Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Hodočašće Sv. Ivi Krstitelju u Podmilačje

Written by: Ž. Ivković
Translation: Ksenija Ninić

As tradition, Holy mass on the eve before st. John the Baptist's day, was led by Archbishop of Vrhbosna metropolit Vinko cardinal Puljić. On the solemnity of st. John, main pilgrim mass was led by OFM Pavo Filipović, manager of Croatian Catholic mission in Aachen, Germany.

The program of celebrations in one of the largest pilgrimage and religious sites in BiH that is visited by young and old, healthy and sick, and people of different faiths and nations, began with the worship service in the afternoon of June 23rd. Then the statue of St. John was taken out to be carried in the procession and cardinal Puljić celebrated the holy mass and blessed the water from the miraculous spring Mrtvalj.
The Archbishop of Vrhbosna spoke in his sermon about the current problems and events in society and linked them with the life and work of St. John the Baptist.
During the Eucharist, prayer was also said for the sick.
After the Mass, the Way of cross was organized on mount Grabež, and then a prayer-meditative program was organized with the blessing of the St. John’s fire.
At the feast on the 24th of June, early in the morning, dozens of priests gave holy confessions to the pilgrims arriving. Among them was the Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena OFM Jozo Marinčić.
The central concelebrated Eucharist was celebrated by OFM Pavo, head of the Croatian Catholic Mission in Aachen. In his sermon he talked about the life of St. John and his martyrdom, but also about the love and joy that he has been spreading during his life.
Celebrations of St. John was also attended by representatives of political life. Among them were Marinko Čavara, President of the Federation of BiH, Lidija Bradar, Chairman of the House of Peoples of the Parliament of FBiH, and Milijan Brkić, Vice-President of the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia.
Sanctuary of St. John the Baptist in Podmilačje, today is considered the largest non-Marian sanctuary in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many believers also prayed this year and as a vow to the mighty protector St. John, walked for more than 100 km to be before and on the day of celebration at his shrine in Podmilačje.
St. John’s day is the most important summer Church celebration. Some call it "Summer Christmas". The rich folklore content associated with this feast is connected to the summer solstice, the longest day and the shortest night, that is. The tradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina is that on the night before St. John’s day the bonfires are lit.