In Vladimir, Russian Federation, the Public Chamber for patriotic projects and the preservation of historical memory has demanded that a portrait of Lithuanian Archbishop Teofilius Matulionis be removed from the walls of the Catholic Church of the Holy Rosary. The clergyman was repressed by the Bolshevik regime and several years ago was officially proclaimed a Blessed martyr for the faith.

This was reported by the outlet Chesnok.media.
Members of the Public Chamber recalled that the bishop had been convicted “for anti Soviet activity and collaboration during the war,” and described the display of the portrait as “yet another attempt to distort historical reality.”

Earlier, memorial plaques depicting Catholic religious figures whom local authorities and the public regarded as “collaborators and accomplices of Nazi Germany” had already been removed from the church.

The chairman of the Public Chamber, Anatoly Annin, stated that it is necessary to appeal to the “relevant authorities.” It is worth recalling that the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation contains an article establishing punishment for the “rehabilitation of Nazism.” Under this provision, both fines and custodial sentences may be imposed.

Blessed Teofilius Matulionis, 1873 to 1962, was a Lithuanian archbishop, martyr, and bishop of Kaišiadorys, repressed by the Soviet authorities for his loyalty to the Church and refusal to cooperate. He endured arrests and labor camps, becoming a symbol of resistance. He served part of his sentence in the Vladimir Central Prison.

In 2017, Pope Francis beatified Teofilius Matulionis, and the beatification took place in Vilnius. His portrait first appeared in the Catholic church in the city of Vladimir in July 2019.

Several years ago, a stele dedicated to foreigners held and deceased in the Vladimir Central Prison was demolished at the Knyaz Vladimir Cemetery. The foreign ministries and embassies of Estonia, Poland, and Lithuania sent notes of protest to the Russian Foreign Ministry.