• Marilyn KennedyMarilyn’s Lithuanian AdventureTraveler
    The Altar Inside St. Anne's Church in Pavandenė
    Side Altar Inside St. Anne's Church in PavandenėConfessional Inside St. Anne's Church in PavandenėScott, Vincas, and Anastacija Inside St. Anne's Church in PavandenėA Side Altar Inside St. Anne's Church in PavandenėScott Photographing the Altar Inside St. Anne's Church in PavandenėCloser View of the Altar Inside St. Anne's Church in PavandenėAnastacija and Vincas Talking in the Back of St. Anne's Church with the Old Organ AboveOrgan in Choir Loft at St. Anne's Church in PavandenėMarilyn in Front of the Altar Inside St. Anne's ChurchMarilyn and Anastacija Inside St. Anne's Church in PavandenėInside Bell Tower of St. Anne's Church in Pavandenė - Notice the Hanging Bell Ringer

    Inside St. Anne's Church in Pavandenė

    August 15, 2022 in Lithuania ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Our guide Vincas contacted a woman living in a nearby village and asked her to unlock the church for us. About 20 minutes later, a cheerful elderly lady named Anastacija arrived on her bicycle. She did not speak a word of English but Vincas helped with communication. When I told her the reason Scott and I were there, she started hugging and kissing us both as if we were her long-lost relatives. She told us that the day we visited was also her 80th birthday and that there would be a party later in the day and she planned on dancing. So she started singing and dancing with me. Anastacija was delightful!

    The inside of St. Anne's Church was beautiful! Although the current building has been there for about 200 years, it has been well cared for by the parishioners.

    Anastacija turned on the organ so that Vincas could play it for us. This was the same organ that my Great-Grandfather Šlikas played in the early 1900s before he died. We were also allowed to go into the bell tower and Scott was able to ring the church bell which was the same bell that my Great-Grandfather Šlikas rang. This experience was wonderful!    Read more