Our Lady of the Sign The icon of ''Our Lady of the Sign'' (; ; ) or ''Platytera'' () is the term for a particular type of icon of the Theotokos (Virgin Mary), facing the viewer directly, depicted either full length or half, with her hands raised in the ''orans'' posi ...

Church (; ) is an

Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...

church in the

Žvėrynas Žvėrynas (literally ''the menagerie'') is one of the older neighbourhoods and smallest elderships in Vilnius, Lithuania. According to the 2011 census, 11,079 people live within its 2.6 km² area. It lies on the banks of the Neris River, a ...

district of

Vilnius Vilnius ( , ) is the capital of and List of cities in Lithuania#Cities, largest city in Lithuania and the List of cities in the Baltic states by population, most-populous city in the Baltic states. The city's estimated January 2025 population w ...

, built in 1903, belonging to the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Lithuania. The idea of building a new Orthodox church in Vilnius came from Orthodox Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit, which also organised a collection of funds in the whole

Russian Empire The Russian Empire was an empire that spanned most of northern Eurasia from its establishment in November 1721 until the proclamation of the Russian Republic in September 1917. At its height in the late 19th century, it covered about , roughl ...

. The church, constructed in the most popular Neo-Byzantine style, was consecrated in 1903 by Iuvenaliy, the Orthodox archbishop of Vilnius. He also opened a school for poor children and a library which were to be run by the church's clergy. In order to commemorate the day, he granted to the newly established parish a copy of Our Lady of Kursk

icon An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic Church, Catholic, and Lutheranism, Lutheran churches. The most common subjects include Jesus, Mary, mother of ...

. Unlike many other Orthodox churches in Vilnius, the church was not closed during

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, nor during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. The Soviet government agreed to register it as a parish church in 1948. Before 1956, the church was robbed a few times, losing part of the icons from the original

iconostasis In Eastern Christianity, an iconostasis () is a wall of icons and religious paintings, separating the nave from the sanctuary in a Church (building), church. ''Iconostasis'' also refers to a portable icon stand that can be placed anywhere withi ...

which had to be replaced by a far humbler one. The church was fully restored inside and outside in 2009.

Gallery

Image:Orthodox Church of Revelation of the Holy Mother of God Interior, Vilnius, Lithuania - Diliff.jpg, Interior Image:Znamenska vilnius front.JPG, Facade Image:Znamenska vilnius olga icon.JPG, St. Olga icon File:Vilnius Dievo Motinos Ikonos „Ženklas iš Dangaus“ Cerkve Innen Kuppel 2.jpg, Dome

References

Sources

* G. Shlevis, ''Православные храмы Литвы'', Vilnius 2006 {{DEFAULTSORT:Our Lady Of The Sign Church, Vilnius Eastern Orthodox churches in Lithuania Churches in Vilnius Byzantine Revival architecture in Lithuania Church buildings with domes

Gallery

See also

References

Sources