Jadwiga i Jagiełło w dziele chrystianizacji Litwy

The article discusses the actions undertaken by Jadwiga of Anjou and Władysław Jagiełło in connection with the Christianization of Lithuania and Samogitia. The royal couple organized a missionary expedition, which Jagiełło led himself in 1387 taking part in converting the Lithuanians to the Christian faith, while Jadwiga materially supported the nascent Lithuanian Church. They both petitioned Pope Urban VI for the canonical establishment of the Vilnius Bishopric, which was founded in 1387. The bishopric’s erection took place in 1390 or 1391 with Andrzej Niemsta, the former bishop of Seret, translated to Vilnius. Władysław Jagiełło founded 11 parish churches in Lithuania. Monasteries of Franciscans, Benedictines, and Canons Regular of Penance, which were also established in the Lithuanian lands, contributed to the strengthening of faith among Lithuanians. With the approval of the Council of Constance in 1417, Samogitia was Christianized and a bishopric was founded with its seat in Miedniki. The royal couple strived to prepare educated clergy for the Church of Lithuania. The establishment of the Faculty of Theology in Cracow (1397) was to serve that purpose. Moreover, Jadwiga undertook efforts to found a college in Prague for theological students from Lithuania (1397). The Saint Queen was also a strong spiritual pillar of the young Lithuanian Church.