NIN NIN, Sept 11 (Hina) - On Saturday, Croatia marked the 1120th anniversary of the exchange of letters between Croatia's Prince Branimir and Pope John VIII.
NIN, Sept 11 (Hina) - On Saturday, Croatia marked the 1120th
anniversary of the exchange of letters between Croatia's Prince
Branimir and Pope John VIII. #L#
The central ceremony was held in the coastal town of Nin, where a
solemn mass was held on this occasion.
In 879 Croatia's Prince Branimir definitely directed the helm of
Croatia's statehood - and together with Bishop of Nin, Teodozije,
(the helm) of the Church in Croatia - toward the Catholicism and the
Western religious, cultural and historical orientation,
participants in the mass said.
On Saturday, Nin and entire Croatia also marked the 20th
anniversary of Branimir's Year in the town of Nin - a magnificent
gathering of Catholic believers who flocked that Dalmatian town in
1979 to celebrate 1100 years of the continuos faithfulness to the
Apostolic See.
Today's Mass was conducted by Vatican's Nuncio to Croatia, Msgr.
Giulio Einaudi, whereas the sermon was preached by Cardinal Franjo
Kuharic.
The letter of Pope John VIII forwarded to Branimir in 879 was read at
the beginning of today's service. In the letter the Pope gave his
blessing to Croatia's Prince and people. At that time Croatia had
been listed in Vatican's books as an independent and sovereign
state. said Cardinal Kuharic.
During the Mass, Msgr. Einaudi also read a letter of Pope John Paul
II sent to Archbishop of Zadar, Ivan Prendja, on this occasion.
Present at the Mass were about 10,000 believers, many Catholic
dignitaries, officials of Zadar County as well as representatives
of the Croatian Army and police.
(hina) ms