Slide 1

Christianity in Lithuania In 1200, while much of Europe had already converted to Christianity, Lithuania was still pagan. Lithuanians believed fire embodies the divine. In 1251, to protect the state from enemy Lithuanian King Mindaugas agreed to be baptized. This year is considered the official introduction of Christianity in Lithuania. Christianisation of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania took place in 1387, initiated by the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Jogaila. That signified the official adoption of Christianity by Lithuanians, the last pagan nation in Europe. Slide 2 St. Anne's Church, Vilnius Old Town Slide 3 The Cathedral of Vilnius Slide 4 The Gate of Dawn in Vilnius The painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Gate of Dawn is the only one in Lithuania so widely known for miraculous recoveries and other graces and visited by pilgrims from many countries. The Blessed Virgin Mary of the Gate of Dawn is considered a guardian of Lithuania. Four peoples and two religious confessions come together to worship her: Lithuanians, Poles, Byelorussians and Russians, Catholics and Orthodox. Slide 5 Churches in Alytus Slide 6 Hill of Crosses Slide 7 The Hill of Crosses - a site of pilgrimage in northern Lithuania The origin of these thousands of crosses here still remains a mystery, though most people believe it must have occurred after the uprising and rebellion in the year 1831, when people fought against the then ruling Tsarist government which did not respect their wishes of honoring their God. Slide 8 Number of crosses 1900 - 130 1902 - 155 1922 - 50 1938 - over 400 1961 - 5,000 1975 - 1,200 1990 - 55,000 2006 - over 100,000 Slide 9 The Hill of Crosses has seen a lot of damages throughout its lifetime. It was rebuilt and damaged and again brought to its current condition. The crosses made of wood were burnt many times and these made of metal or stone were broken to bits and buried by the Soviet government. There were even times when Soviet militia blocked the pathways and roads leading to the Hill of Crosses. Soviets were not happy about the national self expression demonstrated in this saint place.