Parish Church of Sts. Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia
Parish Church of Sts. Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia
- First mention: The church was first documented in 1310.
- Main altar motif: The central altar painting depicts the martyrdom of Saints Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia in the Roman Colosseum in 303 AD. The painting was created by Ermenegildo de Troya in 1914. The patrons of Grožnjan are celebrated on June 15.
- Blaise Altar: Dedicated to St. Blaise, the protector of throats, whom the Grožnjan honoured as their co-patron on February 3. This altar holds a privilege of perpetual indulgence granted by a special papal decree from 1801 by Pope Pius VII. After finding refuge with his frigate “Belona” in the Tarska Bay in 1800, the Pope elevated Grožnjan’s clergy and chaplains, raising the parish of Grožnjan to a collegiate church.
- Organ: The church houses the Girardi from 1846 for summer concerts.
- Choir stalls: Beside the main altar are carved choir stalls from the Renaissance era (1711), an example of art inspired by folk traditions.
- Original dedication: Initially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the church was later dedicated to Saints Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia after the people of Grožnjan prayed for protection from the plague.
- Blessed Francesco Bonifacio: He was a friend of Fr. Rok in Grožnjan, where he made his last confession before his martyrdom.
- Monstrance: An 18th-century monstrance is a precious piece of sacred heritage preserved in the parish.
Holy Mass
- Sundays at 5:00 pm during wintertime and at 6:00 pm during summertime.
Let us pray:
Lord, through the intercession of your holy martyrs Vitus, Crescentia, and Modestus, grant that we may not act arrogantly but advance in the humility dear to You. Help us to hate all that is disordered and perform all good works in the freedom of Your love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
