Walerian Protasewicz
Encyclopedia
Walerian Protasewicz was bishop of Lutsk
(1549–1555) and Vilnius (1555–1579). To combat Reformation
he invited Jesuits to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
. He funded the Jesuit college in Vilnius and obtained Papal and Royal privileges to convert the college into Vilnius University
in 1579. The university soon became spiritual and cultural center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
. It is unknown where he received his education or when he was ordained as a priest. He was friends with Stanislovas Kęsgaila
, Elder of Samogitia. Perhaps through this connection Protasewicz obtained a position at the chancellery of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
. There he worked as a scribe, notary, secretary until 1549. From 1532 to 1544, he headed the chancellery of Queen Bona Sforza
. With her support Protasewicz received benefice
of Maišiagala
in 1533.
In 1533 Protasewicz was appointed by Kęsgaila as pastor of Kražiai
. Soon he was promoted by Mikalojus Viežgaila, Bishop of Samogitia, to canon of Varniai
. He joined the Vilnius diocesan chapter
first as a member (since 1537) and later as a dean (1547–1549).
on May 27, 1549 and as bishop of Vilnius by Pope Paul IV
on April 10, 1556. At first he was more interested in political affairs, participating in Seimas
and advising the Grand Duke. Generally Protasewicz supported judicial independence of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and opposed a closer union between Poland and Lithuania. In 1568 Protasewicz joined a commission preparing the third Statute of Lithuania and headed it until his death. He was a leading member of the Lithuanian delegations sent to the Polish Sejm
to negotiate the Union of Lublin
.
He was criticized for neglecting religious matters and allowing Reformation
to spread. Protasewicz soon began to combat Protestantism by calling two diocesan synod
s, disciplining priests, and improving the Cathedral School of Vilnius
. He constructed churches in Šešuoliai and Kiaukliai. His most important contribution to Counter-Reformation
was establishment of Vilnius Academy in 1570. He obtained privileges to convert the academy into a university in 1579. Protasewicz also laid the groundwork for the Vilnius Theological Seminary, established in 1582.
In 1574, after death of Samogitian bishop Jurgis Petkūnas, Archbishop of Gniezno Jakub Uchański
attempted to promote his nephew. Protasewicz protested such nepotism
and instead managed to persuade the Pope to install Melchior Giedroyć. At the same time he selected Paweł Holszański as his successor and appointed him as coadjutor bishop
.
delayed due to the Livonian War
, opposition of some Protestant nobles, and difficulties in finding the right personnel. With assistance from papal nuncio Giovanni Francesco Commendone
and Bishop of Warmia Stanislaus Hosius
, Protasewicz persuaded Sigismund to allow the school to be established. The priests were afraid that Protestants might be first to establish an academy as such a Protestant school was contemplated by Mikołaj "the Red" Radziwiłł based on the last will of Mikołaj "the Black" Radziwiłł. The Jesuits hoped that the new school would become their stronghold, preparing new generations of Catholic-educated activists for future religious work. The academy was intended to stop immigration of Lithuanian students to Protestant German universities, including newly established University of Königsberg
. Possibly there were also political motives: Lithuania needed a university as a counterpart to the Polish university in Kraków
.
Protasewicz was instrumental in providing financial support to the school. He bought, renovated, and expanded a palace for the academy and a dormitory for students. He also gifted his own personal library to what became Vilnius University Library
. The education was free; thus the new academy needed an endowment to provide funding. To that end Protasewicz bequested several manors and villages near Varniai
, Trakai
, Maišiagala
, Širvintos
, Lida
. The first four Jesuit teachers arrived from Olomouc
in 1569 and the first lessons took place in May 1570. The official opening was celebrated on July 17, which was officially marked in honor of Protasewicz annually for about 200 years. The new school year in October 1570 began with 122–160 students based on the classical curriculum of trivium and quadrivium
. The number of staff and students grew—by 1572 there were Jesuit staff from 15 different European countries and 200 students. The academy was established with intentions to convert it into a university. Protasewicz petitioned Pope Gregory XIII
and Grand Duke Stephen Báthory
to grant university privileges (i.e. the ability to confer universally accepted degrees) to the academy. Royal privilege was issued in July 1578 and approved by the Pope in October 1579. The university was granted autonomy and exempted from taxes, but also prohibited from offering courses in medicine or law and thus competing with the Jagiellonian University
in Kraków
.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Lutsk
The Roman Catholic diocese of Lutsk was first erected in the 13th century as the diocese of Luceoria o Łuck. After the victory of Napoleon, the diocese was united with the diocese of Zytomir and Zytomirsk, into the diocese of Lutzk, Zhitomir and Kamenetz...
