Memorial Service in Vilnius

A holy mass in Vaiva’s memory was said Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at St. Casimir’s Lithuanian Jesuit church in Vilnius Old Town across the street from the old Town Hall. It is the same church where Vaiva’s eldest son Aras was wed last year.

According to tradition, a memorial service is held within three days of a person’s death. The tradition is rooted in the Christian belief that Christ rose from the dead on the third day.

200 people filled St. Casimir’s church to attend the hour-long service which began at 16.00 hrs. Vilnius time.

President Valdas Adamkus and his wife Alma joined Vaiva’s brother Evaldas, her sister Silvija, their families and other relatives. Former minister of Education and Culture, poet and literary critic Kornelijus Platelis attended the memorial service, along with dozens of Vaiva’s colleagues from the President’s Chancery, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Educational Development Center and the Center for Teacher Professional Development.

The mass was said by the pastor of St. Casimir’s the Rev. Lionginas Virbilas, who noted in his homily that Vaiva gave of herself to family, friends and Lithuania and in doing so continues to live on in their hearts and minds.

The service was arranged by Vaiva’s close friends and colleagues: Darius Kuolys, the first Minister of Education and Culture after Lithuanian independence was restored, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science Dainius Numgaudis, the Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science Alvydas Puodžiukas.

Romas