Saw an amazing piece on ABC’s Foreign Correspondent last night about Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses. It’s a small non-descript hill about 10 metres high that’s covered by an estimated 100,000 crosses, crucifixes, effigies of Jesus and Mary, and countless more rosary beads that hang off of them. All were brought in by Catholic pilgrims since the 14th century and by tourists more recently.

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It has been razed and bulldozed several times when Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union. Not only because it is Catholic in nature and the Communists are atheists, but because it was and still is a symbol of Lithuanian identity.

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The KGB prevented Lithuanians from visiting the site during the Soviet years. But even with soldiers posted to guard the hill, crosses would mysteriously appear over time.

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Catholic or not, this place is awe-inspiring and is a symbol of love, hope and peace not only for Lithuanians but now also the world. And boy, do we need it.

Read more about Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses in its Wikipedia entry.