Chrześcijaństwo w kulturze – wybrane zagadnienia
Christianity in Culture – Selected Aspects
Contributor(s): Alina Maria Nowicka-Jeżowa (Editor), Maria Chodyko (Editor)
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History, Language and Literature Studies, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Theology and Religion, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Christianity; ancient culture; performing arts; the Middle Ages; Renaissance; early Modern Era; culture of the First Polish Republic
Summary/Abstract: The volume explores Polish and European Christian culture from the 15th to the 17th century, presented from the perspective of ancient and early Christian tradition and the dialogue between East and West. The authors examine selected aspects of literature (treatises, apocrypha, sermons, poetry), art and sacred music, rituals in popular culture (songs, music and theatrical spectacles). The publication also discusses spiritual Christian movements (Ignatian and Jesuit spirituality, Carmelite school) and the turning points in culture (dialogue with pagan antiquity in the first centuries and gradual abatement of humanistic tradition, the Council of Trent and the vision of culture emerging from it). The book also analyses boundary phenomena and those beyond the doctrine of the Roman Church (theism, libertinism, Jansenism, Quietism).
- E-ISBN-13: 978-83-235-6636-6
- Print-ISBN-13: 978-83-235-6635-9
- Page Count: 468
- Publication Year: 2025
- Language: Polish
Słowo wstępne
Słowo wstępne
(Foreword)
- Author(s):Alina Maria Nowicka-Jeżowa
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:7-9
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:Christianity; ancient culture; performing arts; the Middle Ages; Renaissance; early Modern Era; culture of the First Polish Republic
- Summary/Abstract:The volume explores Polish and European Christian culture from the 15th to the 17th century, presented from the perspective of ancient and early Christian tradition and the dialogue between East and West. The authors examine selected aspects of literature (treatises, apocrypha, sermons, poetry), art and sacred music, rituals in popular culture (songs, music and theatrical spectacles). The publication also discusses spiritual Christian movements (Ignatian and Jesuit spirituality, Carmelite school) and the turning points in culture (dialogue with pagan antiquity in the first centuries and gradual abatement of humanistic tradition, the Council of Trent and the vision of culture emerging from it). The book also analyses boundary phenomena and those beyond the doctrine of the Roman Church (theism, libertinism, Jansenism, Quietism).
- Price: 4.50 €
Chrześcijaństwo w kulturze polskiej i europejskiej doby wczesnonowożytnej. Wybrane zagadnienia
Chrześcijaństwo w kulturze polskiej i europejskiej doby wczesnonowożytnej. Wybrane zagadnienia
(Christianity in Polish and European culture in the early modern period. Selected issues)
- Author(s):Alina Maria Nowicka-Jeżowa, Jerzy Axer, Andrzej Dąbrówka, Hieronim Grala, Andrzej Szostek Mic, Maciej Abramowicz
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:11-23
- No. of Pages:13
- Keywords:Christianity; ancient culture; performing arts; the Middle Ages; Renaissance; early Modern Era; culture of the First Polish Republic
- Summary/Abstract:The volume explores Polish and European Christian culture from the 15th to the 17th century, presented from the perspective of ancient and early Christian tradition and the dialogue between East and West. The authors examine selected aspects of literature (treatises, apocrypha, sermons, poetry), art and sacred music, rituals in popular culture (songs, music and theatrical spectacles). The publication also discusses spiritual Christian movements (Ignatian and Jesuit spirituality, Carmelite school) and the turning points in culture (dialogue with pagan antiquity in the first centuries and gradual abatement of humanistic tradition, the Council of Trent and the vision of culture emerging from it). The book also analyses boundary phenomena and those beyond the doctrine of the Roman Church (theism, libertinism, Jansenism, Quietism).
- Price: 4.50 €
Tradycje biblijne w kulturze europejskiej. Spojrzenie syntetyczne
Tradycje biblijne w kulturze europejskiej. Spojrzenie syntetyczne
(Biblical Traditions in European Culture. A Synthetic Approach)
- Author(s):Marek Starowieyski
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:25-46
- No. of Pages:22
- Keywords:Biblical canon; Cultural influence; Biblical exegesis; European arts; Religious tradition
- Summary/Abstract:The text explores the Bible’s role as both a literary and religious cornerstone, influencing culture, music, and the arts. It examines the evolution of the biblical canon, from the Greek Septuagint to the division of texts between Catholic and Protestant traditions. The author highlights the development of biblical exegesis, from literal to allegorical interpretations, shaping theological thought in early Christianity. The discussion extends to the Bible’s impact on Europe. The Bible also inspired music, from Gregorian chants to oratorios, by composers such as Bach and Handel, and visual arts, including catacomb paintings and medieval church sculptures, as well as literature, from early Christian hymns and medieval theology to Renaissance biblical philology and modern and contemporary art. Ultimately, the work underscores the Bible’s enduring cultural significance, which influenced literature, music, and the visual arts throughout history.
