Electric breadcrumbs & profound freedom
What I know from living in the former Soviet Union. And what had the power to stop me in my tracks.
This is the smallest rosary I've ever seen.
I’ll never forget the moment I laid eyes on it. Chills ran through my body and my usually slow heart felt a shock of lightening as it pounded in my chest.
The "beads" are hardened bread crumbs from the daily ration that was given to the Lithuanians during their time at labor camps under the Soviet regime.
This is no bigger than a loop of dental floss that you would use on a daily basis. The rosary is that small. And it would have led to escalating punishment, or death, if discovered.
In that moment my faith in God and my understanding of freedom was changed. The creator of this rosary let good loose into the world and it leapt into my heart nearly 60 years later.
Electric breadcrumbs & the profundity of freedom.
Can you feel her? Elena Kirlyté, a citizen of Lithuania, was imprisoned because of her POLITICAL BELIEFS.
You might want to read that again.
Lithuanians—nationalists, intellectuals, and those who refused to conform to Soviet ideology—were arrested and incarcerated here. **
She was not a criminal. She was a citizen who disagreed with the occupation & corrupt rule of her once free country.
In the darkest of days, and in the midst of disbelief, she chose to fashion a rosary and fuel her soul with the sustenance that only faith can provide.
In turn, her courage fuels my soul as well.
Lithuania is about the size of West Virginia. It is located northeast of Poland and Germany, southwest of Russia, and across the Baltic Sea from Sweden & Finland. Its biggest export is FLAX and LINEN. This country’s beautiful people are my friends. They are just like you and me. They are warm, love to laugh and travel to see the world for themselves. They respect their beautiful culture: vibrant textiles, rich and robust music, celebrations of earth’s bounty like mushroom foraging and ancient amber.
From 1940 - 1991 the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) were occupied by the Soviet Regime (Russia). For historical understanding, it may be helpful to know that Ukraine was under Soviet rule from 1922 - 1991, and is under threat of occupation again.
Sovietization moved at a rapid pace, taking little, if any, consideration of the constitutions in force in the three countries. The outlawed communist parties, whose memberships were extremely small, emerged as the leading political force. On July 14–15 the new Soviet regimes organized elections to people’s assemblies in which only a single slate of candidates appeared. The new assemblies immediately voted, by acclamation, to request incorporation of their countries into the U.S.S.R. In early August 1940 these requests were “accepted” by the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. ***
My husband, children and I lived in the capital city of Lithuania, Vilnius, from 2011 - 2014. We lived in St. Petersburg, Russia from 2008 - 2010. The diplomatic work that all of us families in the Foreign Service do is important for peace, freedom, and humankind.
I share my real life experiences, and truthful accounts as a glimpse to those who may otherwise not have access.
Thank you for reading.
Sources and links for you to learn more:
*Photo taken by Megan Twining in 2011 at The Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights https://olkm.lt/en/
**Sovietization quote: https://www.britannica.com/place/Baltic-states/Soviet-occupation
***Prison quote: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/lukiskes-prison-vilnius-lithuania