SOTER: Journal of Religious Science / SOTER: religijos mokslo žurnalas

Personal Education in Times of Unrest According to Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys

Nerijus Pipiras — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

In the 20th century, our nation went through one of the most difficult periods in its history – occupations. The crossroads of history raise many fundamental questions: how to survive, how to survive? Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys – one of the most prominent personalities of the 20th century, – having paid much attention to solving educational problems, does not abandon this issue even in the most difficult moments for the nation. Otherwise. He claims that personality development is the guarantee of the nation’s survival. The article examines what is needed so that integral personality development does not cease but is fruitful even in times of unrest. The articles under consideration are quite controversial, but the aim is not to evaluate them critically, but to highlight the essential idea about the dignity of the human person, personality development. Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys actively expressed himself in the press. When the opportunity arose, he wrote cartoons in the newspaper „Naujoji Lietuva“. True, they express more of the archbishop’s personal opinion on one or another political or social issue, so the articles are not scientific. The archbishop himself emphasizes this, signing his name and surname. However, when examining several articles, M. Reinys’ position on issues of personality development becomes clear. According to him, personality development is a multi-layered process that must not be interrupted during turbulent times. On the contrary, the educational process can benefit from a transition from theory to practice, and the process itself, after taking responsibility for its success off the shoulders of the school, is based on the development of the mind and will, primarily through the development of moral values. Experience, traditions, and faith practice acquired in the family are the main poles of the culture of self-determination, which respond to the goal of the educational process – improvement.

The Expression of Personal Resilience in Voluntary Defence: Insights from the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces Study

Monika Maminskaitė — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

The article examines the phenomenon of psychological resilience within the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces (‘KASP’), focusing on the individual and personality factors that determine effective functioning under stress and uncertainty. Resilience is defined as a dynamic process that enables individuals to maintain psychological balance, a sense of meaning, and purposeful action even in challenging circumstances. An empirical study conducted between March and May 2025 involved 345 KASP members, of whom 240 were included in the analysis reported in the present article. The research employed the 14-Item Resilience Scale (RS-14) and the Big Five personality inventory. Results indicated that KASP members exhibit significantly higher levels of resilience compared to the general Lithuanian population. Conscientiousness, openness to experience, and extraversion were found to be the strongest positive predictors of resilience, while neuroticism was the most powerful negative predictor. The findings are in line with an interpretation that voluntary defence functions not only as a selective environment attracting psychologically robust individuals but also as a context that enhances adaptability, collective stability, and emotional resilience through shared purpose and teamwork.

The Features of patriotism in XIX century selected poetry book „Lithuanian Songs, Collected From Everywhere“

Aušra Tamošiūnienė — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

When speaking about the period of the Lithuanian Book Ban (1864–1904), we often limit ourselves to book publishing in Minor Lithuania and to the phenomenon of book smuggling. On a much smaller scale, however, Lithuanian books were also being published within Lithuanian communities in the United States. In this article a book of collected poems, Lietuviszkos dainos, isz visur surinktos (“Lithuanian Songs, Collected from Everywhere”), published in the U.S. during the Book Ban time, is examined.

This book was prepared and published in 1893 by the notable U.S. publisher of Lithuanian books Juozas Paukštys and the priest Aleksandras Burba. It consists of Lithuanian verses of highly diverse character. Following a popular Romantic tradition, all poetry works in this book are referred as “songs.” The structure of the collection reflects not only the diversity of nineteenth-century Lithuanian poetry but also the compilers’ careful consideration of their reader and unique nationscape.

The article explores questions such as how significant the socio-political context is to the specificity of the poetry; how the poetic image of nation can change in light of the values declared in the works that respond to social influences and needs; in what forms national identity and patriotism are expressed in the poetry; and how the compiler’s personality affects the content and structure of „Lithuanian Songs“. The concept of nationality and patriotism, especially in poetry, is exceptionally polysemous and often requires additional explanation. It is further clarified through the notions of the poetic landscape and civic nation, which have already been used in previous scholarly studies.

COVID front

Mindaugas Milius — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Damage Control – a Concept and Solution During Emergency Situations

Augustė Vilimaitė, Andrius Macas — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Trauma is a major global health concern. Therefore, an injured patient requires urgent care, rapid diagnostics and an individually tailored treatment plan. The contemporary concept of “damage control” emphasizes that in severe trauma the priority is not immediate definitive repair of all anatomical injuries, but the prompt interruption of the most life – threatening processes, like hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy. In mass – casualty situations, these three factors act like collapsing pillars which, if not rapidly addressed, can compromise the body’s physiological stability and narrow the patient’s chances of survival. Thus, the goal becomes not an ideal surgical outcome, but the preservation of life when the patient is critically unstable.

Although clinicians rely on established protocols, they often face decisions with significant ethical implications. When a sudden surge of casualties occurs, time is limited and resources scarce. The surgeon may lead the team, but the anesthesiologist is constantly at the patient’s side, continuously evaluating and adjusting vital functions. Their decisions are guided not only by evidence – based algorithms but also by ethical responsibility. They may have to determine who can be fully treated, who can receive only partial support, and for whom further intervention would be futile. Such triage is unavoidable, as saving one patient may require redirecting resources from another.

In disaster settings, the anesthesiologist’s role becomes a delicate balance between clinical judgment and ethical duty. “Damage control” represents not only a medical strategy but also a professional stance: to provide meaningful care to those with a realistic chance of survival and to acknowledge with respect and dignity when medicine can no longer alter the outcome.