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| The '''Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church''' ({{ |
The '''Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church''' ({{langx|pl|Polski Autokefaliczny Kościół Prawosławny}}), commonly known as the '''Polish Orthodox Church''', or '''Orthodox Church of Poland''', is one of the autocephalous ] churches in full communion. The church was established in 1924, to accommodate Orthodox Christians of ] descent in the eastern part of the country, when Poland regained its independence after the ]. | ||
| In total, it has approximately 500,000 adherents (2016).<ref name="Główny Urząd Statystyczny 2016">Główny Urząd Statystyczny, Mały Rocznik Statystyczny Polski 2016, Warszawa 2017, tab. 18(80), s. 115.</ref> In the ], 156,000 citizens declared themselves as members.<ref>Paweł Ciecieląg, Andrzej Datko, Bożena Łazowska, Piotr Łysoń, Paweł Milcarek, Wojciech Sadłoń: 1050 lat chrześcijaństwa w Polsce. Warszawa: GUS, 2016, s. 73. {{ISBN|978-83-7027-606-5}}.</ref> | In total, it has approximately 500,000 adherents (2016).<ref name="Główny Urząd Statystyczny 2016">Główny Urząd Statystyczny, Mały Rocznik Statystyczny Polski 2016, Warszawa 2017, tab. 18(80), s. 115.</ref> In the ], 156,000 citizens declared themselves as members.<ref>Paweł Ciecieląg, Andrzej Datko, Bożena Łazowska, Piotr Łysoń, Paweł Milcarek, Wojciech Sadłoń: 1050 lat chrześcijaństwa w Polsce. Warszawa: GUS, 2016, s. 73. {{ISBN|978-83-7027-606-5}}.</ref> | ||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| ===Early period of Russian Orthodoxy: |
===Early period of Russian Orthodoxy: 1793–1905=== | ||
| {{see also|Russification of Poles during the Partitions|Russification of Belarus}} | {{see also|Russification of Poles during the Partitions|Russification of Belarus}} | ||
| Following ] and annexation of Polish territory by the ], the administration of Eastern Orthodox communities was carried out by the vicar bishop of Pereyaslav and Boryspil of the Kyiv Eparchy with residence in ].<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> The Eastern Orthodox population on territory of modern Poland was very scarce at that time.<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> In 1825 the administration was switched to the bishop of Minsk and in 1827 |
Following ] and annexation of Polish territory by the ], the administration of Eastern Orthodox communities was carried out by the vicar bishop of Pereyaslav and Boryspil of the Kyiv Eparchy with residence in ].<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> The Eastern Orthodox population on territory of modern Poland was very scarce at that time.<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> In 1825 the administration was switched to the bishop of Minsk and in 1827 – the bishop of Volhynia.<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> | ||
| In 1834 there was established a post of the vicar bishop of Warsaw of the Volhynian eparchy.<ref name=warsaw_vicariate>. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)</ref> Establishment of the post was partially due to the |
In 1834 there was established a post of the vicar bishop of Warsaw of the Volhynian eparchy.<ref name=warsaw_vicariate>. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)</ref> Establishment of the post was partially due to the 1830–31 Polish uprising (so called ]).<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> The idea to create the post of the vicar bishop of Warsaw belonged to the ] and Serence Prince of Warsaw ].<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> By 1834 in Vistula Land existed at least 6 parochial Orthodox temples and the ] in ].<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> The first bishop became Antoni (Rafalski) who was an archimandrite of the ].<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> The new vicar bishop was not only subordinated to the Volhynian eparchy, but also directly to the ].<ref name=warsaw_vicariate/> | ||
| Starting since 1783, on territories that were annexed in 1793, there were established Minsk Eparchy, Bratslav Eparchy, and Izyaslav Eparchy.<ref>. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)</ref> In |
Starting since 1783, on territories that were annexed in 1793, there were established Minsk Eparchy, Bratslav Eparchy, and Izyaslav Eparchy.<ref>. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)</ref> In 1839 there was established the eparchy of Wilno and Lithuania following the 1839 ] which liquidated ] on territory of the Imperial Russia.<ref>. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)</ref> In 1840, the former Warsaw vicariate was transformed into a separate eparchy of Warsaw covering the whole ].<ref name=warsaw_eparchy>. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)</ref> | ||
| Following the 1875 ] (]) of the ], the Eparchy of Warsaw was renamed as Eparchy of Warsaw and Chełm, while Marcel Popiel who played a key role in the process was ordained as a vicar bishop of the merged diocese. | Following the 1875 ] (]) of the ], the Eparchy of Warsaw was renamed as Eparchy of Warsaw and Chełm, while Marcel Popiel who played a key role in the process was ordained as a vicar bishop of the merged diocese. | ||
