Marking 720 years since the first written mention of the settlement of Janjevo

Source: Kosovo Online

In Janjevo today, 720 years have been marked since the first written mention of the settlement of this place and the arrival of the first Croats, and the mass in the Church of St. Nicholas was attended by a large number of natives, as well as those who came specially from Croatia to celebrate this holiday.

The mass was also attended by Catholic priests, Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Grlic Radman, his colleague from Kosovo, Donika Gervalla, representatives of the diplomatic corps and Kosovo institutions, as well as Croatian soldiers in the KFOR mission.

Parish priest Don Matej Palic did not hide his satisfaction and happiness that the mass went in the best order, as well as the fact that a large number of people gathered today in Janjevo to celebrate 720 years since the arrival of Croats in the parish of St. Nicholas.

"Today's celebration has brought together many of our Janjevo residents. I thank everyone for coming. We are the oldest diaspora. I am filled with joy that everything went well and in peace. Janjevo is full, and memories are coming back. That is the greatest success of this celebration," Don Matej said.

Marko Filic, originally from Letnica near Vitina, came with his relatives today to attend the celebration of more than seven centuries since the arrival of Croats in Janjevo.

"I am honored to be here today. Our roots come from here. I was drawn to come, nine of us from Bjelovar came to Janjevo," Filic said.

Natalija Matosic and her husband came from Zagreb today after 18 years.

"It is very important that we are here today, especially for the 720th anniversary of our parish. Although we left this place in 1965 and moved to Zagreb, it always means a lot to come back. The last time I was here was in 2005. Janjevo has changed a lot, it is sad, and it brings tears to my eyes. Unfortunately, these are the times we live in," Matosic said.

Smiljan Tomkic walked 720 kilometers in honor of the 720th anniversary of the parish of St. Nicholas.

"We walked 720 kilometers for 720 years of the parish of St. Nicholas. The journey was easy. We arrived two days ago. Being in Janjevo is a very nice feeling," Tomkic said briefly.

Croats have been living in Janjevo since the 14th century, which makes them the oldest Croatian diaspora. The first written mention of Janjevo dates back to 1303 when Pope Benedict XII mentioned Janjevo as the center of the Catholic parish of St. Nicholas.

The Janjevo event was secured by the Kosovo Police.