Former Lithuanian Head of State Vytautas Landsbergis joined Lithuanian Catholics for Mass and a parish fair for the feast of St. Casimir, patron of Lithuania, at the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Williamsburg, March 5.

“Today is such a festive mood and I’m happy to be here to participate, to enjoy together with young and elder Lithuanians,” said Landsbergis, who opened the festivities following morning Mass.

Boy and Girl Scouts from the New York Lithuanian Scouts Association hosted the fair, an annual event for Annunciation Church. It was held in nearby Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish hall. Amid tables of folk art and ethnic fare that herald the spring season for Lithuanians, attendees lined up for the chance to meet and offer words of thanks to this Lithuanian national hero.

A music professor turned politician, Landsbergis led the peaceful movement that achieved Lithuanian independence from the Soviet Union in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“It’s a great honor for you to be here with us,” Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, parish administrator, said in welcoming Landsbergis to his parish. The professor was joined by Lithuanian Consul General Julius Pranevicius. Landsbergis is visiting the U.S. to raise funds for disabled children in Lithuania.

Annunciation Church, which has received waves of Lithuanian immigrants since 1914, was filled with several generations of families who came from as far as Connecticut, New Jersey and Long Island to witness Landsbergis’ visit.

“Because of your work and dedication and faith, along with our Holy Father (St. Pope John Paul II), communism fell and religious freedom came to all of the people” in Lithuania and the surrounding Eastern Bloc countries, the monsignor noted in his welcome address.

March 11 marks the 27th anniversary of Lithuania reclaiming its independence from Soviet rule, and after the final blessing, Landsbergis took the pulpit to recall that moment in history.

“Professor Landsbergis spoke about when Lithuania was striving for independence and how the nation was unified, how they resisted peacefully,” said Raymond Slizys, a parish trustee who was born in Woodhaven but is deeply connected to his Lithuanian roots.

When Slizys was growing up, he said, “It was like Lithuania had been wiped off the maps. Even some of my teachers didn’t know where Lithuania was. When the independence movement started … it brought the issue to the world’s attention.”

He was drawn to Landsbergis’ advocacy of peaceful means to effect change. Lithuania’s independence movement was often called the “Singing Revolution,” Slizys noted, because it was marked by peaceful protest rallies where people would carry candles, pray and sing religious hymns.

“He set the tone. He set the example,” Slizys said.

When asked about his courage in the face of dealing with Soviet troops and dangerous situations, Lansbergis said that he wasn’t courageous. He did what he felt was right, what was necessary for the good of the country, without worrying about what may or may not have happened to him.

“Christian faith has the greatest sense, not for Christians only but for every human being. As the Teacher said, it’s about love. His Apostle said, if I were very mighty, and very rich and very wise, but do not have love, I am nothing.”

“The main danger for humankind is senselessness,” the professor added, and giving oneself over to animosity, hatred and anger, rather than love. The time given to humankind on this earth is better used toward noble pursuits.

Addressing the congregation, comprised of Lithuanian natives, their children and grandchildren, he thanked them for the good example they set by being involved in their church and community, and honoring their culture and heritage abroad.

Landsbergis was honored with a plaque from the scouts. He returned the favor by placing colored ties around the necks of those boys and girls who were being elevated in rank during the fair. Scout members pledged their devotion to God and country, and sang traditional scout songs as well as the national anthems of the U.S. and Lithuania.

During Mass, scouts also marched in the entrance procession and served as lectors. Father Vytautas Voleras, diocesan coordinator of ministry to Lithuanians, celebrated the Mass in Lithuanian.

While the younger generation might have been unfamiliar with Landsbergis’ name and role – not only in Lithuania’s history, but also world history – their parents and grandparents were honored to be in his presence.

“This is such a significant moment, having him here,” said scout leader Nida Stankunas-Schmedlen, a second-generation Lithuanian-American who travels from Connecticut to Brooklyn every Sunday for Mass.

Her Lithuanian-born mother was displaced to Germany after World War II and after Lithuania was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940.

“For me, he’s one of the symbols of a free Lithuania,” she said.