The Patriarchal Exarchate of Lithuania successfully organised a one-day pilgrimage to the historic city of Kaunas on Saturday, 4 July, bringing together faithful from Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda.
The first destination of the pilgrimage was the historic Monastery of Our Lady of Pažaislis, one of Lithuania’s most significant spiritual and architectural landmarks. Before the monastery’s wonderworking icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, the faithful prayerfully celebrated the Akathist Hymn and the Supplicatory Canon (Paraklesis) to the Mother of God. Hymns and prayers were offered in Greek, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and Church Slavonic, beautifully expressing the unity of Orthodoxy through the richness of its diverse languages and traditions.
The pilgrims then toured the historic monastery, learning about its rich history and enduring spiritual importance to the Lithuanian people.
The group continued to the historic centre of Kaunas, where they visited the imposing Church of the Resurrection of Christ and its impressive bell tower, from which they enjoyed panoramic views of the city. They also visited the historic Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, one of the most important monuments of medieval Kaunas, before exploring the picturesque streets of the Old Town and discovering the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
The pilgrimage concluded in an atmosphere of spiritual joy, Christian fellowship, and thanksgiving to the Triune God for His abundant blessings. The participants returned to their respective parishes spiritually renewed, offering heartfelt prayers for the health and many years of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, while expressing their love, devotion, and gratitude to the Mother Church of Constantinople.