| ===Transitional period: |
===Transitional period: 1905–1924=== | ||
| Following the ] in the Imperial Russia, Tsar issued the manifest |
Following the ] in the Imperial Russia, Tsar issued the manifest "On strengthening the principles of religious tolerance" which gave start to revival of Catholicism.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> Several parishes en masse were switching back to the Uniate Church.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> | ||
| With start of the ], in 1915 the Russian Church in Poland was evacuated along with the Russian administration.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> On territory of what it was "Warsaw Eparchy" remained about 10 priests.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> The last archbishop of Warsaw Nicholas (Ziorov) died soon after evacuation and during the remaining time of ], the diocese was vacant.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> | With start of the ], in 1915 the Russian Church in Poland was evacuated along with the Russian administration.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> On territory of what it was "Warsaw Eparchy" remained about 10 priests.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> The last archbishop of Warsaw Nicholas (Ziorov) died soon after evacuation and during the remaining time of ], the diocese was vacant.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> | ||
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| Following the ], ] finally appointed a new bishop to the eparchy of Warsaw who was ]. Seraphim (Chichagov) was never able to actually arrive to his appointed diocese due to unstable situation. To fix that in September 1921, the Archbishop of Minsk George (Yaroshevsky) was appointed as Patriarchal Exarch in Poland.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> | Following the ], ] finally appointed a new bishop to the eparchy of Warsaw who was ]. Seraphim (Chichagov) was never able to actually arrive to his appointed diocese due to unstable situation. To fix that in September 1921, the Archbishop of Minsk George (Yaroshevsky) was appointed as Patriarchal Exarch in Poland.<ref name=warsaw_eparchy/> | ||
| ===First period of the autocephalous church: |
===First period of the autocephalous church: 1924–1939=== | ||
| ], the main Polish Orthodox Church]] | ], the main Polish Orthodox Church]] | ||
| ] in ] founded by ]]] | ] in ] founded by ]]] | ||
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| The church was established in 1924 after Poland regained independence, as the ], following ] in 1918. After the ] and the ] of 1921, Poland secured control of a sizeable portion of its former eastern territories previously lost in the late-18th-century ] to the ]. Eastern Orthodoxy was widespread in the eastern provinces of interwar Poland. The loss of an ecclesiastical link, due to the persecution of the ] in the ], left the regional clergy in a crisis, and in 1924 the ] took over, establishing several autonomous churches on territories of the new states that were formerly wholly or partially part of the Russian Empire: ], the ], and Poland.<ref>M. Papierzyńska-Turek, ''Między tradycją a rzeczywistością. Państwo wobec prawosławia 1918–1939.''</ref> In 1922 a conflict ensued due intervention of the ] that approved appointment of bishops in Poland without agreement from Metropolitan of Warsaw ].<ref name=eleutherios>. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia).</ref> The conflict was led by the Bishop of Wilno and Lida Eleftherios.<ref name=eleutherios/> Several diocesan bishops along with Eleftherios of Wilno including Panteleimon (Rozhnovsky), ] and others took stance against seeking autocephalous status for the Orthodox Church in Poland. Most of them were expelled from Poland. Bishops Eleftherios and Vladimir were also against ordination of ] who was ordained as a vicar bishop of Lublin by ] and ] on 4 June 1922.<ref>''Mironowicz A.'' Kościół prawosławny na ziemiach polskich w XIX i XX wieku, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku, Białystok 2005, ISBN 8374310464.</ref> | The church was established in 1924 after Poland regained independence, as the ], following ] in 1918. After the ] and the ] of 1921, Poland secured control of a sizeable portion of its former eastern territories previously lost in the late-18th-century ] to the ]. Eastern Orthodoxy was widespread in the eastern provinces of interwar Poland. The loss of an ecclesiastical link, due to the persecution of the ] in the ], left the regional clergy in a crisis, and in 1924 the ] took over, establishing several autonomous churches on territories of the new states that were formerly wholly or partially part of the Russian Empire: ], the ], and Poland.<ref>M. Papierzyńska-Turek, ''Między tradycją a rzeczywistością. Państwo wobec prawosławia 1918–1939.''</ref> In 1922 a conflict ensued due intervention of the ] that approved appointment of bishops in Poland without agreement from Metropolitan of Warsaw ].<ref name=eleutherios>. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia).</ref> The conflict was led by the Bishop of Wilno and Lida Eleftherios.<ref name=eleutherios/> Several diocesan bishops along with Eleftherios of Wilno including Panteleimon (Rozhnovsky), ] and others took stance against seeking autocephalous status for the Orthodox Church in Poland. Most of them were expelled from Poland. Bishops Eleftherios and Vladimir were also against ordination of ] who was ordained as a vicar bishop of Lublin by ] and ] on 4 June 1922.<ref>''Mironowicz A.'' Kościół prawosławny na ziemiach polskich w XIX i XX wieku, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku, Białystok 2005, ISBN 8374310464.</ref> | ||
