Pivašiūnai hosts major religious pilgrimage for Feast of the Assumption

Thousands of believers gathered in Pivašiūnai to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as Žolinė. The event serves as a major pilgrimage to the most significant site within the Kaišiadorys Diocese, which is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The Holy Mass was celebrated by Kaišiadorys Bishop Jonas Ivanauskas, with participation from various clergy, including Bishops Darius Trijonis and Eugenijus Bartulis, as well as guest Bishop Gerhard Feige from Magdeburg, Germany. The ceremony included musical performances by the joint choir of the Kaišiadorys Diocese and the Birutė Battalion Orchestra.

Local officials, including Alytus District Mayor Rasa Vitkauskienė and Lithuania's Minister of Agriculture Kęstutis Mažeika, were in attendance. The celebration maintained long-standing traditions, with many participants carrying blessed bouquets of herbs to commemorate the feast.