Saint Casimir Jagiellon
Persons, originating from Poland

Saint Casimir Jagiellon

In Polish: Święty Kazimierz Jagiellończyk, in Lithuanian Šventasis Kazimieras
Born: October 3, 1458 in Kraków
Died: March 4, 1484 in Hrodna, now Belarus
He was a member of the Jagiellon dynasty, a prince of the Kingdom of Poland and of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He became a patron saint of Lithuania, Poland, and the youth.

At the age of thirteen Casimir was offered the throne of Hungary by factions discontented with king Mattias Corvinus. Casimir, eager to defend Christianity against the Turks, accepted the offer. The undertaking failed and he returned as a fugitive. Between 1479 and 1484 Casimir acted as the vice-regent in Poland while his father administerd Lithuania in Wilno (Vilnius). He acted with great prudence and justice. His father tried to arrange a marriage, but Casimir preferred to remain single.
Weakened by excessive fasting, lung problems and possibly tuberculosis he died in 1484. His remains rest in the baroque Saint Casimir's Chapel in the Vilnius Cathedral. Several miracles are ascribed to him.
More information
Painting of Saint Casimir in the
cathedral of Vilnius, Lithuania    

Polonica stamps:

Vatican City 1959, 14 XII
 Vatican City 1984, 28 II