About the Church
The Little Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Kaunas, located in the green district of Žaliakalnis, has a rich and interesting history. This small but significant shrine is second in importance within the parish of the Resurrection of Christ, whose main centre is the impressive Basilica of the Resurrection of Christ.
The Little Church was built in 1923 as a temporary shrine, even before construction of the great Church of the Resurrection of Christ began. At that time Lithuania was going through a financial crisis, so the project for the grand church had to be postponed, and it was for this reason that the decision was made to build a temporary little wooden church. This was an extremely important decision, since the people of Žaliakalnis needed a new spiritual space.
The first temporary church was built of old logs and was consecrated in September 1923. Although it was modest and simple, with only a single high altar, it quickly became very popular among the faithful, who on Sundays often had to stand outside because everyone could not fit inside.
In 1927, when the priest Feliksas Kapočius became rector, construction of a second temporary church began. The new building was consecrated in December 1928 and was distinguished by a wooden frame combined with brick masonry. Over time, on the initiative of the engineer Karolis Reisonas, the church was reconstructed and encased in masonry, thereby acquiring its present pseudo-basilica form.
During the Soviet era, when the great Church of the Resurrection was closed and turned into a warehouse, the Little Church became the parish's main shrine. It remained open throughout the occupation and served as a safe refuge for the faithful during times of persecution.
After the Soviet occupation ended, the parish's main life moved in 2004 to the restored great Church of the Resurrection. However, the Little Church was not forgotten. In 2006 a major renovation was carried out, during which the walls, floors, windows, electrical wiring and other elements were renewed. The original interior and exterior were preserved and restored, giving the church its authenticity.
Inside the church there are five illusionistic altars, painted by Vytautas Bičiūnas around 1933, which create a special atmosphere in the house of prayer. The ensemble of stained-glass windows, created by Stasys Ušinskas, is the main decorative element of the church's interior. The churchyard also holds the graves of former parish priests – Bishop Romualdas Krikščiūnas and the altarist Vaclovas Aleksandravičius.
Today the Little Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Kaunas is recognised as a monument of architecture and history of regional significance. It is a place where one can immerse oneself in peace and reflection, recall Lithuania's complex history and sense the strength of faith that helped people survive the hardest of times.
The Little Church was built in 1923 as a temporary shrine, even before construction of the great Church of the Resurrection of Christ began. At that time Lithuania was going through a financial crisis, so the project for the grand church had to be postponed, and it was for this reason that the decision was made to build a temporary little wooden church. This was an extremely important decision, since the people of Žaliakalnis needed a new spiritual space.
The first temporary church was built of old logs and was consecrated in September 1923. Although it was modest and simple, with only a single high altar, it quickly became very popular among the faithful, who on Sundays often had to stand outside because everyone could not fit inside.
In 1927, when the priest Feliksas Kapočius became rector, construction of a second temporary church began. The new building was consecrated in December 1928 and was distinguished by a wooden frame combined with brick masonry. Over time, on the initiative of the engineer Karolis Reisonas, the church was reconstructed and encased in masonry, thereby acquiring its present pseudo-basilica form.
During the Soviet era, when the great Church of the Resurrection was closed and turned into a warehouse, the Little Church became the parish's main shrine. It remained open throughout the occupation and served as a safe refuge for the faithful during times of persecution.
After the Soviet occupation ended, the parish's main life moved in 2004 to the restored great Church of the Resurrection. However, the Little Church was not forgotten. In 2006 a major renovation was carried out, during which the walls, floors, windows, electrical wiring and other elements were renewed. The original interior and exterior were preserved and restored, giving the church its authenticity.
Inside the church there are five illusionistic altars, painted by Vytautas Bičiūnas around 1933, which create a special atmosphere in the house of prayer. The ensemble of stained-glass windows, created by Stasys Ušinskas, is the main decorative element of the church's interior. The churchyard also holds the graves of former parish priests – Bishop Romualdas Krikščiūnas and the altarist Vaclovas Aleksandravičius.
Today the Little Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Kaunas is recognised as a monument of architecture and history of regional significance. It is a place where one can immerse oneself in peace and reflection, recall Lithuania's complex history and sense the strength of faith that helped people survive the hardest of times.