The first Orthodox Christians began emigrating to Lithuania in 17th century. The religious community of Orthodox Christians settled in Žemaitėliai (back then, Mitrofanova village) in the 19th century, approx. 1886-1887. During World War I, many Orthodox Christians went to Russia, however, after the war ended returned to their homelands. At some time, Orthodox Christians prayed in private homes. ~ 1928, the community constructed itself a temple and had their own library. Many of the local Orthodox Christians took up agriculture and had their own farms. During World War II, local men were mobilized, many of them died in the front or were banished to Siberia. Now, the number of Orthodox Christians has greatly dwindled, in 2014, next to the temple, a guardhouse was opened, which gathers the community.