(1549–1555) and Vilnius (1555–1579). To combat Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
he invited Jesuits to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 12th /13th century until 1569 and then as a constituent part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1791 when Constitution of May 3, 1791 abolished it in favor of unitary state. It was founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic...
. He funded the Jesuit college in Vilnius and obtained Papal and Royal privileges to convert the college into Vilnius University
Vilnius University
Vilnius University is the oldest university in the Baltic states and one of the oldest in Eastern Europe. It is also the largest university in Lithuania....
in 1579. The university soon became spiritual and cultural center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
Early life
Protasewicz was born into a family of Lithuanian nobles from a small village of Shushkova near Kraysk in the district of LahojskLahojsk
Lahojsk is a city in the Minsk Province of Belarus, an administrative center of the Lahojsk district. This city has a ski resort named Silichy.-External links:* * *...
. It is unknown where he received his education or when he was ordained as a priest. He was friends with Stanislovas Kęsgaila
Stanislovas Kesgaila (died 1532)
Stanislovas Kęstgaila was a Lithuanian nobleman, son of Stanislovas Kęsgaila from the Kęsgailos family. Stanislovas Kęstgaila was the Elder of Samogitia and castellan of Trakai...
, Elder of Samogitia. Perhaps through this connection Protasewicz obtained a position at the chancellery of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Grand Duchy of Lithuania
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was a European state from the 12th /13th century until 1569 and then as a constituent part of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until 1791 when Constitution of May 3, 1791 abolished it in favor of unitary state. It was founded by the Lithuanians, one of the polytheistic...
. There he worked as a scribe, notary, secretary until 1549. From 1532 to 1544, he headed the chancellery of Queen Bona Sforza
Bona Sforza
Bona Sforza was a member of the powerful Milanese House of Sforza. In 1518, she became the second wife of Sigismund I the Old, the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, and became the Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania.She was the third child of Gian Galeazzo Sforza and his wife...
. With her support Protasewicz received benefice
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
of Maišiagala
Maišiagala
Maišiagala is a historic town in Vilnius district municipality, Lithuania. It is located about northwest of Vilnius near the Vilnius–Panevėžys highway. According to the 2001 census, it had population of 1,634.-History:...
in 1533.
In 1533 Protasewicz was appointed by Kęsgaila as pastor of Kražiai
Kražiai
Kražiai is a town in Lithuania, located in the Kelmė district municipality, between Varniai and Raseiniai , on the Kražantė river. The old town of Kražiai is an archeological and urban monument....
. Soon he was promoted by Mikalojus Viežgaila, Bishop of Samogitia, to canon of Varniai
Varniai
Varniai , is a city in the Telšiai County, western Lithuania. In the Middle Ages the city was known as Medininkai. It was established in the 14th century, on the bank of the Varnelė River, near an important Samogitian castle. It was the center of Samogitian Catholic church: after the baptism of...
. He joined the Vilnius diocesan chapter
Chapter (religion)
Chapter designates certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Nordic Lutheran churches....
first as a member (since 1537) and later as a dean (1547–1549).
Bishop
Protasewicz was appointed as bishop of Lutsk by Pope Paul IIIPope Paul III
Pope Paul III , born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1534 to his death in 1549. He came to the papal throne in an era following the sack of Rome in 1527 and rife with uncertainties in the Catholic Church following the Protestant Reformation...
on May 27, 1549 and as bishop of Vilnius by Pope Paul IV
Pope Paul IV
Pope Paul IV, C.R. , né Giovanni Pietro Carafa, was Pope from 23 May 1555 until his death.-Early life:Giovanni Pietro Carafa was born in Capriglia Irpina, near Avellino, into a prominent noble family of Naples...
