Mieszko I was baptized in 966 and thus made the most important decision for the entire history of Poland; he introduced his subjects to the world of Latin culture and the community of Christian peoples – emphasized on Sunday the Metropolitan Archbishop of Poznań, Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.
April 14 is the 1,058th anniversary of the baptism of Mieszko I. On this day, the Polish Baptism Day is also celebrated, established by the Act of the Sejm of February 22, 2019.
Metropolitan Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki of Poznań emphasized in a homily delivered on Sunday in the Poznań cathedral that “On April 14, we celebrate another anniversary of the baptism of Poland. On this day – guided by personal faith – catechumen Mieszko I was baptized in 966. The Prince of Polans made the most important decision for the entire history of Poland, introducing his subjects to the world of Latin culture and the community of Christian peoples.
In his homily, the hierarch recalled the words of St. John Paul II from the book “Memory and Identity”. As he pointed out, when we talk about baptism, “we do not mean only the sacrament of Christian initiation accepted by the first historical ruler of Poland, but also an event that was decisive for the creation of the nation and the formation of its Christian identity. In this sense, the date of Poland’s baptism is a breakthrough date. “Poland as a nation then emerges from its own historical prehistory and begins to exist historically.”
The Metropolitan recalled that, according to tradition, the baptism of the ruler of the Polans probably took place on Holy Saturday, April 14, 966. He recalled the words of President Andrzej Duda in his message on the occasion of the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland. he pointed out that at that time Poland “was born from baptismal waters into a new, Christian life. It was born for the world, leaving the prehistoric era and entering the arena of European history. It was born for itself, as a national and political community, because being baptized in the Latin rite defined our Polish identity.
In his homily, the hierarch recalled that the Christian mission in Poznań and the State of Gniezno was prepared with the knowledge of Emperor Otto I and with the involvement of the German and Czech Churches. As he said, “Jordan was probably the leader of the mission and it was he who baptized Mieszko I and his immediate surroundings. Two years later (968), the above-mentioned Jordan was consecrated as the first Polish missionary bishop, and his seat was probably in Poznań.
The Metropolitan emphasized that, according to Prof. Krzysztof Ożog, the effectiveness of Christianization resulted mainly from the fact that the first Polish rulers – Mieszko I, Bolesław the Brave, Mieszko II – were people of deep faith who, in accordance with the beliefs generally prevailing in Europe at that time, believed that the monarch “is responsible for strengthening the faith among his subjects and for their salvation.”
He added that “the effectiveness of the Christianization of Poland may be astonishing, which – despite resistance, especially in the form of the so-called pagan reaction in 1034, which broke out just after the death of Mieszko II – was essentially completed in the 13th century, when developed parish network.
The Metropolitan emphasized that, according to Prof. Krzysztof Ożog, this effectiveness resulted mainly from the fact that the first Polish rulers – Mieszko I, Bolesław the Brave, Mieszko II – were people of deep faith who, in accordance with the beliefs generally prevailing in Europe at that time, believed that the monarch “is responsible for strengthening the faith among his subjects and for their salvation.”
“Hence, both Bolesław the Brave (in Gallus Anonymous’s “Chronicle and Deeds of Princes or Polish Rulers”) and Mieszko II (in the dedication letter of Matilda, Duchess of Lorraine) were shown as monarchs who met the requirements of an ideal Christian ruler,” he pointed out.
The Metropolitan noted that a special fulfillment of the baptism was the placing of his country under the protection of the papacy by Mieszko I – pursuant to the Dagome iudex document from 992. This document – as he said – “proved to be extremely durable as a guide to the policy – and perhaps not only the policy of the rulers of Poland.” He added that in view of the power and ambitions of direct domination on the part of its western neighbor, Poland placed itself under the care of the second important authority in Latin Europe, which was the See of St. Peter. So from the beginning – as he pointed out – the Church in the Piast land and throughout Poland became associated with Rome.
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The Metropolitan of Poznań pointed out that thanks to the constantly developing church organization in Poland, Christianity reached wider and wider sections of society and penetrated deeper into its life, customs, norms of conduct and culture. He added that in periods of state weakness, e.g. during district divisions, “it was the Church that strengthened the national identity of Poles.”
The hierarch emphasized that, looking to the future, “we must never treat anything – including our baptism – as having been achieved once and for all, as if the sacrifice, faith and courage of past generations were enough to move forward confidently and protect ourselves from all dangers.”
He pointed out that each generation is invited to assimilate the traditions and values that have been handed down to it, so that the gift received will bear fruit anew in its era and new circumstances.
Recalling the words of the Holy Father Francis to Poles on the occasion of the 1,050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland, the hierarch emphasized that it is necessary for “the faithful in Poland – also today, in new conditions – to give the whole world a wonderful example of life according to the Gospel, Christian virtues and true spiritual development.” .
He added that hence the words from the 1st Letter of Saint remain a constant challenge. John: “By this we know Him [Chrystusa] we know if we keep His commandments. Whoever says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His teaching, in him truly God’s love is perfected.”
The hierarch emphasized that we need to persistently walk a renewed path in the light of Christ. “We are encouraged to defend human life and the family, to shape social justice according to the Gospel, and to strive for authentic freedom in everyday life,” he said.
He noted that “in connection with the ongoing debate on Polish legislation limiting the right to life of unborn children, the Chairman of the Polish Episcopal Conference, Archbishop (Tadeusz) Wojda, strongly encourages us to this Sunday – in all churches in Poland, at every Holy Mass. – prayed for the protection of the lives of the unborn.
The Hierarch reminded that the Universal Declaration of Human and Citizen Rights in Art. 3 says: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” He pointed out that “this is a fundamental, absolutely elementary right. All other human rights are secondary to the fundamental right to life.”
“Life is a gift from God and an inalienable right of every human being, therefore it must be protected and supported at every stage of its development” – he emphasized and pointed out that the Constitution of the Republic of Poland also states in par. 38 states: “The Republic of Poland provides every person with legal protection of life.”
“In our homeland, numerous initiatives are undertaken to defend the right to life of the unborn, such as the National March of Life. If we do not engage wholeheartedly in this matter, there is a danger that Poles – who in the face of enormous tragedies showed great courage and faithfulness to Christ, overcoming persecution and violence – will weaken their joy of belonging to Christ’s fold in less dramatic moments,” he noted. Archbishop Gądecki. (PAP)
author: Anna Jowsa
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