Indrė Šurkutė (PDF)
https://doi.org/10.53631/DIS/2014.6.4
The late Baroque altar of St Victor, found in the Chapel of St Anne at the Church of St John the Baptist and St John the Evangelist (or Vilnius University Church), embodies the most significant mysteries of Catholic Church doctrine. A carved retable depicts the Crucified Christ on the vine, God the Father with the Holy Spirit, saint martyrs and evangelists. This artistic composition is enriched with the inclusion of the relics of 42 saints. The structure of the composition, iconographic details, the combination of symbols, relics and a liturgical service point to the Holy Trinity’s salvation plan for mankind, i.e., Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, witnessed by evangelists. The fruits of this sacrifice are revealed in the Eucharist and the lives of saints. The knowledge of Scripture and the doctrine of faith spread by priests allowed liturgy participants to understand the meaning of this sacred piece of art. The inseparable union of the scenery, mystical reality and an actual liturgical act performed here and now encouraged the perceivers to meditate upon the truths of faith and get personally involved in them.
Keywords: Crucifix, retable, vine, the tree of life, Baroque