The History and future of theological studies in Lithuania
EN[...] The history of theological studies in Lithuania can be divided into four periods: 1) the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Lithuanian-Polish Common wealth (from the Christianization of Lithuania in 1387 until annexation by the Russian Empire in 1795); 2) a Province of the Russian Empire (1795–1918); 3) the Republic of Lithuania (1918–1944); 3) Soviet religious persecution (1944–1990); 4) the Restored Republic of Lithuania (1990–present). The Grand Duchy of Lithuania had been Christianized back in 1387, but almost all modern theological institutions date from either the first or second period of the Republic of Lithuania (1918–1944; 1990–now). To be more precise, the restoration of the old institutions and establishment of the new began after 1989 when, as a part of Glasnost and Perestroika policies, the Soviet Union ceased its persecution of religious communities. In this chapter, we will first present the confessional landscape of Lithuania and then discuss the history and present situation of higher theological education in the country. The historical and confessional divisions of the country will constitute our framework. The purpose of this contribution is to present and analyze theological institutions and educational practices in effect so that tendencies and future perspectives become clear. [Extract, p. 82].
