About the Church
The Pivašiūnai Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a remarkable monument of architecture and history, situated in the small village of Pivašiūnai in Alytus district. It is a place where centuries-old traditions, sacred significance and extraordinary human experiences come together.
The church, whose construction was completed in 1825, breathes the spirit of Classicism. Its ornate facade, with four masonry columns and a triangular pediment, catches the eye at once. Inside, visitors are greeted by a three-aisled space, in which a special place is held by the image of the Mother of God, held to be miraculous and adorned with silver revetment. This image, which may have been brought all the way from Turkey, has long attracted pilgrims and the faithful. In 1988 it was crowned with a crown donated by Pope John Paul II and received the title of Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted.
History attests that the first wooden church on this site was built as early as 1648, through the efforts of Benedictine monks. However, over the centuries it burned down and was rebuilt several times. Despite this, faith and the community's determination helped keep this sacred space alive. The years 1911–1918 were especially important, when, on the initiative of the parish priest Alfonsas Petrulis, services were held in Lithuanian, despite the strong Polish cultural pressure of the time.
The church is surrounded by a cemetery, and the churchyard fence is built of stone masonry with gates in the form of a Classicist triumphal arch. A wooden bell tower also stands by the church, which, together with the wooden Pakalnė chapel in the valley, completes the sacred complex of this locality.
The stories of the people who cared for the church at various periods also carry great historical value. For example, the priest Jonas Kaušyla, despite being exiled, returned to Lithuania and continued his work in the parish. Such people and their deeds attest to a firm faith and devotion to the community.
The Pivašiūnai Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only a place of religious practice but also an object of cultural and historical heritage. Every year the parish feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Žolinė) is held here, drawing large numbers of the faithful and the curious. It is a place where one can feel the pulse of Lithuania's religious and national life, learn about its rich history and hear many inspiring stories about the people of the past and present who have shaped and continue to shape this church.
The church, whose construction was completed in 1825, breathes the spirit of Classicism. Its ornate facade, with four masonry columns and a triangular pediment, catches the eye at once. Inside, visitors are greeted by a three-aisled space, in which a special place is held by the image of the Mother of God, held to be miraculous and adorned with silver revetment. This image, which may have been brought all the way from Turkey, has long attracted pilgrims and the faithful. In 1988 it was crowned with a crown donated by Pope John Paul II and received the title of Our Lady, Comforter of the Afflicted.
History attests that the first wooden church on this site was built as early as 1648, through the efforts of Benedictine monks. However, over the centuries it burned down and was rebuilt several times. Despite this, faith and the community's determination helped keep this sacred space alive. The years 1911–1918 were especially important, when, on the initiative of the parish priest Alfonsas Petrulis, services were held in Lithuanian, despite the strong Polish cultural pressure of the time.
The church is surrounded by a cemetery, and the churchyard fence is built of stone masonry with gates in the form of a Classicist triumphal arch. A wooden bell tower also stands by the church, which, together with the wooden Pakalnė chapel in the valley, completes the sacred complex of this locality.
The stories of the people who cared for the church at various periods also carry great historical value. For example, the priest Jonas Kaušyla, despite being exiled, returned to Lithuania and continued his work in the parish. Such people and their deeds attest to a firm faith and devotion to the community.
The Pivašiūnai Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only a place of religious practice but also an object of cultural and historical heritage. Every year the parish feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Žolinė) is held here, drawing large numbers of the faithful and the curious. It is a place where one can feel the pulse of Lithuania's religious and national life, learn about its rich history and hear many inspiring stories about the people of the past and present who have shaped and continue to shape this church.
Gallery and Resources
Archive captions are shown in Lithuanian.
Pivašiūnų Švč. Mergelės Marijos Ėmimo į dangų bažnyčia (pastatyta 1825 m.. garsėja Dievo Motinos paveikslu). Priekyje kryžiai.