Childhood, teenage and youth celebrations

  • Christian ceremonies celebrated by children (and their parents) are the sacraments of Christianing, First Communion and Confirmation (at ~1 year, ~12 years and ~14 years respectively). In Christianing a baby is given a name and accepted into the Christian community. Before receiving his/her First Communion one learns prayers and makes the first confession. Confirmation is granted by the bishop and requires person's further determination to be Christian.

    Most secular "initiation rites" are related to educational milestones. The person's first (~7 years old) and final (~19 years old) schoolyear begginings  (September 1st)  are held as important (parents also participate).

    The final schoolyear includes a bunch of other celebrations:

    Šimtadienis (celebrated in March, 100 days before the final lesson),

    Final bell (final day at school named so after electric bells used in Lithuanian schools to invite students to lessons; June) and

    prom night (June or July).

    Undergraduate studies are completed by the majority of young Lithuanians followed by graduation.