Lithuania’s16 February Celebration in Washington USA

Lithuanians of the US Capital region celebrated on Sunday, 15 February, the 97th anniversary of Lithuania as the modern day State, on one of the most blistery, cold days in recent memory. The day’s celebration started with a Latin mass in St. Matthews Cathedral. Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas of the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States welcomed the congregation the historic downtown cathedral. At the end of the service, Deanne Howes sang the Lithuanian national anthem, joined by well over 150 Lithuanians. The attendees walked the short distance on icy sidewalks to a nearby hotel for a breakfast. Washington Lithuanian Community leader, Danelė Vidutienė, introduced Žygimantas Pavilionis, Lithuania’s Ambassador to the United States. The Ambassador gave a brief overview of his tenure in the US Capital.