The Gate of Dawn (Ausros Vartai) Chapel was too crowded to visit during the morning sightseeing tour of Vilnius. With such an interesting history, we were determined to see it and went back by ourselves in the afternoon. The Gate of Dawn is one of the symbols of Vilnius and dates back to 1514. Before becoming associated as a house of worship,

The Gate of Dawn was one of the 10 gates in the defensive wall of Vilnius and is the only one that has survived. The last time the defenses were used was during the war of 1812 when Napoleon’s army stormed Vilnius on his way to Moscow. This gate was originally called the Medininkai Gate since the road to Medininkai passed through it and was later changed to “Gate of Dawn” for two possible reasons. One – the gate faces East where the Dawn breaks, and two – Mother Mary used to be called Star of Dawn.

The Ausros Vartai Chapel and St. Therese belonged to the Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites, a religious order with 800 years of history. (They are famous for their mystical theology.) The present interior of the St. Therese was created in the second half of 18th century, has been preserved and the impressive main altar is among the most amazing in Lithuania. Both the chapel and church are next to each other and easy to visit at the same time.

miraculous Mother Mary in the Ausros Vartai Chapel, Vilnius
The painting of Holy Mother Mary is considered miraculous, particularly by Polish pilgrims who come every week to pray for a miracle. The “Mother Mary, Mother of Compassion” picture is a prominent Renaissance painting and was painted specifically for this chapel in the 17th century. There are similar copies in most Polish churches.

Guide, Stefan, had told us that there were votive offerings of body parts all over the chapel and silly me visualized little pieces of encased body parts. Similar to the relics in many churches. You know, a toe from this saint, hair from another, etc. What he meant was little pieces of silver and other metal body parts all over the walls! Legs, arms, heads and a majority of hearts representing “broken hearts” that have been healed.

If you are looking for a miracle, enter and repeat, “Mother of Mercy we pray for your protection” and, if your miracle comes to pass, return with a replica of your particular miracle.