| Earlier, in January 1922, the Polish government had issued an order recognizing the Orthodox church and placing it under the authority of the state. At that time a Ukrainian, ], was appointed Metropolitan and exarch by the patriarch of Moscow. When Yaroshevsky began to reject the authority of Moscow Patriarchate, he was assassinated by a Russian monk.<ref name=ieu>Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine, , accessed 2 June 2020.</ref> Nonetheless, his successor, ], continued to work for the autocephaly of the Polish Orthodox church, which was finally granted by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in his Tomos of 13 November 1924.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oca-uaoc.org/tomos.html|title=Tomos|website=Orthodox Church of America |
Earlier, in January 1922, the Polish government had issued an order recognizing the Orthodox church and placing it under the authority of the state. At that time a Ukrainian, ], was appointed Metropolitan and exarch by the patriarch of Moscow. When Yaroshevsky began to reject the authority of Moscow Patriarchate, he was assassinated by a Russian monk.<ref name=ieu>Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine, , accessed 2 June 2020.</ref> Nonetheless, his successor, ], continued to work for the autocephaly of the Polish Orthodox church, which was finally granted by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in his Tomos of 13 November 1924.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oca-uaoc.org/tomos.html|title=Tomos|website=Orthodox Church of America – UAOC – Standing Episcopal Conference of Orthodox Bishops|language=en|access-date=2018-12-22}}</ref> Most of the parishioners were Ukrainians and Belarusians living in the eastern areas of the newly independent ]. The Patriarch of Constantinople has the only canonical basis to grant the Tomos to new autocephalous churches. Moscow Patriarchate interpretes this otherwise though and considers itself being a successor of the Kyiv Metropolia, the former ] (having agreed to allow Moscow to be its caretaker in 1686).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.patriarchate.org/-/oikoumenikos-patriarches-einai-logikon-na-epithymomen-os-meter-ekklesia-ten-apokatastasin-tes-enotetos-tou-en-oukrania-dieremenou-ekklesiastikou-somat|title=Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: "As the Mother Church, it is reasonable to desire the restoration of unity for the divided ecclesiastical body in Ukraine" – News Releases – The Ecumenical Patriarchate|website=www.patriarchate.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-10-28}}</ref> The Russian Orthodox Church at the time did not recognise Constantinople's granting of Polish autocephaly. See {{slink|History of Christianity in Ukraine#Territories gained by Pereyaslav Rada}}. | ||
| During the ], however, the Polish authorities imposed severe restrictions on the church and its clergy. In the most famous example, the ] was destroyed in the mid-1920s. In ] a total of 190 Eastern Orthodox churches were destroyed and a further 150 converted to ].<ref>Healy, R. and Dal Lago, E. ''The Shadow of Colonialism on Europe’s Modern Past''.</ref> Several court hearings against the ] also took place.<ref>{{in lang|uk}} ІСТОРИЧНА ВОЛИНЬ: </ref> | During the ], however, the Polish authorities imposed severe restrictions on the church and its clergy. In the most famous example, the ] was destroyed in the mid-1920s. In ] a total of 190 Eastern Orthodox churches were destroyed and a further 150 converted to ].<ref>Healy, R. and Dal Lago, E. ''The Shadow of Colonialism on Europe’s Modern Past''.</ref> Several court hearings against the ] also took place.<ref>{{in lang|uk}} ІСТОРИЧНА ВОЛИНЬ: </ref> | ||
| ===World War II: |
===World War II: 1939–1944=== | ||
