March for Jesus – A Unique Spiritual Gathering Through My Lens

A few days ago, I attended and photographed a public event here in Kaunas, Lithuania, called March for Jesus. It was organized by local Christian communities, mostly from smaller, less dominant denominations in Lithuania—such as Pentecostals, Baptists, and other Evangelical groups. While I didn’t know all the exact affiliations, the atmosphere was unmistakably vibrant, energetic, and very different from the traditional Catholic settings I grew up around. And I do not belong to any religious community at this moment, so it was interesting to observe everything as an outsider.

The event began near a small park in the city center, where the participants gathered to sing worship songs to Jesus. There was music, dancing, joyful clapping, and an undeniable sense of collective enthusiasm. It felt more like a spontaneous celebration than a formal religious ceremony. The energy was contagious—even as an observer, I found myself smiling at their joy and unity.

After some time spent singing and dancing, the crowd began to move. Guided by a police escort, they marched through the main pedestrian street in Kaunas. There were musicians walking alongside them with instruments and portable sound equipment somehow wired up and rolling along, pumping music into the open street. One man was leading the crowd with a microphone, both energizing the group and addressing passersby, inviting everyone to join their evening conference and concert happening later that day.

What struck me most was the openness and performative nature of the event. It wasn’t just an internal, closed celebration—it was a public testimony. People wore shirts that said “Jesus” and I saw many purchasing them on the spot. The messaging wasn’t subtle; it was bold, expressive, and intentionally visible. At the end of the march, the group gathered in a large circle near the city’s cathedral. Some of the leaders gave short speeches, and they all sang once again before heading off to the evening conference at an arena. I didn’t attend the final part, but even what I witnessed already told a powerful story.

As someone who studied religion and sociology, this event was especially interesting for me. I’ve always been fascinated by charismatic religious movements—how they express faith through music, movement, and direct emotional connection. There’s a different kind of intensity in these gatherings compared to the quiet, reserved rituals of traditional Catholicism that I experienced as a child. Here, worship is embodied. It’s loud, it’s joyful, it’s on the streets—and it’s designed to be seen.

Many participants were carrying signs with bold messages about their faith. The signs read things like “Jesus died for you”, “Jesus heals”, “Say yes to Jesus”, “Jesus is the Lamb of God”, “Jesus loves you” and so on. These messages added a strong visual element to the march and helped express the participants’ devotion in a clear, public way.

Events like this are not just spiritual gatherings—they are also social performances. They make claims to public space, assert a presence, and shape how religion is expressed and perceived in society. In countries like Lithuania, where Catholicism is dominant, seeing these smaller Christian groups take up space so boldly adds an interesting layer to the religious landscape.

From a photography perspective, I didn’t focus on making a full photo series, but I took some shots to document the atmosphere. It was a bit outside my comfort zone to photograph such an expressive event, but it felt important to try. I'm sharing a few of those images below.

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