Holy pictures in Zanavykija

The "sacred pictures" or "obraz" (picture) became popular in the 19th century, when the technical possibilities to print large quantities came. The pictures were mainly used as a means of perpetuating the cult of the saints, but also as an educational tool. Now these pictures are mostly sentimental relics that testify to the piety of our ancestors.

This virtual exhibition has selected 16 sacred images stored in the collections of the Zanavykai Museum, which reflect the practices and piety of the religious people of Zanavykia. Some of these devocations survived wars, exile, and have long been preserved in prayer books and other books.

People received the holy picture cards when they joined the Brotherhood of the Apostolic Prayer, the Blessed Sacrament, the Order of the Tretics, and other religious organizations. Traditional pictures of primitives were printed in Italy, Germany, and Poland during the interwar period. During the Soviet era, pictures of priests who received priesthood celebrations were illegally printed (underground) in Lithuania. They are usually printed on poor quality paper, the texts are blurry, but the content is relevant. Patriotic attitudes, such as "To God, to the Church, to the Fatherland!"

1990 After the restoration of Lithuania's independence, the pictures of the new generation of priests were mostly printed in Italy. They are characterized by the quality of publishing and the symbolism expressed in the post-Catholic spirit of the liturgy. These are pictures with personal dedications to religious life, or devotional devotions that directly convey the picture: "The Suitable Mother - The Consolation of Suffering Mothers."

An exclusive exhibit in this exhibition is a picture of St. The image of the baby Jesus Teresa and attached piece of cloth that had touched the body of the saint and according to Church tradition is considered a Grade III relic.

The exhibition was prepared by Elvyra Jakienė, a specialist of the Zanavykai Museum