The most religious are considered peoples of the East, especially Muslims. The modern West is not that it became an atheist, but a strict implementation of all church dogmas and requirements is characteristic of an ever smaller number of Europeans. Against this background, Poland stands out sharply. Religion in this country inextricably accompanies citizens from birth to death. Poles are rightfully considered the most true believers among European nations.
History of Christianity
The ancient Poles, like other Slavic tribes, worshiped pagan idols and natural phenomena. The transition to Christianity was inevitable for many reasons. The location of Poland between countries that had already converted to Christianity required well-established ties. As always, the religious situation in the country is affirmed for the political. During the reign of the First Bag, in 966, the moment came when the introduction of Christianity became an urgent matter.
Meshko became the baptist of Poland, which was facilitated by his marriage to the Catholic Czech Czech Dubravka Przemislovich. Not only was the ruler guided by the requirements of foreign policy, he hoped that the Roman Catholic Church would help restrain the local feudal lords and gain more power and authority within the state. Masterful feudal lords and pagan priests resisted, of course, innovations, but not for long. Christianity won, the Poles had to accept Catholicism.
How pagans became Catholics
The Catholic Church in Poland was approved by the methods of carrot and stick. Especially violent protests Meshko pacified with the help of the army, at the same time missionaries conducted explanatory work, agitation. Priests gently transformed pagan deities into Christian saints, new Catholic holidays were established on days special for the people. The veneration of the dead, faith in the afterlife, in the existence of the soul, which is separated from the body, comes from paganism. Christianity also preaches this cult. Evil spirits turned into the devil, and witches and sorcerers into those who sold his soul.
So Poland was baptized. Religion was established gently but persistently. The remnants of paganism, however, are manifested even today - it is a belief in mermaids, goblin, brownies.
Socialist Poland: religion
Over the centuries, the Poles could no longer build their fates without a church, service, and Catholic priest. During the Great Patriotic War, the service was carried out habitually and according to the schedule in the occupied territory. The first post-war elections brought the victory of the Communist Party, the main enemy of which was the church. The persecution and persecution of priests and believers ended in the arrest of Cardinal Vyshinsky. But Polish Catholics did not betray their faith - rebellions broke out periodically throughout the country, and dissatisfaction with the new government widened. These outbursts of indignation were so strong that the country's leadership had to establish relations with the church.
Religion and life
Today, the Roman Catholic Church in Poland supports all government initiatives. Many Polish politicians hold office thanks to the support of spiritual forces. This excessive politicization of the modern church slightly cools the faith of many young people. Nevertheless, the connection between religion and the state is fixed at the state level: marriage is considered valid only after the rite of marriage, children are taught at school a subject called “Religion,” which successfully passes an exam in which it gives them the right to wedding. Religious freedom manifests itself in the fact that children from families professing other beliefs may not attend these classes. Sunday church attendance for the Poles is as familiar as morning wash.
How do Gentiles live
The main religion in Poland is Catholicism, it is professed by about 90% of the country's citizens. This does not mean fanatic worship. Poles calmly side by side with both atheists and adherents of other faiths. The Polish Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and the equality of all citizens. Marriages between Catholics and Orthodox in general have become the norm for a long time, the main thing is the wedding rite, regardless of which church. The number of representatives of other religious movements is much smaller than Catholics. Of these, the largest group is Orthodox. These are, as a rule, immigrants from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, who moved to Poland to reside.
Small groups of believers are Protestants. One of the branches of this religion, which rejects political participation, is banned in Poland. These are the so-called Jehovah's Witnesses, who too eagerly began to put forward anti-government slogans. Jewish communities, admirers of Judaism on Polish soil number about 7 thousand people. A small group, about a thousand people, are Muslims.
Holy places
Poland, whose religion has withstood many persecutions and has remained an integral part of society, protects its shrines sacredly. Monasteries and churches are classified as cultural and architectural monuments. It somehow happened that the most revered of the saints for the Poles is the Virgin Mary. Most sanctuaries that are called sanctuaries here are dedicated to her. There are about 200 of them in Poland, all have miraculous icons, many are built next to healing springs. The heart of the religious cult is the Yasnogursky Monastery in the city of Czestochowa. He is also famous for his miraculous icon of the Black Madonna. Complexes of temples and chapels - Calvaries - places visited not only by Poles, but also by visiting tourists. The most famous Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is one of the monuments protected by UNESCO.
Poles are the most religious people in Europe; nevertheless, people perceive their faith as additional moral support and treat them soberly and pragmatically.