| Following the start of the ] on 1 September 1939 and the ] on 17 September 1939, Poland was divided between the ] and the ]. For support of resistance against the Nazi Germany, the Metropolitan Dionisius was arrested, while the Church territories (dioceses) were mostly taken over by the ] and the rest were transferred under temporary administration by the Metropolitan of Berlin ] of the ], who also was assisted by Vasily (Pavlovsky).<ref name=dionisy_pravenc/> At the end of 1940, Metropolitan Dionisius signed a loyalty declaration for the General Governor of Poland ] and was released from his arrest.<ref name=dionisy_pravenc/> On 30 September 1940 the Bishop Council of the Polish Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Dionisius reformed the Church considering the new realities and constituted new dioceses which were 3: Diocese of Warschau and Radom, Diocese of Cholm and Podlachia, Diocese of Krakau and Lemkos.<ref name=dionisy_pravenc/> On territories that became part of the ], there was established separate "Orthodox Autocephalous Church on liberated territory of Ukraine" under auspices of the Polish Orthodox Church led by ], a vicar bishop of Lutsk. Along with ], Polycarp (Sikorsky) started to develop what later would be known as the ]. | Following the start of the ] on 1 September 1939 and the ] on 17 September 1939, Poland was divided between the ] and the ]. For support of resistance against the Nazi Germany, the Metropolitan Dionisius was arrested, while the Church territories (dioceses) were mostly taken over by the ] and the rest were transferred under temporary administration by the Metropolitan of Berlin ] of the ], who also was assisted by Vasily (Pavlovsky).<ref name=dionisy_pravenc/> At the end of 1940, Metropolitan Dionisius signed a loyalty declaration for the General Governor of Poland ] and was released from his arrest.<ref name=dionisy_pravenc/> On 30 September 1940 the Bishop Council of the Polish Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Dionisius reformed the Church considering the new realities and constituted new dioceses which were 3: Diocese of Warschau and Radom, Diocese of Cholm and Podlachia, Diocese of Krakau and Lemkos.<ref name=dionisy_pravenc/> On territories that became part of the ], there was established separate "Orthodox Autocephalous Church on liberated territory of Ukraine" under auspices of the Polish Orthodox Church led by ], a vicar bishop of Lutsk. Along with ], Polycarp (Sikorsky) started to develop what later would be known as the ]. | ||
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| After the ], the pre-war eastern territories of Poland were annexed by the ] and included within the ], ] and ] SSRs. The annexed territories contained up to 80% of the PAOC's parishes and congregation, which were united with the recently re-instated ]. The remaining parishes that were now on the territory of the ] were kept by the PAOC, including most of the mixed easternmost territories such as around ] and ]. In 1948, after the Soviet Union established political control over Poland, the Russian Orthodox Church recognised the ] status of the Polish Orthodox Church.<ref name=ieu /><ref name=":19">{{Cite web|url=https://mospat.ru/en/news/47198/|last=Russian Orthodox Church Department for External Church Relations|title=Statement of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church concerning the uncanonical intervention of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church|date=14 September 2018|language=en-US|access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> | After the ], the pre-war eastern territories of Poland were annexed by the ] and included within the ], ] and ] SSRs. The annexed territories contained up to 80% of the PAOC's parishes and congregation, which were united with the recently re-instated ]. The remaining parishes that were now on the territory of the ] were kept by the PAOC, including most of the mixed easternmost territories such as around ] and ]. In 1948, after the Soviet Union established political control over Poland, the Russian Orthodox Church recognised the ] status of the Polish Orthodox Church.<ref name=ieu /><ref name=":19">{{Cite web|url=https://mospat.ru/en/news/47198/|last=Russian Orthodox Church Department for External Church Relations|title=Statement of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church concerning the uncanonical intervention of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church|date=14 September 2018|language=en-US|access-date=17 February 2021}}</ref> | ||
| Although most of the congregation is historically centered in the Eastern borderland regions with considerable Belarusian and Ukrainian minorities, there are now many parishes across the country, as a result of ] and other diaspora movements. There are also some adherents in ], resulting from the 1989 canonical union between the hierarchy headed by Metropolitan Gabriel of ], formerly under the ], and the Polish Orthodox Church.<ref name="Brasil">{{in lang|pt}} </ref> The European bishops, however, have left the jurisdiction in 2000, which eventually resulted in senior Bishop ] being raised to archepiscopal dignity. There are now parishes in the states of ], ] and ], plus a mission in ]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Igreja+cat%C3%B3lica+ortodoxa+S%C3%A3o+Jo%C3%A3o+O+Precursor./@-3.9732432,-38.3522413,15.33z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x7b8a1990c81b245:0xc589d17c24f20ab9!8m2!3d-3.9744401!4d-38.3543618?coh=164777&entry=tt | title=Saint John the Precursor Orthodox Church · CE-040, 39 |
