About the Church
The Church of Sts Simon and Jude Thaddeus the Apostles in Marcinkonys is one of the most important sacred sites in the Varėna district, set in the picturesque village of Marcinkonys. Although the present church was built in 1880, its history goes back much further.
The first church in Marcinkonys was built as early as 1770, but the parish was only formally established seven years later, in 1777. Owing to its meagre endowment, the parish long failed to attract permanent parish priests, so the church remained a filial church of Merkinė. Nonetheless, the local people took an active part in parish life, and in 1835 the church was renovated.
Misfortune, unfortunately, did not spare this church — a new church built in 1868 burned down in 1879. But already in 1880 a new wooden church was built, and it still stands today. This church is notable for its Neo-Gothic features, its twin-towered facade and its apse.
One of the most notable parish priests of this church was Jonas Šoblickas, who served from 1871 to 1906. Thanks to him, services began to be held in Lithuanian, banned Lithuanian-language publications spread, and a good choir was formed. The parish priest also had the churchyard walled and set up the Stations of the Cross. Interestingly, the priest A. Petrulis, who served at the church in 1910–1911, was convicted for setting up an illegal Lithuanian school.
The church's history also includes tragic events. In 1920 Polish soldiers tortured to death the local parish priest, Pranciškus Raštutis. Although the parish was restored in 1921, political tension and repression continued. For instance, in 1933 the Polish police tore down and desecrated a cross erected by Lithuanians.
The wave of atheism of 1950 and 1960 in the Soviet Union inevitably affected the church in Marcinkonys as well. On the initiative of the priest Nikodemas Pakalka, the church was repaired in 1968. More recent times have brought greater stability: in 2000–2001 the wayside chapels — the Stations of the Cross — were renovated.
The architecture of this church is particularly striking. It has a rectangular floor plan, two small towers, and is twin-towered, which lends it a distinctive charm. A wooden bell tower stands in the churchyard, and the whole site is enclosed by a stone wall, which further enhances its historical and cultural significance.
Since 2021 the church in Marcinkonys has been served by the priest Bronius Krakevičius, who also serves the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kabeliai. Every year on 28 October the patronal feast of Sts Simon and Jude Thaddeus is celebrated here.
A visit to the Church of Sts Simon and Jude Thaddeus the Apostles in Marcinkonys is not only a religious experience but also an opportunity to touch Lithuania's historical culture and inherit the memory of the past.
The first church in Marcinkonys was built as early as 1770, but the parish was only formally established seven years later, in 1777. Owing to its meagre endowment, the parish long failed to attract permanent parish priests, so the church remained a filial church of Merkinė. Nonetheless, the local people took an active part in parish life, and in 1835 the church was renovated.
Misfortune, unfortunately, did not spare this church — a new church built in 1868 burned down in 1879. But already in 1880 a new wooden church was built, and it still stands today. This church is notable for its Neo-Gothic features, its twin-towered facade and its apse.
One of the most notable parish priests of this church was Jonas Šoblickas, who served from 1871 to 1906. Thanks to him, services began to be held in Lithuanian, banned Lithuanian-language publications spread, and a good choir was formed. The parish priest also had the churchyard walled and set up the Stations of the Cross. Interestingly, the priest A. Petrulis, who served at the church in 1910–1911, was convicted for setting up an illegal Lithuanian school.
The church's history also includes tragic events. In 1920 Polish soldiers tortured to death the local parish priest, Pranciškus Raštutis. Although the parish was restored in 1921, political tension and repression continued. For instance, in 1933 the Polish police tore down and desecrated a cross erected by Lithuanians.
The wave of atheism of 1950 and 1960 in the Soviet Union inevitably affected the church in Marcinkonys as well. On the initiative of the priest Nikodemas Pakalka, the church was repaired in 1968. More recent times have brought greater stability: in 2000–2001 the wayside chapels — the Stations of the Cross — were renovated.
The architecture of this church is particularly striking. It has a rectangular floor plan, two small towers, and is twin-towered, which lends it a distinctive charm. A wooden bell tower stands in the churchyard, and the whole site is enclosed by a stone wall, which further enhances its historical and cultural significance.
Since 2021 the church in Marcinkonys has been served by the priest Bronius Krakevičius, who also serves the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kabeliai. Every year on 28 October the patronal feast of Sts Simon and Jude Thaddeus is celebrated here.
A visit to the Church of Sts Simon and Jude Thaddeus the Apostles in Marcinkonys is not only a religious experience but also an opportunity to touch Lithuania's historical culture and inherit the memory of the past.