80th anniversary of the consecration of the church in Podborze

This year’s celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven was exceptional for the residents of Podborze. 80 years ago, in 1934, the Archbishop of Vilnius Romuald Jałbrzykowski consecrated the church in Podborze. In the jubilee year, numerous residents of the parish came as well as those who feel connected to it.

The solemn mass was celebrated by the priest of the St. Peter the Apostle parish in Šalčininkai – pr. Wacław Wołodkowicz, he was assisted by the priest of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in Podborze – pr. Szymon Wikło and the priest of the Discovery of the Holy Cross in Vilnius parish – pr. Rusłan Wilkiel.

The church in Podborze is a joint effort of all its inhabitants. It was built on the land that the owner of the property in Podborze, Adam Mickiewicz, by virtue of his testament passed for the construction of the Catholic temple. In his will, Adam Mickiewicz wrote that the pastoral ministry in the church in Podborze must be fulfil by the Pole because the residents of this town are Poles. Yet for the life of Adam Mickiewicz in Podborze, the makeshift chapel was created – it was the place where pr. Stanisław Możejko was celebrating masses.

A new parish priest – Eugeniusz Zasztowt undertook the construction of the church. A well-known Vilnius architect Jan Borowski designed the building. The residents of the parish contributed to the construction of the temple financially and by offering building materials and working on the building site.

Today’s parishioners are the descendants of those who built the church. The mayor of the Šalčininkai region Zdzisław Palewicz was present during the celebration and he addressed these people and said that this church “is not only a large and beautiful building but it is alive, here the cultural life is buzzing, the educational activity is being carried out, and thanks to it the national identity is preserved. This church is a gushing source to which the thirsty parishioners come”.

After the end of the church ceremony there were concerts of the brass orchestra of the St. Moniuszko School of Fine Arts in Šalčininkai, Song and Dance Group “Solczanie” and Catherine Zvonkuvienė as well as the Chestnut Choir of Vilnius region.

On the basis of: salcininkai.lt