THE NATIONAL MONUMENTS AT THE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP GARDENS IN THUNDER BAY THAT DISPLAY SYMBOLS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

Lithuania ...... pg. 1 ...... pg. 4 The ...... pg. 2 Hungary ...... pg. 5 Slovakia ...... pg. 3 Scotland ...... pg. 6

Commentaries by Msgr. Pat Stilla 2021 1 A Brief History LITHUA N IA The Monument Situated in Northeastern , Housed in a niche in the Garden’s monu- Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, form a ment is a stone sculpture of Christ, goup of nations known as the Baltic scourged before His own crucifixion and States. Of these three, Lithuania, which bearing an expression of exhaustion and has a total population of three million, grief. He is depicted as One Who is con- has the highest density of templating His own unjust Catholics, (about 79%) and treatment and the many in- continues today to be a vi- justices that have been brant Christian nation. waged against other inno- Many Persecutions cent victims in world history. Since the end of the 18th cen- Symbol of the Persecuted tury and until 1991, Lith- As spread in uanians have suffered much Lithuania in the 16th and 17th injustice at the hands of hos- centuries, so did images of tile neighbouring states. this suffering Christ, as wan- ¨ In 1795 the country was dering woodcarvers of na- taken over by ; tive folk culture carved it into ¨ then, in 1915, it was oc- hollowed-out tree trunks. cupied and controlled by Ger- Today it is found through- mans for a short time before out Lithuania (and where it gained independence once Lithuanian immigrants now again after W.W. I in 1918; live) in churches, homes and ¨ in 1940, it was annexed by shrines. It has become the the Soviet Union, resulting in iconic symbol of the inhab- mass executions and deporta- itants of this nation who re- tions of many; late the suffering of Christ to ¨ then again, in June 1941 their own trials as a perse- this small state was captured cuted people. by German Nazis, who practi- The “Lithuanian” Cross cally exterminated the entire An ornate cross, which Jewish population; Lithuanians designed and now identify as ¨ after this, Lithuania was again occu- their own, is at the top of the niche. It is pied by the Soviet Union in July 1944, be- called, the Cross of Divine Redemption, coming a country under Communist rule, surrounded by three symbols of different before gaining independence once again objects found in nature: a radiant sun, a in 1991. crescent moon and tree branches. 2 A Faith History THE UKRAINE The Monument While pockets of Christianity existed in Two dates and three Christian symbols the territory of ‘Kieven Rus’ which we grace this imposing monument, which now know as the Ukraine, the wisespread celebrates the 1, 000 year anniversary of official governmental acceptance of the of the Ukraine. Christianity did not occur until 988 A.D.. The Cross, A Trident and Icons Olga, regent of ‘Kievan Rus’ ¨ An ornate 3 dimensional iron cross When Igor, the Prince of Kiev was killed is the symbol which dominates the in 945 A.D., the crown passed to his son monument. Its large size and position Sviatoslav who was too young at the time denote how important and how cher- to rule. As a result, his ished Christianity is in mother, Olga, acted as the lives of . regent to her son until ¨ Placed in front of 960. During her regency the cross is a trident, an she travelled to Con- ancient and now readily stantinople, then the recognized Ukrainian centre of the Byzantine symbol that was used Empire. There, she by the original rulers of chose to convert to the ‘Kieven Rus’ nation Christianity and to be and was officially baptized. When she re- adopted as the coat of turned home, she urged arms of the Ukrainian her son, Sviatoslav to be Republic in 1918. This baptized as well, but to medieval symbol not no avail. Despite this only depicts the Trinity setback Olga still sowed the seeds of but it also resembles a descending dove, Christianity by having churches built in which represents the Holy Spirit. many cities in her nation. ¨ Icons of Olga and Vladimir Prince Vladimir the Great Below the 1, 000 year span of Christian- When Sviatoslav died, Olga’s grandson, ity represented by the two dates, are the Vladimir, who succeeded his father, did figures of St. Olga and St. Vladimir. True convert to Christianity and, in 988 A.D. to historical facts, Olga is depicted, pre- officially Christianized his nation. Be- senting the cross to her people (introduc- cause of their efforts, both Olga and ing Christianity) and Vladimir, firmly Vladimir are venerated today, as planting the cross in his land (officially champions of the Faith by Ukrainians. establishing the Faith there). 