Although most of the congregation is historically centered in the Eastern borderland regions with considerable Belarusian and Ukrainian minorities, there are now many parishes across the country, as a result of ] and other diaspora movements. There are also some adherents in ], resulting from the 1989 canonical union between the hierarchy headed by Metropolitan Gabriel of ], formerly under the ], and the Polish Orthodox Church.<ref name="Brasil">{{in lang|pt}} </ref> The European bishops, however, have left the jurisdiction in 2000, which eventually resulted in senior Bishop ] being raised to archepiscopal dignity. There are now parishes in the states of ], ] and ], plus a mission in ]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Igreja+cat%C3%B3lica+ortodoxa+S%C3%A3o+Jo%C3%A3o+O+Precursor./@-3.9732432,-38.3522413,15.33z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x7b8a1990c81b245:0xc589d17c24f20ab9!8m2!3d-3.9744401!4d-38.3543618?coh=164777&entry=tt | title=Saint John the Precursor Orthodox Church · CE-040, 39 – Patacas, Aquiraz – CE, 61700-000, Brazil }}</ref> and a monastery in ].<ref name="Brasil"/><ref>{{in lang|pt}} </ref> | ||
| In 2003, following the decision of the Holy Sobor of Bishops of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the ]s of Chelm and Podlasie suffering persecution during the 1940s were canonized.<ref>J. Charkiewicz, ''Męczennicy XX wieku. Martyrologia Prawosławia w Polsce w biografiach świętych''.</ref> | In 2003, following the decision of the Holy Sobor of Bishops of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the ]s of Chelm and Podlasie suffering persecution during the 1940s were canonized.<ref>J. Charkiewicz, ''Męczennicy XX wieku. Martyrologia Prawosławia w Polsce w biografiach świętych''.</ref> | ||
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| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 08:58, 7 November 2024
Eastern Orthodox jurisdiction in Poland| Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church | |
|---|---|
| Polski Autokefaliczny Kościół Prawosławny | |
 Coat of arms | |
| Classification | Eastern Orthodox |
| Primate | Archbishop of Warsaw and Metropolitan of All Poland, Sawa Hrycuniak. |
| Bishops | 12 |
| Dioceses | 8 |
| Deaneries | 28 |
| Parishes | 278 |
| Language | Polish Church Slavonic Portuguese |
| Headquarters | Warsaw, Poland |
| Territory | Poland and Brazil |
| Founder | Ss. Cyril and Methodius |
| Independence | 1924, 1948 |
| Recognition | Autocephaly recognised in 1924 by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and in 1948 by the Russian Orthodox Church. |
| Members | 504,400 (2016) |
| Official website | www |
The Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church (Polish: Polski Autokefaliczny Kościół Prawosławny), commonly known as the Polish Orthodox Church, or Orthodox Church of Poland, is one of the autocephalous Eastern Orthodox churches in full communion. The church was established in 1924, to accommodate Orthodox Christians of Polish descent in the eastern part of the country, when Poland regained its independence after the First World War.
In total, it has approximately 500,000 adherents (2016). In the Polish census of 2011, 156,000 citizens declared themselves as members.
History
Early period of Russian Orthodoxy: 1793–1905
See also: Russification of Poles during the Partitions and Russification of BelarusFollowing partitions of Poland and annexation of Polish territory by the Imperial Russia, the administration of Eastern Orthodox communities was carried out by the vicar bishop of Pereyaslav and Boryspil of the Kyiv Eparchy with residence in Slutsk. The Eastern Orthodox population on territory of modern Poland was very scarce at that time. In 1825 the administration was switched to the bishop of Minsk and in 1827 – the bishop of Volhynia.
In 1834 there was established a post of the vicar bishop of Warsaw of the Volhynian eparchy. Establishment of the post was partially due to the 1830–31 Polish uprising (so called November Uprising). The idea to create the post of the vicar bishop of Warsaw belonged to the Namiestnik of Poland and Serence Prince of Warsaw Ivan Paskevich. By 1834 in Vistula Land existed at least 6 parochial Orthodox temples and the Saint Onuphrius Monastery in Jabłeczna. The first bishop became Antoni (Rafalski) who was an archimandrite of the Pochaiv Lavra. The new vicar bishop was not only subordinated to the Volhynian eparchy, but also directly to the ober-procurator of the Holy Synod.
Starting since 1783, on territories that were annexed in 1793, there were established Minsk Eparchy, Bratslav Eparchy, and Izyaslav Eparchy. In 1839 there was established the eparchy of Wilno and Lithuania following the 1839 Synod of Polotsk which liquidated Uniate Church on territory of the Imperial Russia. In 1840, the former Warsaw vicariate was transformed into a separate eparchy of Warsaw covering the whole Congress of Poland.
Following the 1875 conversion of Chełm Eparchy (Eparchy of Chełm–Belz) of the Ruthenian Uniate Church, the Eparchy of Warsaw was renamed as Eparchy of Warsaw and Chełm, while Marcel Popiel who played a key role in the process was ordained as a vicar bishop of the merged diocese.
Transitional period: 1905–1924
Following the 1905 revolution in the Imperial Russia, Tsar issued the manifest "On strengthening the principles of religious tolerance" which gave start to revival of Catholicism. Several parishes en masse were switching back to the Uniate Church.
