Kult Góry Trzech Krzyży na Litwie, w Polsce i Łatgalii (na Łotwie) – symbolem duchowości i walk narodów o wolność religijną

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to investigate the cult of the Hill of Three Crosses in Lithuania, Poland and Lettgallia (Latvia). The goals of the investigation were: first – to describe the history of the temples of the Hills of Three Crosses in short, referring to the historical sources and folklore; second – to investigate and to designate the time, place and characteristics of the rituals, prayers, hymns carried out by the folk in them, referring to the material of the summer outdoor expeditions; third – to review the religious and geopolitical events in Lithuania, Poland and Latvia, that could have helped this religious phenomenon to get established. The investigations that were carried out helped to make these conclusions: 1. The establishment of these cult places is associated with Polish religious culture: Cross path rituals of Poland and „Mournful Cry“ prayers and hymns. The cult of the Hill of Three Crosses in Lithuania, Poland and Latvia originated in the background of the wars and disasters of the XVI – XVII centuries. 3. The cult of the Three Crosses in Lithuania, Poland and Latvia is a distinctive symbol of Catholicism in Lithuania – Polish Kingdom. The results validate the hypothesis that Cult of the Hill of Three Crosses in Lithuania, Poland and Lettgallia (Latvia) is a symbol of spirituality and nationality of religion freedom.