3 The Monument SLOVAKIA Close to the area adjoining St. ’s of this land. It is used on the crest to rep- Hogarth-Riverview Manor is where we resent Slovakia as an heir and guardian find the large imposing Monument to of Christian Faith! missionaries from the the Slovak Nation. who brought the Chris- Mountain Ranges tian Faith to the peoples of this land. It is As we approach, we see three concrete used on the crest to represent Slovakia triangular pyramids, firmly planted close as heir and guardian of Christian Faith! together and reaching up Two Great Saints to the sky. They artisti- In the 9th century, Ratislav, cally depict the majestic the Moravian Prince re- mountain ranges that are quested that the Byzantine found in this part of East- Emperor send missionaries ern Europe. Two of the to Moravia, (which today three represent the Tatra encompasses Slovakia and and Fatra ranges in the other Eastern nations), “to Carpathian Mountains in explain the Christian truths what is present day, to his subjects, in their na- Slovakia. The third tive language”. The broth- monolith represents the ers, Cyril & Methodius “Matra” mountains, now were sent. They translated located in neighbouring Hungary. prayers and rituals in the language The Christian Crest of the people and Christianity be- Engraved on the face of the came well established thoughout middle stone pyramid is a blue the land. rectangle which contains the An Important Castle and Village coat of arms of Slovakia. At its Adjacent to the principle Monu- bolic of the mountain ment is a painstakingly ranges already mentioned fashioned replica of a castle above. Above them is a built in the thirteenth cen- double barred cross of tury on a mountain above Christ, which is often used the Orava river in the north- by Christians of Eastern ern Slovakian village of Europe. This double barred cross was in- Oravský Podzámok. According to the at- troduced to this region by the two mis- tached information plaque, the majority sionaries from the Byzantine Empire who of the original Slovak immigrants to Thun- brought the Christian Faith to the peoples der Bay came from this area. 4 “Polonia Semper Fidelis” POLAND A Memorial Prayer Shrine In 966 A.D., when Poland emerged as an ¨ The Black Madonna of Czestochowa independent state, its ruler at the time This famous icon of Mary, venerated as embraced Christianity with his entire na- the Queen of all , has been inti- tion. Since then and, throughout much mately associated with Poland for the of Polish history, the has past 600 years. It has become a symbol continued to play a major role in Poland’s of protection and of the cultural identity education, culture and morality. Hence, of the entire population of Poland. the Latin phrase, Hence, it is not surpris- “Polonia Semper ing that her image Fidelis” (“Poland is For- would appear at the ever Faithful”) is the top of this second motto on the lips of monument in our lo- proud Poles all over cal Polish memorial! the world. It under- ¨ A Very Popular Pole lines their conviction A bronze plaque below that Poland will con- the Madonna pays tinue to always be a tribute to one of the Christian State! most famous and popular Poles of all The Polish Eagle time, St. John Paul II. Canonized a Saint The principle monu- shortly after his death, John Paul is the ment of Poland which only Pole who was ever elected to the Pa- stands on top of a pacy in the Church’s two thousand year grassy hill in the Park history. Under the Holy Father’s image displays the secular are engraved these lov- side of the Polish Re- ing and memorable public. There, between two stone pillars words: “ In Memory of is depicted a crowned white eagle, the John Paul II, Be- centuries old and universally recognized loved son of the Polish image of the Polish State. The crown, as Nation; dedicated by well as the eagle's beak and talons, are grateful fellow citizens golden, its wings are outstretched and of Thunder Bay”. its head is turned to its right. Of course, Below, two other plaques complete this the Monument’s displayed dates, (1867 shrine. One commemorates Poland’s and 1967), pay tribute to Canada’s cen- millennium as a nation and the other cel- tennial of Confederation. ebrates its 1,050 th year of Christianity. 5

