Last modified: 2023-06-03 by 
zachary harden
Keywords: siauliai | kelme | kraziai |
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image by Virginijus Misiunas, 12 February 2010
See also:
Kraziai (Kelme District) - on a blue field the silver
Archangel Michael holds in his right hand a silver sword with
golden hilt, in his left hand golden scales, the archangel's
flesh proper, on his breast two crossed golden belts, under his
legs a black devil with silver horns. Flag proportions 5:6,
fringe is silver, finial is a golden tip with a ring and silver
bands having blue tufts.
The charge has more than one meaning:
(1) the local church once had the name St. Michael;
(2) the Kraziai massacre of 1893 is mentioned: the Emperor of
Russia Alexander III commanded to destroy the Catholic church
despite petitions, but the local people resisted, they clashed
unarmed with Russian gendarmes and won that day. Next day the
Russian forces were reinforced with 300 Cossacks and broke the
resistance. 9 people were killed, 54 injured, several hundreds
arrested and 35 of them imprisoned. The massacre had a strong
international resonance, and the church was secured (it stays now
as well). So the charge symbolizes victory of good against evil.
The devil was intentionally made slightly similar to a Cossack.
Virginijus Misiunas, 12 February 2010
