Vilnius Gate of Dawn

  The Gate of Dawn chapel with its venerable painting of Mary the Mother of Mercy is one of Lithuania’s most important religious, historical and cultural sites. This is the foremost Marian shrine in the Vilnius archdiocese and a destination for pilgrims from many countries, not only Catholic, but also Orthodox. The Gate of Dawn is surrounded by the Church of St Teresa, the Eastern-rite Catholic Monastery of the Holy Trinity and the Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Spirit. Today the Dawn Gate chapel is closely linked with the Church of St Teresa of Avila, which the Discalced Carmelites built in 1654 alongside their large monastery and courtyards. Pictorial art on the walls of the church is a uniquely impressive example of the Discalced Carmelites’ artistic heritage in Lithuania.

  Lithuanian Grand Duke Aleksandras (1460–1506) granted Vilnius the privilege of building stone fortifications around the entire city. The gate, which now houses a chapel with a painting of the Mother of Mercy, was first mentioned in 1514 and referred to as the Medininkai Gate. Residents of the Lithuanian capital believed it was the protection of Our Lady of the Dawn Gate that saved their city from total destruction. The Blessed Virgin restrained the fires and, like the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament, dealt mercilessly with attacking foes. Western and Eastern Rite Christians, Uniates and Orthodox all prayed with devotion in front of the miraculous image of the Mother of Mercy.

Information for visitors:

Vilnius Church of St Teresa
Ausros Vartu St. 14, 01129 Vilnius
Tel. +370 5 212 3513, Fax +370 5 269 1235
E-mail info@ausrosvartai.lt
www.ausrosvartai.lt

The Gate of Dawn Chapel is open 6:00-19:00
St Teresa’s Church is open 7:00-12:00, 16:00-19:15

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