Žemaičių krikštas Lietuvos krikščionėjimo procese

LT2013-2017 metais minimas Žemaičių 600 metų krikšto jubiliejus svarbus ne tik kaip istorinis faktas, jis šiandien aktualus kiekvieno kataliko ir visos Lietuvos Bažnyčios gyvenime. Dabarties visuomenė dažnai linkusi į nusiminimą, depresiją ir dvasinį skurdą. Mūsų protėvių priimtas naujasis krikščioniškasis tikėjimas tada jiems suteikė dvasinės atspirties, kovojant su naujais iššūkiais ir siekiant išlaikyti gyvą Evangelijos žinią lietuvių dvasioje. Šiandieninis žmogus, patekęs į liberalizmo sūkurį, dažnai pamiršta dvasines vertybes, kurios sėkmingai būrė istorijoje tautas į vieną Vakarų Europos tautų bendriją ir žengė pažangos keliu. Šiame straipsnyje aptariamas Žemaičių krikštas ir jo reikšmė tiek tuometinei lietuvių tautai, tiek ir dabartinei Lietuvos valstybei, jos kultūrai ir dvasinei raidai. Krikščionybė, pasiekusi tuometinio Žemaičio pagonio širdį, ne tik sutelkė visą lietuvių tautą Evangelijos vienybėje, bet ir sudarė pagrindą taikios, pažangios ir laisvos Lietuvos perspektyvai. Nauji humanizmo poreikiai „iš tikėjimo sėmėsi įkvėpimo ir paskatino ugdyti didžiąsias vertybes, kurios išaukštino Europos istoriją“ (Jonas Paulius II). Krikščionėji- mas yra ne įvykis, bet procesas, kuris negandų ir sunkumų apsuptyje stiprina kiekvieno tikinčiojo dvasią ir veda jį į išganymą. [Iš leidinio]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Dugino geopolitinė ideologija; Jogaila; Krikščionybė; Lietuvos Didžioji Kunigaikštystė (LDK; Grand Duchy of Lithuania; GDL); Lietuvos christianizacija; Lokalinė istorija; Viduramžiai; Vytautas; Žemaitijos krikštas; Žemaitijos vyskupystė; Christianity; Diocese of Samogitia; Dugin's geopolitical ideology; Jogaila; Lithuania's christianisation process; Local history; Middle Ages; Samogitia; Samogitian baptism; Vytautas.

ENThe action of Samogitia’s baptism was started in 1413 and completed in 1417 and was considered as the end of Lithuania's baptism. Christianization started by the efforts of Vytautas and Jogaila gained symbolic meaning since its beginning. At the same time with the famous Samogitian complaint last pagans fought for the right to be christened in catholic religion. In this way they united not only the whole Lithuanian nation in one religion, but integrated it into the West Europe’s Christian culture. Samogitian bishopric established by Constanca meeting became a historic phenomenon with no analogues. That was a significant political victory of Lithuania’s Great Duchy not only for Samogitia’s, but also Lithuania’s historical development. Christianisation of Samogitia became the starting point from which Christian religion cherished alongside with Christian West European culture which was unfamiliar to former pagans then. Till then only first seven churches were constructed by Vytautas and their net started to be spread. Monasteries and schools were evolving offering reciprocal help and progress. Conditions to take pastoral care were formed and a community of believers who helped to resist those who impinged on Lithuanians’ cultural right not only on national but also religious basis. Baptism opens the gates to final salvation for every person. But for that a conscious decision, which was proclaimed by Samogitians in Constanca meeting, is needed. During the sacrament of baptism a person dies for a sin in order to resurrect for a new life during St. Easter’s mystery. Conscious and free-willed retraction from pageantry, purification from sins and birth by pouring water in St. Spirit became the beginning of a new life for Lithuanians. Having been taught the belief rights and baptised according to the requirements of Catholic Church, new Christians strengthened, cherished their new belief and fought for it.The greatest challenge for Christians became the years of occupation and repression when the threat arouse for new belief and Christian culture. Today the blessing of baptism is wearing off in many people’s understanding. Christian life is no more sincerely lived. Especially this can be observed in families where a child is christened only because of community norms and the parents themselves do not follow their life according to Christ’s Evangelic and do not teach such life their kids. Baptism becomes over personalised, rejecting the necessity of church community in the united belief. The example of liberal world teaches many Christians inappropriate worldview and temporary choice which tries to push out the “stiffed” Christianity. The stress is put on a man and the God is given only a supportive role. A number of values, even culture, which our ancestors tried to bring from Western Europe, are seen commercial. New movements develop in generation which was brought up without Church. Even in the freedom to choose religion efforts are made to bring back this dark pagan religion. Neo pageantry manifesting itself in all mass and social media becomes dangerous and aggressive towards Christianity. It is blamed for spreading and provoking national and cultural person’s levelling. A. Dugin’s geopolitical ideology makes Christian Lithuania alert for possible Russian challenges in order to hurt the state first of all in the ethnical and religious aspect and make it a part of Eurasia under Russian control. [From the publication]