About the Church
Domeikava Lithuanian Martyrs Church is a special place both for its architecture and its historical significance. The church stands in Domeikava, near the road linking Kaunas and Vandžiogala, and belongs to the Domeikava Lithuanian Martyrs parish. It is a place where people gather to pray and to commemorate Lithuania's sufferings and sacrifices for freedom.
The design of the church was created by notable architects: Kęstutis Kisielius, Gytis Ramunis and Artūras Asauskas, together with the "Vilnius Architecture Studio", and the Lithuanian émigré architect Rimas Mulokas. The building itself is distinguished by its postmodernist style, and its chief architect was Kęstutis Pempė, chairman of the Lithuanian Union of Architects. The church's structural design was by Algis Kaptuleris.
Construction began in 1993, when on 14 June, the day marking the Bolshevik genocide of the Lithuanian nation, Bishop Sigitas Tamkevičius blessed the cornerstone. This date symbolises not only the beginning of the church but also bears witness to the tragic events that led to its creation. Unfortunately, owing to various obstacles, the construction work dragged on for as long as 13 years. During that time the project encountered a lack of funding and the bankruptcy of contractors.
Despite the difficulties, the community's dedication and the efforts of Fr Robertas Skrinskas helped the work to continue. From 25 December 1997 services began to be held in a blessed chapel in the church's basement, and the exterior of the church was completed in 1999. Interior work followed, such as finishing the walls, installing the ceiling and fitting the lighting, until finally, on 2 July 2006, the church was consecrated.
Interestingly, a Lithuanian Martyrs memorial has been set up beside the church: a complex of sculptures creatively conveying Lithuania's path of suffering. Here one can see works by the renowned folk artist Viktoras Žilinskas.
The church also has its own relic: a first-class relic of Blessed Teofilius Matulionis, presented on 22 October 2017 by the Bishop of Kaišiadorys, Jonas Ivanauskas. This relic has become a permanent object of veneration in the parish.
Domeikava Lithuanian Martyrs Church is not just a house of prayer: it is a living symbol of historical memory and community unity, for those who remember and honour those who sacrificed their lives for their country's freedom.
The design of the church was created by notable architects: Kęstutis Kisielius, Gytis Ramunis and Artūras Asauskas, together with the "Vilnius Architecture Studio", and the Lithuanian émigré architect Rimas Mulokas. The building itself is distinguished by its postmodernist style, and its chief architect was Kęstutis Pempė, chairman of the Lithuanian Union of Architects. The church's structural design was by Algis Kaptuleris.
Construction began in 1993, when on 14 June, the day marking the Bolshevik genocide of the Lithuanian nation, Bishop Sigitas Tamkevičius blessed the cornerstone. This date symbolises not only the beginning of the church but also bears witness to the tragic events that led to its creation. Unfortunately, owing to various obstacles, the construction work dragged on for as long as 13 years. During that time the project encountered a lack of funding and the bankruptcy of contractors.
Despite the difficulties, the community's dedication and the efforts of Fr Robertas Skrinskas helped the work to continue. From 25 December 1997 services began to be held in a blessed chapel in the church's basement, and the exterior of the church was completed in 1999. Interior work followed, such as finishing the walls, installing the ceiling and fitting the lighting, until finally, on 2 July 2006, the church was consecrated.
Interestingly, a Lithuanian Martyrs memorial has been set up beside the church: a complex of sculptures creatively conveying Lithuania's path of suffering. Here one can see works by the renowned folk artist Viktoras Žilinskas.
The church also has its own relic: a first-class relic of Blessed Teofilius Matulionis, presented on 22 October 2017 by the Bishop of Kaišiadorys, Jonas Ivanauskas. This relic has become a permanent object of veneration in the parish.
Domeikava Lithuanian Martyrs Church is not just a house of prayer: it is a living symbol of historical memory and community unity, for those who remember and honour those who sacrificed their lives for their country's freedom.