Following the Cross Procession: Meet the Crossbearers – Ivica (Ivo) Ivanković From Vrisnik

We continue the series of interviews done by Vilma Stojković from Hvar / Unesco website with the crossbearers. Vrisnik is next.

 

Ivica (Ivo) Ivanković – Crossbearer for Vrisnik in 2016.

 

(photo: Vilma Stojković)

 

Ivo (39) signed up for carrying the Cross 18 years ago out of his free will. When the Cross was carried for the first time in his family in 1995 for this parish, Ivo sang Our Lady´s Tears for the first time. The oldest musical notation of the Our Lady´s Tears is actually kept in this parish. We entered the Holy Week, on Palm Sunday Ivo´s obligations as crossbearer started, he is responsible for carrying the Cross and will carry out his duties for the whole years until the next Easter.

Today, Ivo lives with his wife and children in Jelsa and visits Vrisnik often. Around 150 people live in Vrisnik and when asked about whether he fears that the tradition of the procession could stop, he says, he would not worry about that, as there are people already signed up for the next 15 years to carry the Cross.

 

(photo: Vilma Stojković)

 

He vowed to peace and health of his family. His wife and friends and locals from Vrisnik help with preparations, women make cakes, preparing the church, while others help financially, everyone according to his abilities. The less people live in a village, the more will come for dinner and gatherings, because during Lent these are the only social activities of a small place like this.

 

Ivo is proud that he will carry the Cross and he consider it to be a great honour, but also a reflection of a deep faith. To carry it at least for one night. The one, who is carrying him his whole life. When asked, if he plans to sign up his 1,5 year old son for carrying the cross, he says there was no way he would do such thing, as it is a decision, which everyone has to make by himself as reflection of faith and not just as a pure tradition preserving. The tradition without faith does not mean anything. This local-patriot has a desire to convey the faith to his offspring, whether they will carry the Cross or not is less important.

 

(photo: Vilma Stojković)

 

Ivo will walk in socks and as a custom in Vrisnik says, only someone who already carried the Cross can assist the current crossbearer. He hopes, that by carrying the Cross, he will enter a new dimension of joy in life.