Little is known about his origins, early career or his episcopal work. It is likely that he was a student of the first Polish Dominican, Hyacinth of Poland.
Following the conversion to Christianity and coronation of King Mindaugas during the summer of 1253,[2] there was some delay in appointing a bishop for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania due to political intrigues. In October or November 1253, Pełka, Bishop of Gniezno, consecrated Wit (Lithuanian: Vitas) and tasked him with the conversion of the Lithuanian people. However, he was not recognized by Mindaugas or accepted by the populace and his activities in Lithuania are unknown, although he is sometimes associated with Mindaugas' Cathedral.[3]
In 1254, the priest Christian (Lithuanian: Kristijonas), a member of the Livonian Order, was appointed bishop and recognised by King Mindaugas with the grant of lands in Samogitia.[4] In 1254, Vitas wrote to Pope Innocent IV about the deplorable conditions of Christians in Lithuania and asked for a transfer. On March 1, 1255, Pope Alexander IV granted Vitas' petition.[5]
After leaving Lithuania, the Pope appointed Vitas as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Wroclaw, where he served till about 1260, when he was made auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Poznan, at least until 1263.[6] Historian Jan Kurczewski believes that Vitas established a Dominican church and monastery in the city of Lubcha, in present-day Belarus.[5]
Vitas is venerated as a "blessed" of the Order and there have been suggestions that he was martyred.[3]
Referencesedit
^Dubonis, Artūras (2015). "The Origins of Statehood". In Iršėnas, Marius; Račiūnaitė, Tojana (eds.). The Lithuanian Millenium. History, Art and Culture. Vilnius Academy of Arts Press. p. 46.
^J. Dobosz, M. Serwański, Słownik władców Europy średniowiecznej. Poznań: 1998, p. 272.
^ abRowell, C. S. (1994-06-24). Lithuania Ascending: A Pagan Empire Within East-central Europe, 1295–1345. Cambridge University Press. pp. 302–304.
^Kiaupa, Zigmantas; Jurate Kiaupiene, Albinas Kuncevicius (2000) [1995]. "Establishment of the State". The History of Lithuania Before 1795 (English ed.). Vilnius: Lithuanian Institute of History. pp. 45–72.
^ abPetkus, Viktoras (2004). Dominikonai Lietuvos kultūroje. Vilnius: Petro ofsetas. ISBN9955-534-84-2. pp. 43–44
^P. Nitecki: Biskupi Kościoła katolickiego w Polsce w latach 965-1999. Słownik biograficzny. Warszawa: Instytut Wydawniczy "Pax", 2000, p 483.
May 24, 2024
vitas, bishop, blessed, vitas, died, 1269, polish, dominican, friar, from, kraków, convent, first, bishop, lithuania, 1253, 1255, 17th, century, portrait, vitas, little, known, about, origins, early, career, episcopal, work, likely, that, student, first, polis. The Blessed Vitas O P or Wit died ca 1269 was a Polish Dominican friar from the Krakow convent 1 and the first bishop in Lithuania 1253 1255 17th century portrait of Vitas Little is known about his origins early career or his episcopal work It is likely that he was a student of the first Polish Dominican Hyacinth of Poland Following the conversion to Christianity and coronation of King Mindaugas during the summer of 1253 2 there was some delay in appointing a bishop for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania due to political intrigues In October or November 1253 Pelka Bishop of Gniezno consecrated Wit Lithuanian Vitas and tasked him with the conversion of the Lithuanian people However he was not recognized by Mindaugas or accepted by the populace and his activities in Lithuania are unknown although he is sometimes associated with Mindaugas Cathedral 3 In 1254 the priest Christian Lithuanian Kristijonas a member of the Livonian Order was appointed bishop and recognised by King Mindaugas with the grant of lands in Samogitia 4 In 1254 Vitas wrote to Pope Innocent IV about the deplorable conditions of Christians in Lithuania and asked for a transfer On March 1 1255 Pope Alexander IV granted Vitas petition 5 After leaving Lithuania the Pope appointed Vitas as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Wroclaw where he served till about 1260 when he was made auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Poznan at least until 1263 6 Historian Jan Kurczewski believes that Vitas established a Dominican church and monastery in the city of Lubcha in present day Belarus 5 Vitas is venerated as a blessed of the Order and there have been suggestions that he was martyred 3 References edit Dubonis Arturas 2015 The Origins of Statehood In Irsenas Marius Raciunaite Tojana eds The Lithuanian Millenium History Art and Culture Vilnius Academy of Arts Press p 46 J Dobosz M Serwanski Slownik wladcow Europy sredniowiecznej Poznan 1998 p 272 a b Rowell C S 1994 06 24 Lithuania Ascending A Pagan Empire Within East central Europe 1295 1345 Cambridge University Press pp 302 304 Kiaupa Zigmantas Jurate Kiaupiene Albinas Kuncevicius 2000 1995 Establishment of the State The History of Lithuania Before 1795 English ed Vilnius Lithuanian Institute of History pp 45 72 a b Petkus Viktoras 2004 Dominikonai Lietuvos kulturoje Vilnius Petro ofsetas ISBN 9955 534 84 2 pp 43 44 P Nitecki Biskupi Kosciola katolickiego w Polsce w latach 965 1999 Slownik biograficzny Warszawa Instytut Wydawniczy Pax 2000 p 483 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vitas bishop amp oldid 1145149667, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
