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Vilnius St. Paraskevius Martyr Church

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The Vilnius St. Paraskevius Martyr Church, built in 1345 at the corner of Didžioji and Bokšto Streets, is one of the oldest Orthodox Christian sites in the city. Constructed by Maria of Vitebsk, wife of Grand Duke Algirdas, it was built on the site of a pagan temple dedicated to Ragutis. Over the centuries, it has been destroyed, rebuilt, and passed between different denominations.

In 1708, Tsar Peter the Great visited the church and baptized Abram Hanibal, ancestor of poet Alexander Pushkin. During the Soviet era, it became a museum, but in 1990, it was returned to the Orthodox community. The church now hosts services and features 15th-16th-century icons, including the unique icon of St. Paraskevius, its patroness. Renowned for its architecture, it remains a significant historical and religious monument in Vilnius.

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Religious Heritage
Vilnius

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The Vilnius St. Paraskevius Martyr Church (also known as Paraskevos Church or Piatnica Church) is one of the oldest and most important Orthodox Christian places of worship in Vilnius, located on Didžioji Street at the corner of Bokšto Street. This church has deep historical roots, dating back to 1345, when it was built at the initiative of Maria of Vitebsk, the first wife of Grand Duke Algirdas of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It was the first stone Christian temple in Vilnius, built on the site of the former pagan god Ragutis' temple. Throughout its history, the church has undergone numerous reconstructions and fires, but it has always remained important to both the cultural and religious communities of Vilnius. In 1611, after a city fire, it passed to the Uniate Church and was later returned to the Orthodox in 1655. In 1708, Tsar Peter the Great of Russia prayed here, giving thanks for his victory over Swedish

King Charles XII, and it was here that Abram Hanibal, the great-grandfather of poet Alexander Pushkin, was baptized. After many years of restoration, by 1946, there were only about 100 believers attending the church. Following World War II, it was heavily damaged and later restored. Although it was closed in 1961 and turned into a minor arts museum, the church was returned to the Orthodox community in 1990 and consecrated again in 1991. Today, visitors can see the carved iconostasis featuring icons from the 15th-16th centuries, as well as the unique image of the martyr. The church stands out for its architecture: the cylindrical vaulted vestibule, vaulted ceilings, and a large dome supported by four columns with arcades. It is not only an important religious site but also a valuable cultural landmark that bears witness to the history of Vilnius and the many events that have left their mark on the city.

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2025-11-17

Vilnius St. Paraskevius Martyr Church

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