The Monument HUNGARY As we enter the Friendship Gardens from crown which was sent to him by the Pope. its western arched walkway, we encoun- It is still enshrined in their Parliament. ter this curved stone Monument, with its Christian Symbols Christ-centred coat of arms. Two Emblems of the Christian Faith are Early Settlers prominently dis- “Magyars”, are the played on our ancestors of the Monument’s Coat of Hungarians of to- Arms: the “Double- day. They migrated barred Cross” on its westward from the shield and the “Holy region of the Urals Crown” at the top in the late 9th cen- (see inset). The left tury, to settle in the “secular” side of the Carpathian basin and to es- divided shield features 4 horizontal tablish a principality there. stripes, which represent the 4 rivers of Their faith then was a pagan- Hungary. The right “religious” side, with ism based on ancient myths. its 3 hills is dominated by a double-barred Hungary’s First King cross, the symbol of Christ, commonly Christianity was first estab- used in most Eastern European states . lished in Hungary during the The “Holy Crown” reign of St. Stephen I, venerated by all Although Hungary is no longer Hungarians as their first King and found- a Kingdom but a Republic, a ing Father of the Nation. Stephen was royal crown was left to sit atop baptised into the Christian Faith just be- the shield because it is a fore he succeeded his father as ruler, in model of the one worn by St. 997. As leader, he unified the various Stephen. Unique to this “Hun- tribes of the Carpathian Basin into what garian” crown, is its slanted cross at the is now Hungary and pledged to protect top. Legends abound as to why it is bent. its independence. Then, he set about Some say that it happened when it was to transform his nation into a Christian sent from Rome, while others believe it state. His endeavour was rewarded by was damaged in the 17th century when it Pope Sylvester II, who sanctioned and was hastily hidden from invaders. In any blessed his reign as sovereign of Hungary. case, it was decided to leave it in this way, On Christmas Day in 1000 A.D. he was since this odd feature identifies it as a crowned as Hungary’s first king with a Christian crown, unique to Hungary. 6 Scotland’s Patron Saint SCOTLAND Andrew, the Apostle, has been cel- were brought to and enshrined in ebrated in Scotland for over 1, 000 years, the town of St. Andrew, in Scotland. by annual feasts being held in his honour Saint Andrew’s Cross on his day, November 30th. However, it After he was officially recognized as their was not until 1320 that he was officially Patron Saint, Scots have used Andrew’s proclaimed Scotland’s Patron Saint. “X” shaped cross as an identifying sym- St. Andrew bol of their land. The Gospels tell It is found on us that Andrew their flag in was a fisherman white on a blue who was born in field (called, the Bethsaida, Gali- Saltire), and as lee, the then one of the sym- principal fishing bolic Saints’ port of Pales- crosses on the tine. He and his U.K.’s, Union brother, Simon Jack. It is also Peter were called by Jesus to be two of His 12 worn as a badge on hats in Scotland and Apostles. After the Ascension of Jesus, appears on souvenirs everywhere Andrew went on to preach the Gospel throughout the nation. around the shores of the Black Sea and Our Canadian “New Scotland” throughout In our country, what is now the flag of Greece and Nova Scotia Turkey. Like (New Scotland) most of the bears the Apostles and same “X” sym- disciples of Jesus, he was imprisoned for bol though it is a blue cross on a white his preaching and was executed by or- field with the Royal Lion in the centre. der of the Roman Governor. He was Finally, it is also used as an identifying martyred in 60 A.D. in Greece by cruci- symbol of Christian Scotland right here fixion on an “X” shaped cross. His relics in Thunder Bay’s Friendship Gardens. were first brought to The “X” shaped cross of Scotland’s Pa- (modern day, Istanbul) and later to Italy. tron, St. Andrew, emanates in four direc- It is believed that some of Andrew’s tions from the base of this Memorial!