The ceremony was attended by crowds of the faithful, as well as by the hierarchy of the Church, Primate of Hungary – Cardinal PéterErdő who attended a ceremony as a special envoy of the Vatican, and the clergy.
Representatives of the authority have also attended the celebration of this anniversary. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitėcongratulated Žemaitija habitants this beautiful anniversary, noting that Lithuania, being baptized, made a huge step in the direction of Europe. Prime Minister AlgirdasButkevičius and the Speaker of Lithuanian SeimasVydasGedvilas also attended the ceremony, which took place in Telšiai Theater. After official ceremony, the representatives of the Seimas and the head of the state attended the Mass.
Representatives of Vilnius region have also participated in the celebrations ofthe 600th Žemaitijabaptism anniversary. The Bishop of Telšiai region Jonas Boruty and Telšiai mayor VytautasKleiva have invited the chairman of the Electoral Action of Poles in Lithuania, MEP WaldemarTomaszewski and the mayor of Vilnius region, Vice-President of EAPL Maria Rekść.
Representatives of Vilnius region attended the ceremony at the Telšiai Theater academy. Later they attended the Mass, which took place in the center of Telšiai market. After attending the Mass on Sunday, the MEP with the steward of Vilnius region along with the throngs of the faithful, walked in procession to the Cathedral from the market.
Lithuania's Žemaitija region, called "the last pagan land in Europe", was baptized in 1413. Žemaitija habitants were the last in Europe who accepted Christianity - nearly a quarter of century after the baptism of Lithuania –but today are recognized as a strong believer group of Lithuanian society. The most important places of worship in Lithuania like the Hill of Crosses in Šiauliaior Šiluvos SaintMergelėsMarijoscenter that is considered a Lithuanian Lourdes, are located in Žemaitija region.
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