Arkivyskupas Mečislovas Reinys tautų atmintyje : piligrimų kelias

Abstract

Scholar and pedagogue, public activist, statesman and philanthropist, the Archbishop Mecislovas Reinys (3/2/1884–10/6/1907–5/4/1926–8/11/1953) was one of the most outstanding persons of the first half of the 20 th  century Lithuania who contributed to the consolidation of the state’s standing, the flourishing of science and culture, the strengthening of the nation’s spiritual development, the formation of its Catholic world outlook and the nurturing of Catholic values. In 2010–2012 M. Reinys was commemorated in Vladimir: in the Church of the Saint Virgin Mary Our Lady of the Rosary his portrait and a tablet and in the Kniaz Vladimir’s memorial cemetery of the old city plaques were unveiled in memory of M. Reinys, Lithuanian, and Klementij Septycky (17/11/1869–28/08/1915–01/05/1951), Ukrainian Catholic of Eastern (Greek) rite and the archimandrite of the Studite order beatified in 2001. These plaques supplemented the memorial ensemble of the cemetery (the commemorative plaques for Japanese, Estonians and plaques for individual persons). Furthermore, some presentations were delivered on M. Reinys and K. Septycky at conferences. In 2012 handouts assigned to M. Reinys and holy cards with a prayer were brought over to Vladimir. The above mentioned activities, performed by Lithuanians concerned with the memory of M. Reinys, inspired the faithful of the only functioning Catholic Church in Vladimir – the Church of the Saint Virgin Mary Our Lady of the Rosary – to go on a pilgrim journey to Lithuania and visit the places commemorating M. Reinys. On 29 April– 3 May, 2013 during the pilgrimage in Lithuania along the route commemorating the Archbishop M. Reinys seven parishioners of the Church of the Saint Virgin Mary Our Lady of the Rosary in Vladimir led by their spiritual director Father Serhiej Zuyev visited Vilnius, Utena, Daugailiai, Skapiskis, the Hill of Crosses, Siluva and Kaunas. This first pilgrimage from Vladimir spread more knowledge about M. Reinys, made the Year of the Faith more purposeful, and recalled the twentieth anniversary of the pastoral visit of the Pope John Paul II to Lithuania. In all of the sanctuaries and places commemorative of M. Reinys the pilgrims read a prayer printed on a holy card bearing his image in Russian language. Lithuanians enjoyed an excellent occasion to listen to Catholic hymns and prayers in Russian language and admire the pilgrims’ spirit of devoutness. The article presents a detailed survey of the means which made this pilgrimage publicly known (press, radio, presentations delivered at conferences) and its perpetuation in Skapiskis: the erection and dedication of a cross, the celebration of the Holy Mass, a conference and a special homage paid to the sponsors of this pilgrimage. The visit of the pilgrims from Vladimir to Lithuania gave an impetus for Lithuanians to proclaim M. Reinys’ memory in different forms of expression: written (articles and information in periodicals, scholarly writings), oral (lectures, reports, discourses, radio broadcasts), material objects (art monuments) and action (a pilgrimage journey – to honour M. Reinys the first pilgrims went from Lithuania to Vladimir in May 2013: instructors of the Kaunas vocational training centre for people involved in the business of social services (headmistress Laimutė Anužienė, Chaplain the Rev. Gintaras Vitkus SJ). The materials referring to Ukraine, which are compiled and stored in Skapiskis, have aroused interest of the Bazilian monks, Ukrainians of other congregations, clergymen, Ukrainian delegations which come on a visit to Kupiskis, academic people, artists and also employees of the Ukrainian Embassy to Lithuania. A shrine post erected in 2007 and a cross erected in 2013 in Skapiskis have become objects of attraction. The cross was dedicated to M. Reinys’ 60th death anniversary and to the first pilgrimage. Some soil brought from the Vladimir city cemetery and bricked in its pedestal is reminiscent not only of M. Reinys and those Lithuanians who have perished in that prison, but also of Eastern (Greek) rite Ukrainian Catholic, the archimandrite of the Studite order the Blessed Klementij Septycky and other courageous people of the Ukrainian nation who have fought or are fighting at present for their liberty. Two meetings between the Ukrainian Basilians and the Russian pilgrims which took place in Vilnius (April 30) and in Skapiskis (May 2) became a link connecting M. Reinys and K. Septycky and, through them, the representatives of the three nations – Lithuanians, Ukrainians and Russians – with Skapiskis as the main central link. One of the active Ukrainians popularizing Skapiskis is Father Pavlo Jachimec OSBM. He was a participant of various events which took place in Skapiskis and is also well known in Kupiskis. He represented the Ukrainians at the ceremony of dedication of the cross to mark this first pilgrimage. The first pilgrimage by the faithful of the Church of the Saint Virgin Mary Our Lady of the Rosary in Vladimir is an example calling on Lithuanians to start pilgrim journeys in Lithuania not only along the routes associated with M. Reinys, but also another eight Lithuanian Servants of God. There is a suggestion to organize a pilgrim journey of Ukrainians to Lithuania along the route commemorating M. Reinys. In Skapiskis materials on Ukraine are compiled and stored and the memory of the Blessed K. Septycky is held in reverence. The growing interest in M. Reinys stimulates and involves the teaching staff and schoolchildren of the Skapiskis primary school in the activities proclaiming this personality. The reverence for their history contributes to the promotion of religious and cultural ties among the Russian, Ukrainian and Lithuanian nations.