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Nasza Przeszłość

Vol. 83 (1995): Our Past

Articles

St Chrystian – a Cistercian missionary bishop of Prussia (a new perspective)

  • Krystyna Zielińska-Melkowska
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52204/np.1995.83.35-61  [Google Scholar]
Published: 1995-06-30

Abstract

The work is an attempt to take a new look at the figure of St Chrystian (ca. 1170-1245), Cistercian monk. It is also a polemic against stereotypes that found their way into the "Bibliotheca Sanctorum" published in Rome based on the publications of German scholars. Christian was almost certainly born in Chociwel in Pomerania long before the German colonization of this area. He came from a noble Pomeranian family. Important places in his monastic career were the Pomeranian and Polish Cistercian monasteries in Kołbacz, Oliwa, Łekno and Ląd. He was a member and later head of the Polish missionary team in Prussia. As a bishop, he maintained close relations with Polish bishops and princes, therefore his Polish identity is beyond dispute. The article extensively presents Chrystian's conflict with the Teutonic Order regarding his office as missionary bishop. As a bishop, he tried to found a Cistercian monastery in Prussia, but his efforts failed. When the Teutonic Knights sided with the emperor, Chrystian found favor in the eyes of Pope Innocent IV, who appointed him Archbishop of Prussia at the Council of Lyon in 1245 (Chrystian took part in the proceedings of this council). Unfortunately, he died in Marburg on December 4, 1245, on his way home. Suspicions that he was poisoned have not been disproven. The development of his cult, apart from the opposition of the Teutonic Knights, was hindered by the lack of certainty regarding his burial. According to one version, he was buried in the Santyr Cathedral, burned by the Tefeutonic Teutonic Knights, while the other placed his grave in Marburg. But no grave could be found in either place. Finally, contrary to the opinions of many scholars, there is sufficient evidence that Chrystian did leave some writings of his own.

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