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The Kazickas Family's Visit to Chornaya Padina, Saratov Region, Russia
07/28/2016

The Kazickas family's visit to Chornaya Padina, Saratov Region, Russia - Dr. Kazickas' birthplace (1918). The village was founded by the Lithuanian deportees, participants of the uprising of 1863 against the Russian Empire.


The visit had couple missions. First, to see the Chapel (built in 2004, funded by the KFF) and to celebrate dr. J. P. Kazickas's memory, who was born in Chornaya Padina. Second, to meet with the Kazickas relatives who still live there. Third, to bring funds for the school computer and up-keeping of the chapel, and to see the needs of the villagers. Apart from the Holy Mass and a wonderful lunch with the villagers, the Kazickas Family members visited Chornaya Padina cemetery also a place where the second Lithuanian village once stood, and had a meeting with the Saratov Roman Catholic Church bishop to discuss the future help for the village through Caritas.

 

Jurate Kazickas was interviewed for one of Saratov radio stations. She spoke about her visit and her plans to translate the Odyssey of Hope (her parents' memoirs) into Russian.

 

Photo above: St. Catherine's chapel built in 2004 in memory of dr. J. P. Kazickas' Mother


Relatives of those who were born in Chornaya Padina, came for a visit from Lithuania and the US
Relatives of those who were born in Chornaya Padina, came for a visit from Lithuania and the US
Remembering Dr. J. P. Kazickas
Remembering Dr. J. P. Kazickas
Holy Mass in Memory of Dr. J. P. Kazickas
Holy Mass in Memory of Dr. J. P. Kazickas
Saratov region steppe's the most fertile soil has hardy been used...
Saratov region steppe's the most fertile soil has hardy been used...

152 years old village now has less than 200 people of seven nationalities...
152 years old village now has less than 200 people of seven nationalities...
In place of the Lithuanian Catholic Church built at the end of the 19th century, which was destroyed by the 1917 revolutionaries, now stands a club.
In place of the Lithuanian Catholic Church built at the end of the 19th century, which was destroyed by the 1917 revolutionaries, now stands a club.
The Kazickas Family members and relatives of those who once lived here with the Lithuanians of nowadays Chornaya Padina. The older generation still speaks good Lithuanian
The Kazickas Family members and relatives of those who once lived here with the Lithuanians of nowadays Chornaya Padina. The older generation still speaks good Lithuanian
St. Catherine's chapel was built in remembrance of the deported participants of the 1863 upraising. The Chapel was funded by the Kazickas Family
St. Catherine's chapel was built in remembrance of the deported participants of the 1863 upraising. The Chapel was funded by the Kazickas Family

The time has stopped for 150 years in the Lithuanian homestead
The time has stopped for 150 years in the Lithuanian homestead
Gates and window shutters are beautifully decorated
Gates and window shutters are beautifully decorated
In this very peaceful place it is hard to tell if anyone lives in these homes
In this very peaceful place it is hard to tell if anyone lives in these homes
It used to be a prosperous Lithuanian village from 1860s until 1920. The fertile soil is abundant to this day ...In 1922 almost all the people left for Lithuania since bolsheviks took all their grain away
It used to be a prosperous Lithuanian village from 1860s until 1920. The fertile soil is abundant to this day ...In 1922 almost all the people left for Lithuania since bolsheviks took all their grain away

A fragment of dozens of the Lithuanian family names of the deportees
A fragment of dozens of the Lithuanian family names of the deportees
The monument in memory of the Lithuanian deportees and the chains people were secured with not to escape the deportation trip of five months
The monument in memory of the Lithuanian deportees and the chains people were secured with not to escape the deportation trip of five months
A cross in the steppe marking one of two more Lithuanian villages which were settled by 1707 deportees in the region in 1864
A cross in the steppe marking one of two more Lithuanian villages which were settled by 1707 deportees in the region in 1864
In memory of dr. J. P. Kazickas
In memory of dr. J. P. Kazickas

Chapel of Joseph and Alexandra Kazickas was constructed in celebration of the 140th anniversary of Chornaya Padina. In honor of Polish and Lithuanian deportees, participants of 1863 Upraisal who settled the village
Chapel of Joseph and Alexandra Kazickas was constructed in celebration of the 140th anniversary of Chornaya Padina. In honor of Polish and Lithuanian deportees, participants of 1863 Upraisal who settled the village
The Chapel was built in 2004 thanks to the funds of Joseph and Alexandra Kazickas, descendants of the deported revolutionaries, and donations of other US citizens
The Chapel was built in 2004 thanks to the funds of Joseph and Alexandra Kazickas, descendants of the deported revolutionaries, and donations of other US citizens

Photos: Neila Baumiliene

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