With start of the World War I, in 1915 the Russian Church in Poland was evacuated along with the Russian administration. On territory of what it was "Warsaw Eparchy" remained about 10 priests. The last archbishop of Warsaw Nicholas (Ziorov) died soon after evacuation and during the remaining time of World War I, the diocese was vacant.
Following the 1917–18 Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow finally appointed a new bishop to the eparchy of Warsaw who was Seraphim (Chichagov). Seraphim (Chichagov) was never able to actually arrive to his appointed diocese due to unstable situation. To fix that in September 1921, the Archbishop of Minsk George (Yaroshevsky) was appointed as Patriarchal Exarch in Poland.
First period of the autocephalous church: 1924–1939
The church was established in 1924 after Poland regained independence, as the Second Polish Republic, following World War I in 1918. After the Polish–Soviet War and the Treaty of Riga of 1921, Poland secured control of a sizeable portion of its former eastern territories previously lost in the late-18th-century Partitions of Poland to the Russian Empire. Eastern Orthodoxy was widespread in the eastern provinces of interwar Poland. The loss of an ecclesiastical link, due to the persecution of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Soviet Union, left the regional clergy in a crisis, and in 1924 the Ecumenical Patriarchate took over, establishing several autonomous churches on territories of the new states that were formerly wholly or partially part of the Russian Empire: Finland, the Baltic states, and Poland. In 1922 a conflict ensued due intervention of the Russian Orthodox Church that approved appointment of bishops in Poland without agreement from Metropolitan of Warsaw George (Yaroshevsky). The conflict was led by the Bishop of Wilno and Lida Eleftherios. Several diocesan bishops along with Eleftherios of Wilno including Panteleimon (Rozhnovsky), Vladimir (Tikhonitsky) and others took stance against seeking autocephalous status for the Orthodox Church in Poland. Most of them were expelled from Poland. Bishops Eleftherios and Vladimir were also against ordination of Alexander (Inozemtsev) who was ordained as a vicar bishop of Lublin by George (Yaroshevsky) and Dionizy (Waledyński) on 4 June 1922.
Earlier, in January 1922, the Polish government had issued an order recognizing the Orthodox church and placing it under the authority of the state. At that time a Ukrainian, George (Yaroshevsky), was appointed Metropolitan and exarch by the patriarch of Moscow. When Yaroshevsky began to reject the authority of Moscow Patriarchate, he was assassinated by a Russian monk. Nonetheless, his successor, Dionizy (Waledyński), continued to work for the autocephaly of the Polish Orthodox church, which was finally granted by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in his Tomos of 13 November 1924. Most of the parishioners were Ukrainians and Belarusians living in the eastern areas of the newly independent Polish Second Republic. The Patriarch of Constantinople has the only canonical basis to grant the Tomos to new autocephalous churches. Moscow Patriarchate interpretes this otherwise though and considers itself being a successor of the Kyiv Metropolia, the former territory of Kyivan Rus' which Constantinople continued to see as its canonical territory (having agreed to allow Moscow to be its caretaker in 1686). The Russian Orthodox Church at the time did not recognise Constantinople's granting of Polish autocephaly. See History of Christianity in Ukraine § Territories gained by Pereyaslav Rada.
During the interwar period, however, the Polish authorities imposed severe restrictions on the church and its clergy. In the most famous example, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Warsaw was destroyed in the mid-1920s. In Volhynia a total of 190 Eastern Orthodox churches were destroyed and a further 150 converted to Catholicism. Several court hearings against the Pochaiv Lavra also took place.
World War II: 1939–1944
Following the start of the World War II on 1 September 1939 and the Soviet invasion of Poland on 17 September 1939, Poland was divided between the Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. For support of resistance against the Nazi Germany, the Metropolitan Dionisius was arrested, while the Church territories (dioceses) were mostly taken over by the Moscow Patriarchate and the rest were transferred under temporary administration by the Metropolitan of Berlin Seraphim (Lade) of the ROCOR, who also was assisted by Vasily (Pavlovsky). At the end of 1940, Metropolitan Dionisius signed a loyalty declaration for the General Governor of Poland Hans Frank and was released from his arrest. On 30 September 1940 the Bishop Council of the Polish Orthodox Church led by Metropolitan Dionisius reformed the Church considering the new realities and constituted new dioceses which were 3: Diocese of Warschau and Radom, Diocese of Cholm and Podlachia, Diocese of Krakau and Lemkos. On territories that became part of the Reichskommissariat Ukraine, there was established separate "Orthodox Autocephalous Church on liberated territory of Ukraine" under auspices of the Polish Orthodox Church led by Polycarp (Sikorsky), a vicar bishop of Lutsk. Along with Alexander (Inozemtsev), Polycarp (Sikorsky) started to develop what later would be known as the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
Another member of the Polish Orthodox Church clergy, Archbishop Alexiy (Hromadsky) in Pochaiv Lavra created in August 1941 an opposition organization, loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate, known as Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox Church.
