Skapiškio Šv. Hiacinto (Jackaus) parapija

LTStraipsnyje apžvelgiama Kupiškio dekanato (Panevėžio vyskupija) Skapiškio Šv. Hiacinto (Jackaus) parapijos istorija, čia dirbę dvasininkai (klebonai, kanauninkai, vikarai, administratoriai). Rašoma apie dvasininkų pastoracinę veiklą, buriant ir ugdant gyvąją parapiją, taip pat darbus puošiant bei gražinant bažnyčią. Išskirtinis dėmesys skirtas ilgamečiams Skapiškio Šv. Hiacinto (Jackaus) parapijos klebonams kanauninkams Nikodemui Kasperiūnui ir Povilui Varžinskui. Remiantis gausia archyvine medžiaga, kurią praplečia autorės prieš keletą metų užfiksuoti jau į Amžinybę iškeliavusių skapiškėnų (išskirtini Aldonos Kytrienės) atsiminimai, pateikta duomenų apie Skapiškyje dirbusių dvasininkų asmenybes. Pristatomi ir bažnyčiai labiausiai nusipelnę parapijiečiai. Darbas iliustruotas autorės sudarytomis lentelėmis, papildytas priedais, kuriuose pateikiamos Skapiškyje dirbusių bei iš Skapiškio kilusių dvasininkų bei vienuolių biografijos. [Iš straipsnio, p. 191]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Skapiškis; Parapijos; Dominikonai; Dvasininkai; Vienuolynai; Skapiškis; Parish; Churches; Priests.

ENThe history of the St. Hyacinth Church and the parish of the Kupiškis Deanery (Panevėžys Diocese) is reviewed in the paper. This is one of two churches under this name in Lithuania; its 200th anniversary is to be celebrated in 2019. Its former clergy (parsons /parish priests/, honorary parsons, vicars, administrators) are introduced. Abundant archive sources used for the first time expand the history of Skapiškis parish and its priests. The Metrics of Skapiškis Church allowed to determine the former clergy in the parish office, their work time, functions, even life dates. The register of Skapiškis priests who died in Skapiškis indicates their age and cause of death. Moreover, these data are very important for those who try to find their relatives and compose the genealogie tree. The Church of St. Hyacinth administered by Dominican monks had been turned into a storehouse after the 1831 Rebellion. Under the initiative of Skapiškis priests and due to efforts of Bishop Motiejus Valančius, it had been given back to the congregation in 1858 and became a parish church. The parish Church of St. Laurence the Martyr, one of the first churches in Kupiškis Deanery, was severely broken and remained (up to its demolition during the WWI) only as a St. Laurence chapel in the cemetery. Many priests served in Skapiškis parish. A table compiled (but unfinished) names 205 priests; it was based on the data of Skapiškis Church Metrics about births, marriages and deaths now stored in the Office of the Chief Archivist of Lithuania and recorded into the electronic heritage. The table embraces also the Dominican monks, who worked in the parish church and the monastery, i.e. priors, vicars and parsons. Moreover, guests who came to Skapiškis to take part in christening, marriage or burying ceremonies of parishioners, also are mentioned there. The material given in the article about the priests presents a serious basis for further detailed investigations.The reminiscences of nuns and parishioners recorded by the author about Skapiškis priests and nuns who assisted them have been also used in the present paper. This historical material published for the first time is very important, because many informers had left to the Eternity. Pastoral activities of priests is described, how they mobilised and educated the parishioners, organised decoration and embellishment of the church, strengthened faith of young people, sense of their responsibility, love to the God and people. Special attention is given to long-time parish priest Canon Nikodemas Kasperiūnas with his subtle pedagogy revealed in reminescences. Priests (Rev. Antanas Kietis among them), who worked in Skapiškis during the after-war period, were being intimidated by NKVD, later they experienced pressure by security agents, were persuaded and even blackmailed, but they refused to collaborate. Finally, they had to suffer imprisonment, also in Siberia camps. Rev. Valentinas Šikšnius-Šikšnys was arrested; Rev. Mykolas Gylys was sentenced to two years in hard-labour detention facilities; while Rev. Juozapas Bardišauskas, former vicar of Skapiškis, was shot dead in the camp. An active work of clergy before the WWII was a strong incentive to create Catholic organizations, which used to be lead mainly by priests. In Soviet time, the Catholic organisations couldn't be active, but after Lithuania regained its independence, they attempted to revive their activities as Lay Dominicans or Living Rosary circles.A good deal of attention in the article is given to broadly spread religious cultural activities of town community, its library, folk theatres, schools and the museum "Pažintis su Ukrainos kultūra" (Acquaintance with Ukrainian Culture). These active assistants of the parish are organising scientific and spiritual events. Church servants, such as organists, ringers, sextons, church decorators, women caring priest tombs and the churchyard, as well as patrons of the church and Radio Maria sponsors, are also not out of the way. The grain of God's love sown by clergy found a reflection in the hearts of many parishioners. Five priests and two nuns are known to be from Skapiškis. The article contains 12 tables constructed by the author and supplemented with biographies of priests, who worked in Skapiškis, and one nun having come from this town. The Church in Lithuania remains a strong moral pillar that protected the nation from poisons of Soviet ideology. The Church of St. Hyacinth in Skapiškis, its clergy and most devoted parishioners made their serious contribution into this. [From the publication]