Baptism of Poland

The beginning of the Christianization of Poland ( Polish Polski Chrzest ) can be 14 April 966, the baptism of Duke Mieszko I of Poland, to be associated. The reasons Mieszko to convert to Christianity, no written source is preserved. For Mieszko I, it was probably an important step towards stabilizing its sphere of influence: The hierarchical structure of the Christian Church enabled him to strengthen his influence in society. The previous pagan religions could not afford this. But the move away from the old gods could bring legitimacy problems because the connection was cut off to the ancestors so. The conversion to Christianity brought the Polish rulers and the equality with the other western rulers and thus allowed better public relations. The historian Thietmar of Merseburg considers the influence of the wife of Mieszko Dubrawa, which itself was a Christian, for decisive for Mieszko decision to convert to Christianity.

The exact location of the baptism of Mieszko I is discussed: Historians have alternately argued that Gniezno, Poznań, Regensburg, Cologne or even Rome could have been the place of baptism of Mieszko I. The Christianization begun by Mieszko I, continued by his descendants, was successful: By the 13th century the Roman Catholic Christianity was spread everywhere in Poland and became the dominant religion in Poland. Norman Davies rated the acceptance of Roman Catholic Christianity as " the most significant event in Polish history ."

Missionary Bishop of Poland was Jordan, who probably already previously the farm belonged Mieszko and later the diocese of Posen was transferred. The origin of Jordan is not secured. He came up with the Bohemian princess Dubrawka either from Italy or from the Rhineland to Poland. That he was of Czech origin is also disputed. The oldest minister of the Polish Church were Bohemian origin. The church was independent, the Pope under the direct and not from the imperial church depends.

The adoption of Christianity by Mieszko and the spread was followed by the establishment of various ecclesiastical institutions in Poland during the 10th and 11th centuries. There were important buildings such as cathedrals and monasteries built, also was the clergy.

The Polish Church celebrated the 1966 " Sacrum Poloniae Millennium" ( Holy millennium of Poland), the former People's Republic of Poland, however, celebrated " Tysiąclecie Państwa Polskiego " ( 1000 years Poland).