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Vol. 97 (2002): Our Past

Miscellanea

Jesuits in Moscow under King Jan III Sobieski

  • Jerzy Paszenda
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.2002.97.371-380  [Google Scholar]
Published: 2002-06-30

Abstract

The Jesuits of Lithuania had long wanted to send missionaries to Moscow to care for the Catholics there. Only after the death of Tsar Fyodor in 1682 and Sophia Alekseevna taking power with the help of Prince Vasily Golitsyn, who sympathized with the West and Catholicism, did this become possible. The Jesuit Cyprian Brzostowski gained valuable experience in several missions to Moscow and suggested receiving the protection of Emperor Leopold I. In 1685, the imperial messenger, Count Zeronski, sent to Moscow on a political mission, was also tasked with settling religious issues, which created an opportunity for the Jesuits. Father Jan Schmidt was assigned as a missionary in Moscow. Father Albert de Boye arrived with him, but he died shortly after arriving. Father Bartłomiej Molière was appointed in his place. King Sobieski prepared an envoy to Moscow, in which the Jesuits B. Molière and Mikołaj Narmunth took part. However, in Moscow they received an order that Father Schmidt should remain there, and Father Jerzy Dawid was appointed to replace the deceased. The Jesuits were actively engaged in pastoral work and charity work in Moscow. They tried to gain the respect and understanding of the inhabitants and discussed theological topics with Orthodox monks, which met with interest and favor. In the peace treaty between Poland and Russia in 1686, the Jesuits tried to ensure religious freedom for Catholics in Russia, but the patriarch and the boyars were against this idea. Ultimately, the treaty did not include any provisions on religious freedom for Catholics in Russia. After the mission, the Tsar's translator promised the Jesuits help if they ever needed it. In turn, they promised to support Russia's interests in Poland. Father Narmunth trusted that Father Schmidt's presence in Moscow would last because he was highly appreciated.

References

  1. Bazylów L., Historia Rosji, Wrocław 1975. [Google Scholar]
  2. Forst de Battaglia O., Jan Sobieski król Polski, Warszawa 1983. [Google Scholar]
  3. Serczyk W.A., Piotr I Wielki, Wrocław 1973. [Google Scholar]

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