This is the legendary story of the legends of Podgorje and the incredible feat of acquiring holy relics, in which the people of Podgorje demonstrated remarkable perseverance and inventiveness. Given their faithfulness and determination, it could even be said that they 'stole the show,' both literally and metaphorically, from the people of Makarska!
Saint Vincent, a Roman legionary, was an early Christian martyr who refused to renounce his faith in Christ. He endured martyrdom, believed to have occurred around the same time as Saint Lawrence, approximately in the year 258. In her book Saint Vincent the Martyr – From Rome to Podgora, Smiljan Šund writes: 'Plagues and troubles seemed endless. As devout believers, the people of Podgorje were certain that having a heavenly protector to intercede on their behalf before God would help them. Yes, the parish church was dedicated to All Saints, and it was first mentioned in 1603.
It was believed that All Saints provided powerful protection, but the people of Podgorje wished to have relics and a saint in their church. But how could they acquire holy relics? There was no store where they could be bought. The people of Podgorje consulted with their learned men, mostly priests, but no priest was able to find a solution. Young Ivan Pavlinović from Podgora tried during his studies in the Italian town of Loreto, from 1770 to 1778, but he failed. Later, even as a prominent church figure, a double doctor, and later an archdeacon, he could not help his native Podgora. However, the people of Podgorje were persistent and united in their search for holy relics. All the priests of Podgorje were engaged, inquiring far and wide. It was the Makarska canon and vicar, Don Lovre Pavlinović, a fellow Podgoran, who learned that something could be done—that there was a possibility of acquiring relics. He knew that his friend, canon Don Grgur Pavlović, had the body of Saint Vincent in his private chapel. So, he came up with a plan: he arranged with the parish priest of Podgora, Don Šimun Pavlinović, for a delegation of Podgorje residents to go to Makarska to ask canon Pavlović to gift them the holy body.
Pope Pius VI. gifted the body of Saint Vincent to the Makarska canon, Don Ivan Josip Pavlinović, in 1790, with the 'privilege that he could also gift it to another.' He bequeathed all his property, including the body of Saint Vincent, to his brother Don Grgur, also a canon. At the request of Don Lovre Pavlinović, Don Grgur Pavlinović, in turn, gifted the martyr's body to the people of Podgorje, on the condition that every year, a holy mass be read on the altar of Saint Vincent for the soul of his late brother Don Ivan.
They devised a plan and set off on their quest. On August 26, 1831, around 1 a.m., the people of Podgorje, using small boats and quiet footsteps, cunningly stole the holy bones from the people of Makarska. Overcome with joy and singing devout hymns, Saint Vincent embarked on his journey toward Podgorje, reportedly bringing with him the head and bones of Saint Vincent.
However, the story doesn't end here. The people of Podgorje decided to protect Saint Vincent, as one should protect a holy relic, fearing that it might once again fall into the hands of the people of Makarska. They even established a strong guard to ensure that the saint would remain in their church.
This saga of the 'stolen bones' of Saint Vincent from the people of Makarska is truly a unique blend of religious devotion, humorous twists, and incredible feats that have been recorded in history.
Today, the body of Saint Vincent is kept in the monumental Church of All Saints, and his feast attracts believers and pilgrims from all over, which only proves how this incredible story has left a lasting mark on the Podgora community. The feast of Saint Vincent is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Assumption of the Virgin Mary; on this day, the saint's body is displayed for the faithful to see. Although the people of Makarska still joke, even today, that the Podgorje residents are 'Vincentian thieves,' the feast of the miraculous Saint Vincent has been attracting believers and pilgrims to Podgora for almost two centuries, not only from the Makarska Riviera but also from the Dalmatian hinterland, the Neretva Valley, Herzegovina, and even from Bosnia.
'The people of Makarska also came to the feast of Saint Vincent. And what could they do? They had to make peace – he was ours! The whole of Podgora would be full of people coming for the celebration. And they would sing: 'My mother, wrap me in the holy, in Podgora to Saint Vincent.' This is no ordinary celebration; this is pure chaos in the best possible way! Every year, on the eve of Saint Vincent's Day, the celebration in Podgora begins with a story that will leave you breathless – a regatta in honor of the great 'theft' of the bones! Yes, you read that right, bones are at play! But don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds.
The celebration lasts for three days, and it's like a movie marathon you don't want to miss. In the afternoon, with organized transport, both guests and locals can attend the Holy Mass and the Unveiling of Saint Vincent's tomb, a unique experience when, after a year, the priest reveals the spot where Saint Vincent’s depiction is kept. After the Holy Mass, the adventure continues with the discovery of the secrets and magic of the village of Podgora, where art and history dance together. The folkloric dance of the Cultural and Artistic Society Milan Kurtić, a guided tour, an art workshop – it’s all here!
And then, the Sunday awakening... sweet, sweeter, the sweetest! The town band becomes the alarm that wakes us up and calls us to spend the day at the feast of Saint Vincent and attend the solemn concelebrated Holy Mass at the Church of All Saints in the village of Podgora. After the Holy Mass, the Folklore Ensemble Drašnice once again delights us with their performance and leads us to the celebration in the village, where the aroma of roasted lamb and fritters fills the air. There is no shortage of food and drinks. Everyone sings together, socializing, both old and young.
'Sunday was the day with the most people. Along those stairs that lead to Laz – you couldn't pass by without brushing against another person, there were so many people. It was a wonder of crowds. At times, there were 10,000 people.'
But wait, there’s more. For years, a traditional boat parade has been organized, which 'takes out' all the boats from the harbor and leads them on a short panoramic ride through our Podgora. The sky changes color from the large amount of sparklers, and the locals on the shore, with bells ringing, pots clanging, and waving, greet our sailors. There is no one whose eyes aren’t focused on the sea at that moment.
And then, the highlight of it all – a big concert on the wing of Galeb, where the music stretches late into the night. The story continues the day after Saint Vincent’s feast, when, in the Church of All Saints, the Holy Mass for the Closing of Saint Vincent’s Tomb takes place. The program leads us to the cherry on top of Saint Vincent’s Day, at the Podgora Promenade, organized by the KUD Milan Kurtić! Newlyweds in traditional attire pass through the village, bringing back memories of old customs that we must never forget. And there, beneath the arch, we sing together, with hearts full of joy and happiness. Have you ever wanted to crash a wedding uninvited? In Podgora, you can! A wedding where everyone is invited!
So, dear friends, come and join us in this wild whirlpool of joy, where history, faith, tradition, and pure, crazy fun go hand in hand! Podgora awaits you with open arms and a full heart!
