Votai – išgijimo stebuklų simbolis religijoje ir vaizduojamajame mene
Votive offering – A Miraculous Cure as a Symbol of Religion and Fine Arts

Summary/Abstract: The paper deals with the evolution of votive offering from Antiquity to the present day as the expression of faith in God and divine thanks for a miraculous cure. Votive offering, asking / thanking for health and cure, is a thousand year old tradition still practised nowadays. Information collected by interviewing worshipers and priests in Lithuania was summed up. Unique stories of a miracle cure are provided. Votive offerings were analysed as part of our rich cultural heritage and the fine arts. The tradition of votive offering was viewed as the expression of a belief in miracles. The assumption that the placebo effect is present in a miraculous cure was made. The majority of votive offerings have an artistic value, being part of our cultural heritage they are deposited at museums, churches, private collections.

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