February 3, 2019 - Kotor celebrates St. Tryphon's Day today, the day of the patron saint of Kotor and Kotor’s Diocese, whose cult has been present in this area for 1,210 years.
St. Tryphon was born in Campsada (Asia Minor) in the then Roman province of Apamea, in the Christian family. The respect of this saint began after the martyrdom death in Nice, where he was tried before the prefect of all Asia Minor of Aquileia (during the reign of the Roman emperor Decius). The body of St. Tryphon after his death was transferred to Campsada, from there to Constantinople and from Constantinople to Kotor.
Today, on St. Tryphon’s Day, the guard near the power is kept by the sailors of the Boka Navy.
According to Kotor's parish priest General Vicar of Kotor’s diocese don Anton Belan, this is an opportunity to revive the historical moments and memories of this important event, not only for the city of Kotor but also for the history of today's Montenegro.
"To be a Christian never and even today was not easy. St. Tryphon's torture was not easy, it deserves our respect for the present day. And this year among us will be pilgrims from the environment," Belan said.
The Pontifical Mass at 10.30am this year was served by the bishop of Sibenik monsignor Tomislav Rogic, accompanied by pilgrims from Sibenik, and a performance by the church choir of the Sibenik cathedral.
"It is a good idea that Kotor also confirms traditional hospitality and shows itself in its beauty, which certainly will not be left indifferent to those who see it for the first time. What is St. Vlaho for Dubrovnik, and St. Duje for Split is the same and untapped as St. Tryphon for Kotor. We are therefore called to revive the historical memory of him and above all to follow him in the Christian virtues that are universal and contained in Christ's command: "Love God above all, and your neighbor as yourself," Belan said.
Before the celebrations of the patron saint of the town and the Diocese of Kotor, the holiday of the candlestick, or Kandelora, was celebrated yesterday.
Saint Tryphon's Cathedral, Copyright: Radio Kotor In the full cathedral of St. Tryphon, the Evening Mass and the contemplation of holy powers began at 6 pm according to the ancient rule of the 16th century.
Six Catholics and six Orthodox believers participated, who during the reading or singing lessons from the Mariology of St. Tryphon wearing cunning men on the main altar, laid down the sacred powers.
The Boka Navy alongside relics keeps the guard at the same time.
In the words of the Vicar General of the Bishopric of Kotor, Don Anton Belan is probably about a unique preserved custom in the Christian world.
"This is also a nice example of respect and expression of the glory of the celebration of the East and the West. This custom, which represents ecumenism in action, was restored in 2000," don Belan recalled.
After the Holy Mass at the cathedral of Tryphon, a solemn procession takes place in the streets of the Old Town of Kotor, ending this year's St. Tryphon’s celebration.
