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Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Christ, Kaišiadorys

Religion

Kaišiadorys Cathedral is a church completed in the Neo-Gothic style as well as a host of other churches built at the end of the nineteenth and in the beginning of the twentieth century in Lithuania. But in truth, this church differs much from the other churches...

First of all, this church was built on the initiative of Kaišiadorys inhabitants.  At the end of the nineteenth century, after the rail track was laid, the townspeople wrote letters to the Russian authorities. They requested to have a temple in their town and raised money for construction. The construction works began in 1906, but were suspended during the First World War because German troops took away the construction materials.

After the works had been resumed, the initial design was changed. Kaišiadorys received the status of episcopacy, and for this reason, additional lateral temples - mandatory for any cathedral - were designed.  The author of the first design project is Vaclovas Michnevičius, the most famous Lithuanian architect in the Inter-War Period. According to differing historical data, he designed 23, 40 or even 72 churches.

Arts critics suggest paying attention to the bottom of the building when looking at the church. The first 1 m of the wall coming up from the ground was built from ancient bricks, before the First World War.

As you enter, take a closer look at the pictures. The altar is embellished with the picture of Ignot Rudolf.  All other pictures, sculptures, confessionals, an oak throne for the episcope and even benches were created by the legendary Jakševičiai family. Vincentas was an architect, sculptor, and an artist, including his sons Silvanas and Adomas. Almost all creations made by the Jakševičiai family are included in the list of Cultural Heritage of Lithuania.

The archbishop Teofilius Matulionis (1873-1962) was buried in the Cathedral's bishop crypt. In December 2016, the Pope Francis acknowledged his martyrdom. After all official Vatican procedures were completed, on 25 June 2017 he was named as the "Blessed".

Here is another interesting fact. In 1987, shortly before Lithuania regained its independence, the Pope John Paul II elevated the bishop Vincentas Sladkevičius to the dignity of a cardinal.

You can reach the Cathedral by car or take a walk from the railway station if you come by train from Kaišiadorys. We also recommend visiting A.M. Brazauskas Museum located nearby, the bishopric archdiocese, the railway station, and the water tower.

Reviews

Aldona 2023-07-25


Kaišiadorių bažnyčia labai jauki, graži. Miestelis - tylus, ramus. Žmonės tvarkingi, dorovingi, pamaldūs. Kaišiadorių katedros vyskupas rūpinasi mažomis parapijomis ir bažnyčiomis. Krikščionys džiaugiasi ir linki sveikatos ir Dievo palaimos Juozapui Matulaičiui ir kitiems dvasininkams.