But the most amazing symbol of the strength of their faith is a small hill in the country. It's called “The Hill of Crosses”. Nobody knows who put the first cross on the hill, but one legend tells the story of a father who had a sick daughter. In a dream, he was told to put a cross on a hill. He made one and dragged it all the way.
The hill was a painful sight in the eyes of the Communists…a sign of resistance they couldn't allow; so three times, they bulldozed it down.
Almost every Lithuanian family has relatives who were in prison. For every person who was sent to Siberia, a crucifix is put underneath this huge cross. It is called, “The Siberian Christ”.
From the beginning, every cross planted has a story, a wish, a hope, or a burden behind it. Families come to the hill and gives thanks to the Lord because He was with them in their suffering. And they commemorate their brothers and sisters who were killed during the Communist Regime.
But night after night, people went to the hill, even though it could mean prison. And they planted their crosses again and again…and again.
Today, you can still visit this small symbol of hope and perseverance, “The Hill of Crosses”, and you can add your own cross with your wish, your hope, and your story.
…the minute he planted the cross, his daughter was cured.
…people went to the hill, even though it could mean prison.
The Communist Regime desperately wanted to destroy this inner cross, but they couldn't! So they tried, at least, to destroy the outward signs; but even that failed!
It was a painful and hard thing to do; and his daughter explained later, that she felt his suffering and his love for her with every step he took. The minute he planted the cross, his daughter was cured.
