Basilica of the Resurrection

Kaunas Our Lord Jesus Christ's Resurrection Basilica

The Kaunas Our Lord Jesus Christ's Resurrection Basilica, often referred to as the Resurrection Basilica, is a monumental Roman Catholic minor basilica located in Kaunas, Lithuania. It holds the distinction of being the largest basilical church in the Baltic states. Its construction was initiated after Lithuania regained its independence in 1918, serving as a symbol of gratitude for this renewed freedom.

History and Construction

The vision for a new church to express thanks for regained independence gained momentum in 1926 with the establishment of a committee led by President Antanas Smetona. Kaunas was chosen as the site for this significant undertaking, as it served as the temporary capital during the period when Vilnius was under Polish control. A design competition in 1928 resulted in the selection of Karolis Reisonas's proposal. However, the grand scope and technical challenges of the design led to significant cost escalations, with the final design not being approved until 1933.

The symbolic cornerstone for the church was brought from Jerusalem's Mount of Olives in 1934. Funding for the ambitious project came from both within Lithuania and from abroad, with notable efforts by parson Feliksas Kapočius, who traveled to the United States to gather support from the Lithuanian diaspora. Construction faced numerous setbacks and periods of suspension due to a lack of funds. By 1938, the walls and roof were completed, and the church was largely finished by 1940, having cost approximately one million litas, largely from individual donations. The original intention was for the completed church to serve as a national pantheon, featuring underground crypts for the remains of distinguished Lithuanians.

Wartime and Soviet Era

Further construction was halted by World War II. During the Nazi occupation, the church was used as a storeroom. Under Soviet rule, it was confiscated by the government and, by a decree from Stalin in 1952, was repurposed as a factory. This period saw the demolition of the cross atop the tower and the church's chapel.

Restoration and Re-dedication

The building served as the Banga radio factory until the Lithuanian national awakening in 1988. Following this resurgence, control of the church was returned to a newly formed council, and the factory was eventually ordered to vacate. The church was left in a severely deteriorated state after decades of misuse. The 1990s presented further obstacles to its rehabilitation due to the official separation of church and state and economic challenges. Urgent repairs were carried out between 1993 and 1997 to prevent further decay. Restoration efforts gained momentum in 1997 with government financial support. Holy Mass was celebrated for the first time in 1997 while the church was still under scaffolding. The church was consecrated in 2004, followed by the consecration of its columbarium in 2006. The Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Šiluva was consecrated on the roof in 2004. The high relief "Risen Christ," created by sculptor Vytautas Kašuba, was consecrated on April 25, 2011, marking the completion of the sanctuary's renovation. In 2015, Pope Francis bestowed the title of minor basilica upon the church.

The Basilica Today

The Basilica of the Resurrection now features two towers, one standing at 70 meters. An elevator provides access to the basilica's roof, offering panoramic views of Kaunas. Situated atop Kaunas's Green Hill (Žaliakalnis), its cellarage contains a columbarium and a parish museum. Beyond its religious functions, the basilica is also utilized for community gatherings, events, and as a preschool. The sanctuary can seat 400 worshippers, with the entire building accommodating approximately 5,000 people.