The Church in Lithuania

[Olympiada]

Why is the Church in Lithuania predominantly Catholic?

[Olga]

Why is the Church in Lithuania predominantly Catholic?

For much the same historical reason as why the Estonians and Latvians are predominantly Lutheran. Look uo the history of the Baltic states, especially with regard to the various wars and battles between Imperial Russia, Sweden, the Teutonic Knights and others in past centuries. Sure, there are Orthodox churches in these countries, but they are in the minority compared to the Roman Catholic and Lutheran presence.

[Anthony]

It very nearly became Orthodox at one point. The Lithuanians converted relatively late from paganism, and were heavily influenced by Russian (or Belarussian) religion and culture; in fact I think for a while they were regarded as a potential successor state to Kiev. The turning point was when the ruler of Lithuania (Jagiello?) also became King of Poland, and became a Roman Catholic. After this, Lithuania was closely bound up with Polish Roman Catholicism.

This is very simplistic - probably others can give a better answer.

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

This is a good outline.

Within Lithuania there were very many influential Orthodox nobility and families. Many of these were from families found also within Russia and the Ukraine. But there was also a Slavic princely family rooted in Lithuania called the Gedimin which also had influential members within Russia.

At various times up through at least the 16th c the possibility of the Grand Princes of Moscow and Lithuania succeeding to each others thrones was seriously discussed.

In Christ- Fr Raphael





It very nearly became Orthodox at one point. The Lithuanians converted relatively late from paganism, and were heavily influenced by Russian (or Belarussian) religion and culture; in fact I think for a while they were regarded as a potential successor state to Kiev. The turning point was when the ruler of Lithuania (Jagiello?) also became King of Poland, and became a Roman Catholic. After this, Lithuania was closely bound up with Polish Roman Catholicism.

This is very simplistic - probably others can give a better answer.