Holy Mass for Kings in the Poznań Cathedral – the oldest royal necropolis in the country

It is the only specified Eucharist on a national scale – so on annually held in the Poznań Cathedral Masses for the first kings and rulers of Poland were told PAP by the parish priest Fr Ireneusz Szwarc.

This year the Metropolitan of Poznań Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki (Sunday, November 17, 10 a.m.) presides over the Sunday Mass for the kings and rulers of Poland buried in the cathedral. all year, representatives of state and local authorities participate in the solemn liturgy.

The Poznań Cathedral is the oldest royal necropolis in the country. The first Piasts were buried here: from Lives I to manufacture II. In the 19th century, the mausoleum of the first Piasts became the Golden Chapel.

"It was here, in Poznań, in Ostrów Tumski that Poland began. The first rulers had their headquarters, where Poland could be baptized. Poznań Cathedral was the first bishop's seat on Polish lands, and is besides the oldest royal necropolis in the country. For all these reasons, Mass for the kings and rulers buried here is an extraordinary, the only specified event of national rank" – Fr Szwarc told PAP.

As he added, the yearly Masses held in November for the first kings and rulers preceded the joint decision of the regional secular authorities and bishop of Poznań. "We pray not only for the first kings, rulers of our country, but besides for our homeland here and now," said Fr Szwarc.

The parish priest admitted that despite specified peculiar circumstances relating to the Mass for kings, it is not peculiarly besieged by the Poznańs and Greaterpolans. During the year, many people, including guests from Poland and abroad, have a want to enter the Cathedral Golden Chapel.

"It is not possible, but curious people can admire it through a special, uncommon grate and thanks to the lighting installed in the chapel. The Golden Chapel is opened for important, peculiar guests staying in Poznań. On 1 November, at the sarcophagus, Lives and Bolesława, we light a niche, at the occasion of mass for kings and rulers – we place flowers here," Fr Szwarc said.

The priest pointed out that the Golden Chapel is in rather good condition, but it is troubled by moisture. About 20 years ago, she was subjected to a thorough conservation work. The request to repeat them is slow born.

The chapel was decorated as the royal mausoleum of the first rulers of Poland. It contains a sarcophagus with the remains of the Prince Lives I and King Bolesław Chrobry. The committee of building a chapel called a golden or royal chapel was established under the leadership of hr. Edward Raczyński in the early 19th century at the initiative of the later bishop, priest Teofil Wolicki. The implementation took place in 1836–37, and for the following years, the Byzantine chapel was equipped. The task was developed by Francis Lanci.

According to the Archdiocese of Poznań, the Poznań Cathedral was the first bishopric seat on Polish lands. It is the oldest and largest Piast necropolis. In its basements, the St.

Source: PAP # Archpoznan. #

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