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RATARSKE SVEĆE KOJE "NE PLAČU" This is the famous candle pouring tradition in Tronoša, respecting an old tradition
LOZNICA – On Maundy Thursday, in the seven-century-old Tronoša monastery, in the monastery church dedicated to the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God, large farming candles will be lit. As tradition dictates this week, both candles will be poured, one in Tronoša, with parishioners from Korenita and Tršić participating, and the other in Zajača, as a contribution from the residents of that mining town, Paskovac, and part of Gornja Borina. In Zajača, the candle is poured on Tuesday and covered on Wednesday, while in Tronoša, both tasks are performed a day later.
TL;DR
- Large farming candles are poured annually in the Tronoša monastery for Maundy Thursday.
- The tradition involves parishioners from Korenita, Tršić, Zajača, Paskovac, and Gornja Borina.
- The candles are made of pure wax, weigh about 50 kg, and are about 1.5 meters tall.
- Old wax is melted and added to new wax for each new candle.
- These candles are known as 'oračke' or 'ratarske' (farming/plowing candles) and are believed to ensure good harvests.
- The custom is considered part of Serbia's intangible cultural heritage since 2012.
- The tradition has been maintained for centuries, even through wars and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A characteristic of these candles is that they do not drip, or as folk say, they do not 'cry'.