About the Church
The Church of the Holy Guardian Angels in Geidžiūnai is a fine example of vernacular architecture, standing in the quiet surroundings of the village of Geidžiūnai, near the bank of the Agluona. Built in 1917, this wooden church has deep historical roots worth uncovering.
The church's origins go back to 1856, when a chapel was built on the local cemetery ground from materials taken from the demolished church of Nemunėlio Radviliškis. The peasant Lukas Kaziūnas, disregarding police warnings and the authorities' bans, rebuilt this chapel in 1886, and two years later it was blessed by the parish priest of Biržai, Juozapas Rimkevičius. At that time there were strict rules governing the construction of religious buildings, and the use of the chapel was restricted — services were permitted only for the dead and during the parish feast.
During the First World War, around 1915, the priest Juozas Janulionis settled in Geidžiūnai. On his initiative the chapel was enlarged in 1917 and became a filial church, a new altar was installed, and a presbytery was built. This was an important step in the life of the parish, giving the community a place for common prayer and gatherings.
From 1932 to 1937 the parish priest was Kazimieras Čiplys-Vijūnas, a creative clergyman and playwright. He fostered cultural awareness, organised youth movements, and wrote plays that were widely performed across north-eastern Lithuania. His contribution to the life of the parish was immense, enriching local cultural and spiritual life.
The Second World War and the Soviet occupation did not spare Geidžiūnai either. In 1949 the parish priest Petras Liepa was arrested and deported to Siberia, where he perished. Despite these hard times, the church remained an important part of the community. After the war the priest Leonardas Skardinskas served here for almost three decades, continuing to strengthen the spirit of the parish.
Architecturally, the Church of the Holy Guardian Angels in Geidžiūnai is a rectangular-plan, single-nave structure with space for three altars. Inside it houses works by unknown artists, "Our Lady of Sorrows" and "The Evangelist Luke". The churchyard wall is built of stone, and the bell tower, also wooden, gives the whole complex a particular charm.
Despite talk of the parish possibly being dissolved owing to declining commitment among parishioners, the church remains a living part of the local community. It stands as a silent witness to a turbulent history and to the steadfastness of people's faith.
The church's origins go back to 1856, when a chapel was built on the local cemetery ground from materials taken from the demolished church of Nemunėlio Radviliškis. The peasant Lukas Kaziūnas, disregarding police warnings and the authorities' bans, rebuilt this chapel in 1886, and two years later it was blessed by the parish priest of Biržai, Juozapas Rimkevičius. At that time there were strict rules governing the construction of religious buildings, and the use of the chapel was restricted — services were permitted only for the dead and during the parish feast.
During the First World War, around 1915, the priest Juozas Janulionis settled in Geidžiūnai. On his initiative the chapel was enlarged in 1917 and became a filial church, a new altar was installed, and a presbytery was built. This was an important step in the life of the parish, giving the community a place for common prayer and gatherings.
From 1932 to 1937 the parish priest was Kazimieras Čiplys-Vijūnas, a creative clergyman and playwright. He fostered cultural awareness, organised youth movements, and wrote plays that were widely performed across north-eastern Lithuania. His contribution to the life of the parish was immense, enriching local cultural and spiritual life.
The Second World War and the Soviet occupation did not spare Geidžiūnai either. In 1949 the parish priest Petras Liepa was arrested and deported to Siberia, where he perished. Despite these hard times, the church remained an important part of the community. After the war the priest Leonardas Skardinskas served here for almost three decades, continuing to strengthen the spirit of the parish.
Architecturally, the Church of the Holy Guardian Angels in Geidžiūnai is a rectangular-plan, single-nave structure with space for three altars. Inside it houses works by unknown artists, "Our Lady of Sorrows" and "The Evangelist Luke". The churchyard wall is built of stone, and the bell tower, also wooden, gives the whole complex a particular charm.
Despite talk of the parish possibly being dissolved owing to declining commitment among parishioners, the church remains a living part of the local community. It stands as a silent witness to a turbulent history and to the steadfastness of people's faith.