on April 10, 1556. At first he was more interested in political affairs, participating in Seimas
Seimas of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Seimas was an early parliament in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It was active from 1445 to 1569, when it was officially abolished by the Union of Lublin. The Seimas was an irregular gathering of the Lithuanian nobility, called as needed by the Grand Duke or during an interregnum the Lithuanian...
and advising the Grand Duke. Generally Protasewicz supported judicial independence of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and opposed a closer union between Poland and Lithuania. In 1568 Protasewicz joined a commission preparing the third Statute of Lithuania and headed it until his death. He was a leading member of the Lithuanian delegations sent to the Polish Sejm
Great Sejm
The Great Sejm, also known as the Four-Year Sejm was a Sejm of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth that was held in Warsaw, beginning in 1788...
to negotiate the Union of Lublin
Union of Lublin
The Union of Lublin replaced the personal union of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with a real union and an elective monarchy, since Sigismund II Augustus, the last of the Jagiellons, remained childless after three marriages. In addition, the autonomy of Royal Prussia was...
.
He was criticized for neglecting religious matters and allowing Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
to spread. Protasewicz soon began to combat Protestantism by calling two diocesan synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
s, disciplining priests, and improving the Cathedral School of Vilnius
Cathedral School of Vilnius
The Cathedral School of Vilnius was a cathedral school attached to the Vilnius Cathedral. It is believed to be the earliest school in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. For about a hundred years it was the only Catholic school in Vilnius...
. He constructed churches in Šešuoliai and Kiaukliai. His most important contribution to Counter-Reformation
Counter-Reformation
The Counter-Reformation was the period of Catholic revival beginning with the Council of Trent and ending at the close of the Thirty Years' War, 1648 as a response to the Protestant Reformation.The Counter-Reformation was a comprehensive effort, composed of four major elements:#Ecclesiastical or...
was establishment of Vilnius Academy in 1570. He obtained privileges to convert the academy into a university in 1579. Protasewicz also laid the groundwork for the Vilnius Theological Seminary, established in 1582.
In 1574, after death of Samogitian bishop Jurgis Petkūnas, Archbishop of Gniezno Jakub Uchański
Jakub Uchanski
Jakub Uchański , of Radwan Coat of Arms, was an archbishop of Gniezno and primate of Poland from 1562 to 1581, interrex from 1572 to 1573 and from 1574 to 1575....
attempted to promote his nephew. Protasewicz protested such nepotism
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
and instead managed to persuade the Pope to install Melchior Giedroyć. At the same time he selected Paweł Holszański as his successor and appointed him as coadjutor bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
.
Vilnius Academy
Already in 1553 Jesuits offered to establish a college in Vilnius, but Grand Duke Sigismund II AugustusSigismund II Augustus
Sigismund II Augustus I was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, the only son of Sigismund I the Old, whom Sigismund II succeeded in 1548...
delayed due to the Livonian War
Livonian War
The Livonian War was fought for control of Old Livonia in the territory of present-day Estonia and Latvia when the Tsardom of Russia faced a varying coalition of Denmark–Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Union of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland.During the period 1558–1578,...
, opposition of some Protestant nobles, and difficulties in finding the right personnel. With assistance from papal nuncio Giovanni Francesco Commendone
Giovanni Francesco Commendone
Giovanni Francesco Commendone was an Italian Cardinal and papal nuncio.-Life:After an education in the humanities and in jurisprudence at the University of Padua, he came to Rome in 1550...
and Bishop of Warmia Stanislaus Hosius
Stanislaus Hosius
Stanislaus Hosius was a cardinal, since 1551 Prince-Bishop in Bishopric of Warmia, Poland since 1558 papal legate to the Holy Roman Emperor's Imperial Court in Vienna, Austria and since 1566 a papal legate to Poland.Hosius was born in Kraków as the son of Ulrich Hos of Pforzheim and studied law...
