Of saints and death by Lions

Once upon a time there was a lovely young girl called Euphemia who was born around 290 AD, and became a Christian. Emperor Diocletian, (you know the guy from Split) was outraged by both her choice of religion and her commitment to remaining a virgin, and had her tortured mercilessly before being thrown to the lions (common practice with Christians) in 304. (Goodness, do the maths there – she was only 14!! Teens just get so committed to causes!) Her body was later taken to Constantinople where it remained until 800.
One dark stormy night, the body disappeared from its place in Constantinople, only to reappear off the coast of Rovinj in a spectral# boat! The townspeople were unable to budge the heavy sarcophagus until a small boy appeared with two cows (also spectral) and told the townspeople that the saint had appeared to him in a dream. The sarcophagus was then dragged to the top of the hill and placed in the small church of St George – and is now sitting in the beautiful church of St Euphemia which replaced St George in the 1700s.

Each anniversary of the 16th of September, devotees congregate at the church of St Euphemia*.

And although it wasn’t the 16th of September today, there were plenty of people who climbed their way to the top of the hill in Rovinj to touch the sarcophagus and offer prayers.

Now, here’s the thing – we walked up that hill, up the cobbled path to the church. We have also seen the size of the marble tomb of St Euphemia, and for the record, getting it into the church would have been no mean feat. I leave that thought with you. I would suggest that it would have taken more than a young boy with a vision.

In the meantime though, this young saint has the responsibility of the welfare of the town of Rovinj.

Many young girls have been given the name of Euphemia, and a bronze representation of her sits atop the 60 m bell tower on a rotating base as a weather vane.

Note – *St Euphemia is the largest baroque building in Istria - it is a magnificent church in size and adornment. But what was it with lions and Christians???
# Spectral means ghostly.
The last photos here are of the external chimneys that I mentioned in my last blog, and a beautifully decorated wedding boat in the harbour! Next time I get married I will do it here!!