Since 1945
Further information: Polish anti-religious campaign (1945–1990)After the Second World War, the pre-war eastern territories of Poland were annexed by the Soviet Union and included within the Lithuanian, Byelorussian and Ukrainian SSRs. The annexed territories contained up to 80% of the PAOC's parishes and congregation, which were united with the recently re-instated Moscow Patriarchate. The remaining parishes that were now on the territory of the Polish People's Republic were kept by the PAOC, including most of the mixed easternmost territories such as around Chełm and Białystok. In 1948, after the Soviet Union established political control over Poland, the Russian Orthodox Church recognised the autocephalous status of the Polish Orthodox Church.
Although most of the congregation is historically centered in the Eastern borderland regions with considerable Belarusian and Ukrainian minorities, there are now many parishes across the country, as a result of Operation Vistula and other diaspora movements. There are also some adherents in Brazil, resulting from the 1989 canonical union between the hierarchy headed by Metropolitan Gabriel of Lisbon, formerly under the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece, and the Polish Orthodox Church. The European bishops, however, have left the jurisdiction in 2000, which eventually resulted in senior Bishop Chrysostom being raised to archepiscopal dignity. There are now parishes in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco and Paraíba, plus a mission in Ceará and a monastery in João Pessoa.
In 2003, following the decision of the Holy Sobor of Bishops of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the New Martyrs of Chelm and Podlasie suffering persecution during the 1940s were canonized.
Primates of the Church
The Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church was established in 1924. Traditionally the primate of the church has the title Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland.
- Metropolitan George (Grzegorz Jaroszewski) – Metropolitan of Warsaw (1921–1923), Russian Patriarchal Exarch in Poland (Predecessor for establishment of the structure of Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church)
- Metropolitan Dionysius (Konstanty Waledyński) – Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland (1923–1948)
- locum tenens Timothy (Szretter) (1948–1951)
- Metropolitan Macarius (Michał Oksijuk) – Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland (1951–1959)
- Metropolitan Timotheus (Jerzy Szretter) – Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland (1961–1962)
- locum tenens George (Korenistov) (1962–1965)
- Metropolitan Stefan – Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland (1965–1969)
- locum tenens George (Korenistov) (1969–1970)
- Metropolitan Basil [pl] (Włodzimierz Doroszkiewicz) – Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland (1970–1998)
- Metropolitan Sabbas (Michał Hrycuniak) – Metropolitan of Warsaw and All Poland (1998–present)
Administration
Polish Orthodox Cathedrals (examples)_ID_613040.jpg)
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Łódź
Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Białystok
Transfiguration Cathedral, Lublin
Nativity of Mary Cathedral, Wrocław
The church is headed by the Archbishop of Warsaw and Metropolitan of All Poland: Sawa (Michał) Hrycuniak (1998–). It is divided into the following dioceses:
Archdioceses and archbishops
- Archdiocese of Warsaw and Bielsk: Sawa (Hrycuniak)
- Archdiocese of Białystok and Gdańsk: Jakub (Kostiuczuk) (2008–)
- Archdiocese of Łódź and Poznań: Atanazy (Nos) (2017–)
- Archdiocese of Wrocław and Szczecin: George (Pańkowski) (2017–)
- Archdiocese of Lublin and Chełm: Abel (Popławski) (2001–)
- Archdiocese of Przemyśl and Gorlice: Paisius (Martyniuk) (2016–)
- Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro and Olinda-Recife: Chrysostom (Freire) (1992–)
- Diocese of Recife: Ambrose (Cubas) (1996–)
Titular dioceses and bishops
- Titular Diocese of Supraśl: Gregory (Charkiewicz) (2008–), Vicar Bishop for Białystok and Gdańsk
- Titular Diocese of Siemiatycze: George (Mariusz) Pańkowski (2007–), Ordinary for the Polish Orthodox Military Ordinariate and Vicar Bishop for Warsaw and Bielsk
Other entities
- Polish Orthodox Military Ordinariate
Original dioceses
Dioceses and bishops upon the issue of the tomos in 1924
- Diocese of Warsaw and Chełm (ruling): Dionizy (Waledyński)
- vicar of Lublin: Alexander (Inozemtsev)
- Diocese of Wołyń: Dionizy (Waledyński)
- Diocese of Grodno and Nowogródek: Aleksiy (Hromadsky)
- Diocese of Pinsk and Polesie
- Diocese of Wilna and Lida: Theodosius (Feodosiev)
- Following the Soviet invasion of Poland, most of dioceses except for Warsaw were annexed by the Moscow Patriarchate as so called Western Exarchate centered in Lutsk. Dionizy (Waledyński) was arrested by the Nazi authorities and was placed under arrest. The rest of territories were given to administration of Seraphim (Lade) of the ROCOR, who also was assisted by Vasily (Pavlovsky).
