Forest Dimension of Holiness in the Polish Biographies of the XVI-XVIII Centuries Cover Image

Leśne przestrzenie świętości w polskim żywotopisarstwie XVI – XVIII wieku
Forest Dimension of Holiness in the Polish Biographies of the XVI-XVIII Centuries

Author(s): Bernadetta Puchalska-Dąbrowska
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, 16th Century, 17th Century, 18th Century, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Kuria Metropolitalna Białostocka

Summary/Abstract: The article aims at the presentation of the variety of images and functions of woods and forests in Polish hagiography of the 16th-18th centuries. In the majority of the texts analysed they play the role of a natural shelter from the outside world, enabling different categories of saints (hermits, anchoresses etc) to lead their spiritual life. The forest existence as a temporary, “formative” stage of life shapes biographies of other saintly characters such as preachers, monks and scholars. The forest as a symbol of seclusion is also used as an illustration of strict monastery discipline. Also, it is frequently presented as a background of numerous martyrdom episodes and miracles. Other interesting aspect of forest is its functioning in the role of a shelter in persecutions or a space ‘desecrated’ by heretics.

  • Issue Year: 27/2009
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 255-269
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish