Elektrėnų dekanato sakralinis paveldas

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Elektrėnų dekanatas; Sakralinis paveldas; Lithuania; Elektrėnai Deanery; Sacral Heritage.

ENIn the year 1926 by the special act bulla “Utuanorumgente” of Pope Pius the XIth, when the ecclesiastical province of Lithuania was established, the bishopric of Kaišiadoriai was founded, which was divided into nine deaneries: Alytus, Giedraičiai, Merkinė, Molėtai, Saldutiškis, Stakliškės, Širvintos, Žasliai and Žiežmariai. This division of bishopric did not change till the year 1999. On 20th August 1999 by the act of Kaišiadoriai bishop Juozapas Matulaitis, new division of bishopric was announced, instead of nine, seven deaneries were left: Alytus, Elektrėnai, Kaišiadoriai, Merkinė, Molėtai, Stakliškės and Širvintos. For the newly created Elektrėnai deanery parishes of Aukštadvaris, Beižionys, Dusmenys, Elektrėnai, Kazokiškės, Kietaviškės, Onuškis, Semeliškės, Vievis and Vytautava were assigned. The Priest Jonas Sabaliauskas, dean of Elektrėnai church, was nominated as the first dean. In the publication “The Sacral Heritage of Elektrėnai Deanery” all churches of the deanery are presented in turn, alphabetical order.Especially thoroughly, with reference to archival sources and already published publications, their history is provided (by the author, historian Kazys Misius), lists of shepherds of parishes are appended. It is interesting that aforementioned historian Kazys Misius also presents the historical reviews of closed churches, such as former Aukštadvaris Dominican church or Barboriškės (the former branch (liet. - filija) of Semeliškės church). Further, the most artistic or in other aspects interesting sacral works of art are presented in short articles. Most of them preserved their authenticity and are important part of Lithuanian cultural heritage. Finally, the lists of inventoried works of art and other works are presented. This inventory was made pursuant to the Department of Cultural Heritage funded programs by the specialists of the Centre of Cultural Heritage together with art historians during the year 2000-2005. The map of the deanery, also the maps of boundaries of each parish appended richly illustrated publication. [From the publication]