Last modified: 2023-06-03 by 
zachary harden
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image by Virginijus Misiunas, 1 December 2009
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Here is information from the booklet: DISTRICT OF SIAULIAI
AND ITS CONTEMPORARY HERALDRY [LaL02]:
"Gruzdziai - The estate on the present site of Gruzdziai is
mentioned in the middle of the 16th century. In 1636 Kristupas
Gruzdys, vaitas of Silenai, built a Lutheran church, which burned
down at the beginning of the 17th century. It is believed that
the name Gruzdziai came from the surname Gruzdys. In 1676 there
were 40 households and 33 pubs were opened. In 1699 a Catholic
church was built. Gruzdziai was burned down in 1649 and destroyed
during the 1700-1721 Northern War.
The Gruzdziai estate belonged to the family of count Platonas
Zubovas from 1793 to 1858 and later to Aleksandras Naryskinas.
At the end of the 19th century the national movement strengthened
in Gruzdziai. It may be linked with the personality of Prof. J.
Sliupas, born in the village of Rakandziai, and other
enlighteners: A. Baranauskas, M. Slanciauskas, A. Treciokas who
took an active part in the movement. Outstanding writers M.
Katiliskis, K. Almenas, A. Gricius, craftsman A. Gendvilas,
painter A. Tycina were also born in the villages near Gruzdziai.
In 1910 a Catholic St. Trinity church was built. From 1923 an
agricultural college, from 1934 a stud farm started functioning
in the estate.
Presently the settlement with 32 villages has the population of
3,100.
St. Rokas' Church Festival has been the public event of the
Gruzdziai population. St. Rokas used to pilgrim through Europe
healing plague stricken people and in this way became the patron
of the poor and sick.
Since Gruzdziai did not have a coat of arms, the one which was
created depicts St. Rokas with a black cloak and hat, brown shoes
and a bag holding a silver shell at his shoulder and a pilgrim's
brown stick in his left hand on a field of gold. St. Rokas' body
is flesh coloured, his beard and the right sleeve are silver. A
black dog is to the left of the figure. The Gruzdziai coat of
arms was designed by Raimondas Miknevicius and confirmed by the
President of the Republic of Lithuania on August 19, 1999."
Anon., 24 June 2003
Gruzdziai (Siauliai District) - on a blue field a golden oval
with the charge of arms (St. Roch), in corners silver shells.
Flag proportions 5:6, free edges bordered with a narrow silver
stripe, finial is a golden knob with a ring and silver bands. St.
Roch is the locally most popular saint, and the town is known for
its traditional feast of St. Roch.
Virginijus Misiunas, 1 December 2009
