Parafija

Parafija is the basic territorial and pastoral unit of the Catholic Church within a diocese. It encompasses a defined geographic area and the local Catholic community, centered around the parish church. The people living in a parafija receive the sacramental life and pastoral care provided by the church through its ordained minister.

A parafija is led and served by a parish priest (kunigas) or pastor, who oversees liturgical celebrations, the administration of the sacraments (baptism, Eucharist, confirmation, reconciliation, marriage, anointing of the sick), catechesis, and various forms of pastoral outreach. Parishes also engage in social and charitable activities, youth programs, and maintenance of church property and sometimes parish cemeteries.

Parishes are typically organized within the broader structure of a diocese and grouped into deaneries (dekanatai) that share resources and oversight. Local governance often includes a parish council and other lay bodies that assist with administration, finance, and planning, while the priest provides spiritual leadership. In many situations, an administrator may lead a parafija temporarily if a parish priest is not available.

Historically, parishes emerged in medieval Europe as the primary units of ecclesiastical administration and community life. In Lithuanian usage, parafija refers to this parish organization and is commonly associated with the Catholic Church. The concept and responsibilities of a parafija can vary by country and local customs, but the core function remains the same: to foster worship, sacraments, education, and service for the local Catholic faithful.