Bishop Nikola Bijanković, Servant of God

Bishop Nikola Bijanković was not only a high-ranking church dignitary but a true leader of the people. Because of his selflessness, even the Ottomans considered him a "man of God." In the collective memory of the inhabitants of the Makarska Riviera, he remains known to this day as "the Blessed Bijanković."

Silver for grain
His devotion was most evident during times of crisis. Records from 1724 testify that, in an effort to alleviate widespread famine, he procured grain by pawning all his silverware—including two of his own chalices.

Builder and military chaplain
As a military chaplain, he participated in the liberation of Sinj, Herceg Novi, and the Neretva region during the Morean War. Following the heroic defense of Sinj in 1715, he expressed his gratitude by building the Church of Our Lady of Victory (today the Church of Our Lady of Carmel) in Brela.

Legends of spiritual strength and miracles
Local tradition in Brela preserves fascinating stories about his life:

The encounter with bandits: Upon learning that six bandits planned to assassinate him, he calmly awaited them in the Oratory of Brela, dressed in his finest ceremonial robes. When they arrived, he simply asked, "Whom do you seek?" The attackers were so intimidated by his authority and peace that they fled without a trace.

Protector under the "Terrible cliff" (Strašna kosa): To protect the people of Brela from potential rockfalls from the cliff known as Strašna kosa, the Bishop rode his donkey into a cave beneath the precipice and placed holy relics there to guard the village.

Rice on the shore: Folk memory also recalls the unusual image of the Bishop "sowing rice along the shore," a gesture symbolizing his care for the fertility and survival of this rugged karst land.

Two graves
Following his death, the Bishop was buried in St. Mark's Cathedral in Makarska, with the humble inscription on his tomb: "Dust, ashes, and nothing." However, according to the customs of the time and reflecting his special bond with Brela, his internal organs were interred in a small grave in front of the main altar of the Church of Our Lady of Carmel in Soline.

Miraculous healings
Immediately after his passing, Don Eugen Vusio of Makarska recorded the testimonies of 125 living persons regarding miraculous healings that occurred through the intercession of the late Bishop, confirming his status as a saint among the people.