See also
- Religion in Poland
- Catholic Church in Poland
- Protestantism in Poland
- Eastern Orthodox Communion
- Supraśl Lavra
- Union of Brest
- Reformation in Poland
- Warsaw Icon Museum
- Saints Peter and Paul Church, Siematycze
- Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Rogacze
References
- ^ Główny Urząd Statystyczny, Mały Rocznik Statystyczny Polski 2016, Warszawa 2017, tab. 18(80), s. 115.
- Paweł Ciecieląg, Andrzej Datko, Bożena Łazowska, Piotr Łysoń, Paweł Milcarek, Wojciech Sadłoń: 1050 lat chrześcijaństwa w Polsce. Warszawa: GUS, 2016, s. 73. ISBN 978-83-7027-606-5.
- ^ ВАРШАВСКОЕ ВИКАРИАТСТВО. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)
- МИНСКАЯ И ЗАСЛАВСКАЯ ЕПАРХИЯ. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)
- ВИЛЕНСКАЯ И ЛИТОВСКАЯ ЕПАРХИЯ. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)
- ^ ВАРШАВСКАЯ ЕПАРХИЯ. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia)
- M. Papierzyńska-Turek, Między tradycją a rzeczywistością. Państwo wobec prawosławia 1918–1939.
- ^ ЕЛЕВФЕРИЙ. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia).
- Mironowicz A. Kościół prawosławny na ziemiach polskich w XIX i XX wieku, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku, Białystok 2005, ISBN 8374310464.
- ^ Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine, Polish Autocephalous Orthodox church, accessed 2 June 2020.
- "Tomos". Orthodox Church of America – UAOC – Standing Episcopal Conference of Orthodox Bishops. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
- "Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: "As the Mother Church, it is reasonable to desire the restoration of unity for the divided ecclesiastical body in Ukraine" – News Releases – The Ecumenical Patriarchate". www.patriarchate.org. Retrieved 2018-10-28.
- Healy, R. and Dal Lago, E. The Shadow of Colonialism on Europe’s Modern Past.
- (in Ukrainian) ІСТОРИЧНА ВОЛИНЬ: Спроби ревіндикації луцького Свято-Троїцького собору
- ^ ДИОНИСИЙ. www.pravenc.ru (Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia).
- Russian Orthodox Church Department for External Church Relations (14 September 2018). "Statement of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church concerning the uncanonical intervention of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in the canonical territory of the Russian Orthodox Church". Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ^ (in Portuguese) Eparquia Ortodoxa do Brasil
- "Saint John the Precursor Orthodox Church · CE-040, 39 – Patacas, Aquiraz – CE, 61700-000, Brazil".
- (in Portuguese) Mosteiro Ortodoxo da Dormição da Santa Mãe de Deus
- J. Charkiewicz, Męczennicy XX wieku. Martyrologia Prawosławia w Polsce w biografiach świętych.
- Mironowicz, A. (2001). Kościół prawosławny na ziemiach polskich w XIX i XX wieku. Białystok: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku. p. 248. ISBN 83-7431-046-4.
- (in Polish) Polish Orthodox Church: Adminstracja
- (in Polish) Orthodox Diocese of Białystok and Gdańsk: Abp Jakub i Bp Grzegorz
- Феодосий (Феодосиев). www.ortho-rus.ru (Russian Orthodoxy, archived).
External links
- Polish Orthodox Church, official site
- Polish Orthodox Church Unofficial Site (English)
- Polish Orthodox Diocese of Przemyśl-Nowy Sącz (Polish)
- Polish Orthodox Diocese of Lublin-Chełm (Polish)
- Polish Orthodox Diocese of Białystok-Gdańsk (English)
- Polish Orthodox Diocese of Wrocław-Szczecin (Polish)
- Polish Orthodox Military Ordinariat (Polish)
- Polish Orthodox Diocese of Brazil (Portuguese)
- Article by Ronald Roberson on the Polish Orthodox Church on CNEWA website
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- Polish Orthodox Church
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- Christian organizations established in 1924
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- 1924 establishments in Poland