biskup Jordan Zaninović Donkić

• 20 Sep 1862 Ordained Priest Priest of Order of Friars Preachers
• 24 Oct 1902 Selected Bishop of Hvar (-Brac e Vis), Croatia
• 10 Feb 1903 Confirmed
• 19 Apr 1903 Ordained
• 22 Oct 1917 Died MEMORIES OF FATHER JORDAN ZANINOVIĆ Written by Dinko Politeo. Published in the newspaper "Hrvatska" in 1902

"Since 1870-71 when I had the fortune to get to know better Father Jordan Zaninović I could not understand how there were so many vacant Bishop's positions available in Dalmatia, how so many bishops were appointed and moved and yet no one glanced at that priest with so much knowledge and Godliness. When Archbishop Rajčević died, I read in the Vienna newspaper "Information that Dominican father Jordan Zaninović was invited to fill his position.

The reason he became a bishop so late in life can be attributed to his great humility. Zaninović only lived for monastic life and books. Those that had the opportunity to meet him looked upon him with respect and admiration.

Since Zaninović wrote Italian poetry some believed that he was Italianised. That is not the truth. Which political side does Zaninović belong to? Not one. Zaninović never got involved with politics. What nationality is Zaninović? Even here I can only give one answer. He is Croatian. He is not only Croatian by birth, but also in mind, actions and spirit. He couldn't be anything else. Zaninović's Grandfather was born in the village of Selca. An unknown village between Starigrad and the town of Hvar.It was closer to Starigrad. In that village, which only some years ago it did not have a Church or a parish priest nobody in it could understand a word of Italian. And of course neither did Zaninovich's grandfather.

His grandfather then moved from Selca to Starigrad and settled there as a labourer. Zaninovich's father was also a labourer and as well owned and worked some plots of land. Even though he was a peasant he was well off and refined. This can be evidenced by the fact that he raised a sone to be a priest who completed his studies in Rome, was a teacher in Split's high school and became a lecturer in theology. Zaninovich's father was ranked as one of the most intelligent men in the village. Every young man from Starigrad who desired to study in Split wanted to have a letter of inroduction to father Zaninovich. They always went to Zaninovich's father, Dinko (Domenico) for a letter of introduction. Dinko Zaninovich, although not conceted, clung to these customs.

When I heard the news about Zaninovich's elevation to a Bishop someone from Starigrad said to me, "what a shame that his parents are not alive". I last saw his old mother about this time seven years ago. What struck me was her grey hair but she kept her attractive and intelligent looks. She died, if I am not wrong, about three years ago and did not live to cry in happiness at hearing the news that her son was a Bishop. Yes she would have cried with pride and happiness, her words would have only been in Croatian and her neighbours and friends would have congratulated her in Croatian. I believe that she would not have been prepared to shift with him to the town of Hvar but that her son would have bern proud to visit her humble but neat and tidy home in Starigrad."

• 20 Sep 1862 Ordained Priest Priest of Order of Friars Preachers
• 24 Oct 1902 Selected Bishop of Hvar (-Brac e Vis), Croatia
• 10 Feb 1903 Confirmed
• 19 Apr 1903 Ordained
• 22 Oct 1917 Died

MEMORIES OF FATHER JORDAN ZANINOVIĆ Written by Dinko Politeo. Published in the newspaper "Hrvatska" in 1902

"Since 1870-71 when I had the fortune to get to know better Father Jordan Zaninović I could not understand how there were so many vacant Bishop's positions available in Dalmatia, how so many bishops were appointed and moved and yet no one glanced at that priest with so much knowledge and Godliness. When Archbishop Rajčević died, I read in the Vienna newspaper "Information that Dominican father Jordan Zaninović was invited to fill his position.

The reason he became a bishop so late in life can be attributed to his great humility. Zaninović only lived for monastic life and books. Those that had the opportunity to meet him looked upon him with respect and admiration.

Since Zaninović wrote Italian poetry some believed that he was Italianised. That is not the truth. Which political side does Zaninović belong to? Not one. Zaninović never got involved with politics. What nationality is Zaninović? Even here I can only give one answer. He is Croatian. He is not only Croatian by birth, but also in mind, actions and spirit. He couldn't be anything else. Zaninović's Grandfather was born in the village of Selca. An unknown village between Starigrad and the town of Hvar.It was closer to Starigrad. In that village, which only some years ago it did not have a Church or a parish priest nobody in it could understand a word of Italian. And of course neither did Zaninovich's grandfather.

His grandfather then moved from Selca to Starigrad and settled there as a labourer. Zaninovich's father was also a labourer and as well owned and worked some plots of land. Even though he was a peasant he was well off and refined. This can be evidenced by the fact that he raised a sone to be a priest who completed his studies in Rome, was a teacher in Split's high school and became a lecturer in theology. Zaninovich's father was ranked as one of the most intelligent men in the village. Every young man from Starigrad who desired to study in Split wanted to have a letter of inroduction to father Zaninovich. They always went to Zaninovich's father, Dinko (Domenico) for a letter of introduction. Dinko Zaninovich, although not conceted, clung to these customs.

When I heard the news about Zaninovich's elevation to a Bishop someone from Starigrad said to me, "what a shame that his parents are not alive". I last saw his old mother about this time seven years ago. What struck me was her grey hair but she kept her attractive and intelligent looks. She died, if I am not wrong, about three years ago and did not live to cry in happiness at hearing the news that her son was a Bishop. Yes she would have cried with pride and happiness, her words would have only been in Croatian and her neighbours and friends would have congratulated her in Croatian. I believe that she would not have been prepared to shift with him to the town of Hvar but that her son would have bern proud to visit her humble but neat and tidy home in Starigrad."