InfoOrganizations
in wich Poland participates or participated
Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church or Catholic Church is the Christian Church in full
communion with the Bishop of Rome. It traces its origins to the original Christian community founded by Jesus
Christ and led by the Twelve Apostles, in particular Saint Peter.
The Catholic Church is the largest Christian Church and the largest
organised body of any world religion. Approximately one in six persons of the
world's population is a member.
Mieszko I,Poland's first historically documented ruler, was baptized in 966, adopting Catholic Christianity as the nation's new official religion, to which the bulk of the population converted in the course of the next centuries. After his baptising, Mieszko I was recognized as king of an indepent state by his neighbour Saxony and by the Pope as well. In 1000 a Polish diocese was founded.
Vatican City, center of the
Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
So 966 is seen as the starting year for Christianity in Poland and as the founding
year for the Polish state as well.
Wojchiech or Adalbert of Prague (939 - 997) evangelized the Poles, and was made Archbishop of Gniezno. But he relinquished his see, and set out to preach to the idolatrous inhabitants of Prussia, today the polish Baltic coast. At the instigation of one of the pagan priests he was killed. In 999 Wojchiech was canonized as Saint Adalbert of Prague. He is now patron saint of Poland, Hungary, Czechy and the German federal state Prussia.
Pope John Paul II was the first pope of Polish origin. More information about Pope John Paul II
More information