, Protasewicz persuaded Sigismund to allow the school to be established. The priests were afraid that Protestants might be first to establish an academy as such a Protestant school was contemplated by Mikołaj "the Red" Radziwiłł based on the last will of Mikołaj "the Black" Radziwiłł. The Jesuits hoped that the new school would become their stronghold, preparing new generations of Catholic-educated activists for future religious work. The academy was intended to stop immigration of Lithuanian students to Protestant German universities, including newly established University of Königsberg
University of Königsberg
The University of Königsberg was the university of Königsberg in East Prussia. It was founded in 1544 as second Protestant academy by Duke Albert of Prussia, and was commonly known as the Albertina....
. Possibly there were also political motives: Lithuania needed a university as a counterpart to the Polish university in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
.
Protasewicz was instrumental in providing financial support to the school. He bought, renovated, and expanded a palace for the academy and a dormitory for students. He also gifted his own personal library to what became Vilnius University Library
Vilnius University Library
Vilnius University Library or VU Library is the oldest and one of the largest academic libraries of Lithuania. It was founded in 1570 by the Jesuits and as such is nine years older than Vilnius University. VU Library holds 5.4 million documents on shelves measuring in length...
. The education was free; thus the new academy needed an endowment to provide funding. To that end Protasewicz bequested several manors and villages near Varniai
Varniai
Varniai , is a city in the Telšiai County, western Lithuania. In the Middle Ages the city was known as Medininkai. It was established in the 14th century, on the bank of the Varnelė River, near an important Samogitian castle. It was the center of Samogitian Catholic church: after the baptism of...
, Trakai
Trakai
Trakai is a historic city and lake resort in Lithuania. It lies 28 km west of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Because of its proximity to Vilnius, Trakai is a popular tourist destination. Trakai is the administrative centre of Trakai district municipality. The town covers 11.52 km2 of...
, Maišiagala
Maišiagala
Maišiagala is a historic town in Vilnius district municipality, Lithuania. It is located about northwest of Vilnius near the Vilnius–Panevėžys highway. According to the 2001 census, it had population of 1,634.-History:...
, Širvintos
Širvintos
Širvintos is a city in Vilnius County in the eastern part of Lithuania. It is the administrative center of the Širvintos district municipality.The word Širvintos is the plural form of the name of the Širvinta River, which flows through the city....
, Lida
Lida
Lida is a city in western Belarus in Hrodna Voblast, situated 160 km west of Minsk. It is the fourteenth largest city in Belarus.- Etymology :...
. The first four Jesuit teachers arrived from Olomouc
Olomouc
Olomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
in 1569 and the first lessons took place in May 1570. The official opening was celebrated on July 17, which was officially marked in honor of Protasewicz annually for about 200 years. The new school year in October 1570 began with 122–160 students based on the classical curriculum of trivium and quadrivium
Quadrivium
The quadrivium comprised the four subjects, or arts, taught in medieval universities, after teaching the trivium. The word is Latin, meaning "the four ways" , and its use for the 4 subjects has been attributed to Boethius or Cassiodorus in the 6th century...
. The number of staff and students grew—by 1572 there were Jesuit staff from 15 different European countries and 200 students. The academy was established with intentions to convert it into a university. Protasewicz petitioned Pope Gregory XIII
Pope Gregory XIII
Pope Gregory XIII , born Ugo Boncompagni, was Pope from 1572 to 1585. He is best known for commissioning and being the namesake for the Gregorian calendar, which remains the internationally-accepted civil calendar to this date.-Youth:He was born the son of Cristoforo Boncompagni and wife Angela...
and Grand Duke Stephen Báthory
Stephen Báthory
Stephen Báthory may refer to several noblemen of Hungarian descent:* Stephen III Báthory , Palatine of Hungary* Stephen V Báthory , judge of the Royal Court and Prince of Transylvania...
to grant university privileges (i.e. the ability to confer universally accepted degrees) to the academy. Royal privilege was issued in July 1578 and approved by the Pope in October 1579. The university was granted autonomy and exempted from taxes, but also prohibited from offering courses in medicine or law and thus competing with the Jagiellonian University
Jagiellonian University
The Jagiellonian University was established in 1364 by Casimir III the Great in Kazimierz . It is the oldest university in Poland, the second oldest university in Central Europe and one of the oldest universities in the world....
in Kraków
Kraków
Kraków also Krakow, or Cracow , is the second largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in the Lesser Poland region, the city dates back to the 7th century. Kraków has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, cultural, and artistic life...
.