Aglona

Situated in the midst of a pine forest, this shrine is of a national importance.

Origin

The origin of the image venerated there is very ancient. It is believed to have been painted by St Luke and given to Czar Emmanuel by the Church of Constantinople before it was donated to the Dominicans and the Cathedral of Aglona.

Around the shrine, a hospital, a school, a seminary, and a library were gradually established. But in 1840 the czarist regime transformed the convent into a prison for Catholic priests. It wasn't returned to the Catholic authorities until 1920. The bishop of Riga made it its seat then. The shrine was an important destination for pilgrimages even during the communist repression.

Feast days

August 15 (Assumption) and Pentecost.

The basilica is visited by nearly 20,000 pilgrims.

Visit of John Paul II

In 1980, Pope John Paul II raised this shrine to the rank of minor basilica. He celebrated Mass and visited the shrine on September 9, 1993. Catholics, Orthodox, and Lutherans were present to sing together the praises of the Mother of God.

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