The Hill of Crosses – Kryžių kalnas is a site of pilgrimage about 12 km north of the city of Šiauliai, in northern Lithuania. Over the centuries, not only crosses, but giant crucifixes, carvings of Lithuanian patriots, statues of the Virgin Mary and thousands of tiny effigies and rosaries have been brought here by Catholic pilgrims. The exact number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 55,000 in 1990 and 100,000 in 2006.
The history of Siauliai goes back to 1236. The city was occupied by Teutonic Knights during the 14th century which heralded the beginning of more than six centuries of repression of national identity and religion. In 1795, Siauliai was incorporated into Russia but was returned to Lithuania in 1918. Germany captured the city in World War II but Russia retook it at the war’s end. From 1944 until Lithuania’s independence in 1991, Siauliai was a part of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic of the USSR.
During all these years of national and religious repression, the Hill of Crosses served as a symbol of freedom and hope. The Christian crosses were repeatedly removed by the Soviets who went so far as to level the hill, burn the crosses or turn them into scrap metal, and then cover the area with waste and sewage. These desecrations took place in 1961, 1973, and 1975. After each desecration, the local residents and pilgrims from all over Lithuania rapidly replaced the crosses on the sacred hill.
The story of the Hill of Crosses, and the determination of the Lithuanian people to preserve their nationality and religious freedom, spread rapidly about the world.
This humble hill has become a symbol of man’s determination to be free and to worship his God. We marveled at the size, variety and number of crosses. Crosses have been placed by pilgrims from all around the world. We left our small mark, a cross in memory of one of our loved ones, on that hill-in recognition of and respect for the deep, undying faith and determination of the people of Siauliai, Lithuania.
The history of Siauliai goes back to 1236. The city was occupied by Teutonic Knights during the 14th century which heralded the beginning of more than six centuries of repression of national identity and religion. In 1795, Siauliai was incorporated into Russia but was returned to Lithuania in 1918. Germany captured the city in World War II but Russia retook it at the war’s end. From 1944 until Lithuania’s independence in 1991, Siauliai was a part of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic of the USSR.
During all these years of national and religious repression, the Hill of Crosses served as a symbol of freedom and hope. The Christian crosses were repeatedly removed by the Soviets who went so far as to level the hill, burn the crosses or turn them into scrap metal, and then cover the area with waste and sewage. These desecrations took place in 1961, 1973, and 1975. After each desecration, the local residents and pilgrims from all over Lithuania rapidly replaced the crosses on the sacred hill.
The story of the Hill of Crosses, and the determination of the Lithuanian people to preserve their nationality and religious freedom, spread rapidly about the world.
This humble hill has become a symbol of man’s determination to be free and to worship his God. We marveled at the size, variety and number of crosses. Crosses have been placed by pilgrims from all around the world. We left our small mark, a cross in memory of one of our loved ones, on that hill-in recognition of and respect for the deep, undying faith and determination of the people of Siauliai, Lithuania.
Nhận xét
Đăng nhận xét