Cathedral of the Theotokos, Vilnius

The Cathedral of the Theotokos in Vilnius is a significant Orthodox Christian church, serving as the episcopal seat of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Metropolitan of Vilnius and all Lithuania. This ancient church has a rich history that dates back to the 14th century, even before the Christianization of Lithuania. It was a significant spiritual center that served the growing Christian population of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The cathedral was built in 1346 during the reign of Grand Duke Algirdas for his Orthodox second wife, Uliana of Tver. It is one of the oldest buildings in Vilnius and has witnessed many important events in Lithuania's history. The cathedral was the site of the marriage between Grand Duke Aleksandras of Lithuania and Helena of Moscow, daughter of Ivan III, which took place in 1495 in the presence of Saint Macarius. Helena was later buried there in 1513.

The cathedral was abandoned in 1748 after a major fire and was used for various other purposes. It was reconstructed in the Baroque style in 1785, but it was once again destroyed during the Kościuszko Uprising by the Russian army. Despite being damaged during World War II, the cathedral was restored in 1948, although renovations were not completed until 1957.

Today, the Cathedral of the Theotokos belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church and continues to serve as an important spiritual center for Orthodox Christians. Its services are attended mostly by ethnic Russian and Belarusian residents of Vilnius. The cathedral is a testament to the rich history of Lithuania and the enduring legacy of Orthodoxy in the region.