On Easter morning every year, an Easter breakfast is organized on the main square. Here you can find everything to eat, ham, eggs, onions, scones (sweet bread), fritters (a local dough specialty) and of course everything to drink, from white and red wine to juices and water for the youngest.
Of course, many families come in old folk costumes, and even dress up small children in them.
More eager are young men dressed in the uniforms of Roman soldiers who, according to tradition, guard Christ's tomb during Holy Week.
This custom in Croatia is most widespread in Dalmatia, and its roots date back to the 19th century.
The Žudije (guardians of Christ's tomb) are, as a group, composed of 12 guards led by the commander, i.e. 'Judas' as the thirteenth member, and apart from the Roman uniform, they know how to dress in national costume.
The staging itself begins on Maundy Thursday with going to the altar of the local church, then the pilgrims take turns in pairs and keep vigil until midnight from Maundy Saturday to Easter, when they fall to the floor in fear and run away after the resurrection of Jesus.
All interested boys from eight to twelve years of age can join the service of Žudi, if they are not shorter than one and a half maces. The meaning of the very word "buzboja", so called leaders crave is also interesting. Namely, he got his name from the weapon he carries and which he uses to issue commands to the other guards, and he is always at the head of the column, followed by other soldiers (guardians of Christ's tomb).
In our place, it is an honor to be a judge and families whose children are judges (guardians of Christ's tomb) are very proud but of course also pious and regularly go to church, and later when the house is blessed before Christmas they go with the priest to the houses and bless them.
At the same time, a small amount is donated as much as possible for the church and for the children who accompany the priest.
Then the children give each family a Catholic calendar on which all the events that happen throughout the year are written, a dedicated sticker for the year when the blessing was made and of course the house smells nice with thyme.
In 2012, Vodički žudiji celebrated their 100th anniversary of existence.
Of course, once a year there is also a festival of zudi (guardians of Christ's tomb) and then they gather from several cities where these customs were still held and then it is wonderful.
A depiction of what it looks like when the jesus (guardians of Christ's tomb) fall exactly at midnight when Jesus is resurrected.