections and issues worldwide.

Croatia, the War, and the Future