LITHUANIA, 2004, the 425th anniversary of the University
of Vilnius, Scott 765
featuring Father Piotr Skarga, SJ, the university's first rector.
POLAND, 2012, the 4th centenary of Skarga's death, Scott 4055
The 2004 image seems based on an
old portrayal, while the2012 image and the labels below are based on
Skarga's Sermon by Jan Matejko which is reproduced on the FDC below
POLAND, 1938, postal card featuring the same painting
POLAND, 2012 FDC and FDI cancel with Skarga's
Sermon by Jan
Matejko
Polish cinderellas, 1912 and 1982-1989
The first of these items (left) was issued in 1912 by the TSL, the Towarzystwo Szkol Ludowych or the Society of Peasant Schools, a patriotic educational society in Galicia (Austrian Poland) and western Ukraine, whose publications emphasized Polish history, culture and patriotism in the face of Austrian authorities. The next two (right) were issued in large quantities between 1982 and 1989 to raise money for Solidarity, and as a protest against martial law which had been declared by the Communist authorities in Poland. The underground members who issued the stamps risked imprisonment without trial if caught. Very few were used on covers sent through the mail.
Piotr Skarga was born at Grojec near Warsaw, a member of the noble Paweski family. Skaga, his pseudonym meaning accusation, quickly replaced his family name. He is one of the great literary and religious figures of his time, especially in Poland, a preacher, missionary, reformer, writer and popular theologian, dedicated to promoting Church unity, individual and national morality and justice, care for the sick, the poor, the defenseless. His efforts contributed in great part to the return of the Ruthenians to union with Rome. He was educated at Grojec, Krakow and in Italy, and was ordained before entering the Jesuits. He became the first rector of the University of Vilnius, and while there wrote his Lives of the Saints, one of the most widely read books in Poland. King Sigismund III appointed him court preacher in 1588, and he used his pulpit frequently to address the legislators. He left court just a few months before his death.
In September 2011 the Polish Parliament proclaimed 2012 to be The Year of Fr. Piotr Skarga SJ. More
POLAND, 1936, the 4th centenary of the birth of Skarga
POLAND, 1994 and 1999, the 75th and 80th anniversaries of a school named for him
