Church of Sts. Philip and Jacob, the Apostles, and the Dominican Monastery

Šv. Pilypo ir Jokūbo bažnyčia Vilniuje
From the late 17th century the Lukiškės Dominican Church was famous for a miraculous image of the Mother of God. This icon was brought by the artillery general of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. His son gave the image to the Dominicans of Seinai. As the monks already had a statuette of Mary famous for its miracles, they gave the icon as a gift to the Dominican Monastery of the Holy Apostles Philip and Jacob in Vilnius in 1684.

This Church is included as part of the following itineraries: Places of Marian Devotion, The Route of St. Jacob, Dominicans in Vilnius.

Constructed of wood, the Church of Sts. Philip and Jacob, the Apostles, and the Dominican monastery were built in the suburb of Lukiskes in 1642. Among the responsibilities of the Dominican monks were to provide free burial and attend to the spiritual needs of the poor. Prior to the arrival of the Dominicans, the poor had been buried in the city cemetery, which had been located on this site. The wooden Church was burned down during the wars with Moscow. In the 13th century, the Church was reconstructed using masonry materials and remains almost unchanged to this day. During the Soviet occupation, the Church was used as a warehouse for fruit and vegetables, then a storage facility for the Opera and Ballet Theater. A hospital operated in the former monastery until 2004. 

The image of the Mother of God of Lukiskes in this Church became renowned as miraculous at the end of the 17th century. This icon was brought back to Lithuania from wars with Russia by Motiejus Korvinas Gosievskis, artillery general of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Soon after, the faithful started experiencing miracles through the intercession of Our Lady of Lukiskes, which were, subsequently, recorded in the book “The Mystic Fountain” published in 1737.

During the Soviet years, it was thought that the miraculous icon was lost, but it was later discovered at St. Raphael Church, located across the river. After the restoration of Lithuania’s independence, Sts. Philip and Jacob Church and the image of Our Lady of Lukiskes were returned to the Dominicans. The Dominican general vicarage headquarters for Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were established here. In 2015, the newly-restored Church carillon – a unique 61 bell instrument – rang for the first time. This carillon is the largest in the Baltics.

Church is opened
Monday–Saturday – 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday – 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Holy Mass (in Lithuanian)
Monday–Saturday – 12 p.m. (noon), 6 p.m.
Sunday – 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m.
Holy Mass (in Polish)
Sunday – 4 p.m.
Carillion bells can be heard daily. Mini concerts (up to 15 min) begin at 1 p.m. and 7.15 p.m.
More information: vilniauskarilionas.lt
+370 5 212 46 11
rastine.dominikonai@gmail.com