Jadransko more, rute i luke u ranom srednjem veku prema hagiografskim izvorima (Jadranski putevi svetitelja i relikvija u ranom srednjem veku)

Abstract

Although modest in numbers narratives concerning the life of saints and translation of their relics, present in Adriatic during the early Christian and early medieval time, are important testimonies of the vivid relations between Adriatic and other Mediterranean ports. They also confirm perdurance of the ancient maritime routes. The first examined record is related to the group of Christians came from Italy to Durrës at the beginning of the 2nd c, in order to avoid Trajan persecution. Important testimony on the absence of Christians at the second half of 4th c. is opserved in the Vita of St. Hilarion, who came from Sicily to Epidaurus (near Dubrovnik), looking for the peaceful refuge. On the other hand, Christianity came in Apulia by the Sea, when St. Leuco debark in Brindisi on his voyage from Alexandria. It was, as well, possible to retrace migrations of the saints’ relics from Pannonia and Dalmatia in Rome and Constantinople, when due to the barbaric invasions refugees from the destroyed cities carried them away on the safer places. In the 6th c, during the Justinian reconquest, the transfer of the relics from the byzantine capital in the important Adriatic ports, such as Ravenna and Siponto, are recorded. Similar process happened at the begging of the 9th century, when most of the Adriatic re-entered in the byzantine political sphere. It was in that peculiar moment that the relics of St. Anastasia were brought to Zadar, of St. Tryphon to Kotor, and of the prophet Zaccaria to Venice.