Catholic Festival

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Originally uploaded by nickmoles.

Later that night, in Jelsa, we came across this religious procession, which came from Jelsa's small hilltop cathedral to the town church. I think it was for the Fest of the Assumption, which like any good Cathlic, I know absolutely nothing about. But it was amazing - Priest, guy carrying cricifix, then some nuns, then all the town's men in cassocks, then some monks or trainee priests or something.

They were all carrying tall lanterns with red candles inside, which made for a very striking scene in the twilight. Literally every resident of the town was there for the mass, which was celebrated outside in front of the church.

I, as I said before, find the country's devotion quite charming. But at the same time, it's an expression of nationalism, as the Bosnians, Serbs, and Croats are ethnically and linguistically the same people, they're just divided by which direction they turn for religious guidance.

But as a Catholic I like it a great deal. And the country has excellent beer and schnitzel. And nice beaches. And beautiful homes. I really can't recommend a visit to Croatia highly enough.