Subject: Lithuania's Hill of Crosses
Thought this was so interesting and amazing... something I had never heard of before. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
link to 'fun & facts': http://www.faithandfacts.com/christianity/lithuania%e2%80%99s-hill-of-crosses/
The Hill of Crosses, Kryziu Kalnas, in the city of Siauliai, Lithuania stands on a
small hill, about 10 meters tall.
The tradition of leaving crosses began after an uprising of the Polish and Lithuanians against the Russian tsar was squelched in 1831.
Relatives of the dead rebels, with no bodies to bury, instead left crosses on this hill to commemorate their fallen.
Today there are about 200,000 crosses at the site, excluding carvings and shrines, made out of everything from wood to metal.
During the Soviet occupation of Lithuania from 1944 to 1991, the Hill of Crosses became a symbol of defiance against the Communist
regime.
Three times the Soviets bulldozed the hill, but after each time both locals and pilgrims once again would erect crosses on the hill.
Today, the crosses number in the hundred of thousands. This place attracts both locals and tourists.
Walking among numerous crosses, some decorated with devotion to
loved ones, one can hear the rosaries rattle in the wind. This little
hillock has long been a potent symbol of suffering, hope, devotion, and
the undefeated faith of the Lithuanian people.
Prayers: Vygandas Drazdauskas with a cross asking for
health for his father, success for his girlfriend for her exams, and a
peaceful life.
Request for God’s help.
Modesta Vaisvilaite ties a cross to the hill:
When the Russians again occupied Lithuania during the Soviet period, religion
was forbidden.
Defiance:
When crosses continued to appear, the
soviet authorities stationed KGB agents around the site to stop people
sneaking through the forest to plant crosses.
“He is a poor fisherman indeed whose pleasure depends solely upon the number of fish he catches.”
Tales of Quails 'n Such
A Collection of Hunting and Fishing Stories
-- Havilah Babcock
Thought this was so interesting and amazing... something I had never heard of before. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
link to 'fun & facts': http://www.faithandfacts.com/christianity/lithuania%e2%80%99s-hill-of-crosses/
The Hill of Crosses, Kryziu Kalnas, in the city of Siauliai, Lithuania stands on a
small hill, about 10 meters tall.
The tradition of leaving crosses began after an uprising of the Polish and Lithuanians against the Russian tsar was squelched in 1831.
Relatives of the dead rebels, with no bodies to bury, instead left crosses on this hill to commemorate their fallen.
Today there are about 200,000 crosses at the site, excluding carvings and shrines, made out of everything from wood to metal.
During the Soviet occupation of Lithuania from 1944 to 1991, the Hill of Crosses became a symbol of defiance against the Communist
regime.
Three times the Soviets bulldozed the hill, but after each time both locals and pilgrims once again would erect crosses on the hill.
Today, the crosses number in the hundred of thousands. This place attracts both locals and tourists.
Walking among numerous crosses, some decorated with devotion to
loved ones, one can hear the rosaries rattle in the wind. This little
hillock has long been a potent symbol of suffering, hope, devotion, and
the undefeated faith of the Lithuanian people.
Prayers: Vygandas Drazdauskas with a cross asking for
health for his father, success for his girlfriend for her exams, and a
peaceful life.
Request for God’s help.
Modesta Vaisvilaite ties a cross to the hill:
When the Russians again occupied Lithuania during the Soviet period, religion
was forbidden.
Defiance:
When crosses continued to appear, the
soviet authorities stationed KGB agents around the site to stop people
sneaking through the forest to plant crosses.
“He is a poor fisherman indeed whose pleasure depends solely upon the number of fish he catches.”
Tales of Quails 'n Such
A Collection of Hunting and Fishing Stories
-- Havilah Babcock