- Price: 4.50 €
Święty Hieronim a kobiety
Święty Hieronim a kobiety
(Saint Jerome and Women)
- Author(s):Bazyli Degórski OSPPE
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:47-56
- No. of Pages:10
- Keywords:Saint Jerome; Women in early Christianity; Female monasticism; Spiritual mentorship; Early Christian monasticism
- Summary/Abstract:The relationship between Saint Jerome and women has often been noted by scholars, though usually concluded with the observation that he was comfortable in female company. This study explores the topic in two parts. The first examines Jerome’s portrayal of women in his hagiographical trilogy about three great hermit monks: Paul of Thebes, Hilarion of Gaza, and Malchus. The second focuses on Jerome as a spiritual guide and mentor to Roman aristocratic women. In his 'Vitae Sanctorum Eremitarum', written throughout his life, Jerome’s attitude towards women evolves - from fear and suspicion in Vita Pauli to admiration for saintly women in 'Vita Hilarionis' and 'Vita Malchi'. Over time, he acknowledges the dignity of women, especially as mothers and promoters of faith. Additionally, Jerome played a crucial role in shaping female monasticism in Rome, guiding aristocratic women like Marcella and Paula. Despite criticism, he defended ascetic life and emphasized the importance of scriptural study for women. His influence extended to the establishment of female monastic communities in both Rome and Bethlehem, making him a key figure in the history of early Christian monasticism.
- Price: 4.50 €
Historia i historiozofia w myśli Świętego Augustyna
Historia i historiozofia w myśli Świętego Augustyna
(History and Historiosphy According to St Augustine)
- Author(s):Maria Chodyko
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:57-75
- No. of Pages:19
- Keywords:St. Augustine; De Civitate Dei; Historiography; Eschatology; Hermeneutics
- Summary/Abstract:The article addresses the classic issue of historiography in St. Augustine’s thought. The concept of time as an object of consciousness for him becomes a tool for historical and metahistorical reflection, enabling the abstraction of history and its examination, organization, and the identification of general patterns in socio-historical phenomena. Self-awareness, gained through the realization of the passage of time, in the philosophical reflection of Augustine is transformed into a means of systematizing and ordering history. The introduction of an eschatological element into history allowed St. Augustine to reject the evaluative perception of history as either a process of decline or renewal. However, he does not exclude viewing the development of civilization as intellectual and moral progress, which he expresses in 'De Civitate Dei'. The introduction of Christ’s Parousia as the final element of history, albeit not belonging to the chronological order, enabled Augustine to reject deterministic thinking, such as millenarianism. A crucial aspect of 'De Civitate Dei' is the ability to hermeneutically interpret literary genres, which is essential for both understanding biblical texts properly and the message of Augustine’s work itself. He clearly demonstrates this in his commentary on the six days of creation in the Book of Genesis, where he explains that the term “day” is an anthropological unit that does not correspond in meaning to time measured from sunrise to sunset.
- Price: 4.50 €
Projekt humanistyczny Kasjodora: "De artibus ac disciplinis liberalium litterarum"
Projekt humanistyczny Kasjodora: "De artibus ac disciplinis liberalium litterarum"
(Cassiodorus’ Humanist Project: 'De artibus ac disciplinis liberalium litterarurm')
- Author(s):Józef Naumowicz
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:77-91
- No. of Pages:15
- Keywords:Cassiodorus; Liberal arts; Vivarium; Institutiones; Medieval education
- Summary/Abstract:After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire (476) and the collapse of the Roman educational system and culture, the earliest attempt to save and revive the liberal arts took place as early as the early sixth century, in Italy, in the Ostrogothic state. The concepts of these arts were presented by Boethius in his textbooks on the four mathematical sciences (the treatises 'De institutione arithmetica' and 'De institutione musica' have survived), as well as in many translations of Greek works on logic, dialectics or philosophy. Cassiodorus cared for the development of these arts when he held major offices at the court of King Theodoric the Great or when he planned to establish a scholarly Christian academy in Rome, and finally when he organised the famous monastic and scholarly centre Vivarium, combined with a significant library, scriptorium or work on making Greek works available to the Latin reader. Cassiodorus presented the humanist program most clearly in the Institutiones, especially in Book II entitled 'De artibus ac disciplinis liberalium litterarum', in which he presented the seven secular sciences and indicated the tools for practicing them. In this way he led to the codification of the seven liberal arts, adopted and developed not only by medieval authors but also in medieval educational systems.
- Price: 4.50 €
Humanistyczne projekty średniowiecza i ich twórcy: Boecjusz, Kasjodor, Dionizy Exiguus
Humanistyczne projekty średniowiecza i ich twórcy: Boecjusz, Kasjodor, Dionizy Exiguus
(Humanist Projects of the Middle Ages and Their Authors: Boethius, Cassiodorus, Dionysius Exiguus)
- Author(s):Maria Chodyko
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:93-110
- No. of Pages:18
- Keywords:Boethius; Cassiodorus; Dionysius Exiguus; Liberal arts; Medieval intellectual tradition
- Summary/Abstract:The text aims to recall three outstanding figures from the transition between eras, who witnessed the end of ancient culture and were entrusted with passing on its vital contents to their medieval successors. Boethius, Cassiodorus, and Dionysius can be called the pedagogues of the barbarians, opening their access to learning, arts, legislation, and chronology that formed the emerging medieval civilization. Boethius's philosophical education allowed him to present a systematic model of reality, whose hierarchical nature can be seen in 'De Consolatione philosphiae', as well as to construct a precise methodology, typology, classification, and definitions of contemporary science. Boethius was a scientific theorist of the liberal arts, while Cassiodorus established the era of the liberal arts and the institutional framework for the intellectual communities of the Middle Ages by creating the Vivarium center and promoting pedagogical writings. Dionysius Exiguus, the creator of the collection of laws called 'Collectiones Dionysianae' and a calendar that became the basis for the Christian era, contributed to shaping the age of tempora christiana. He was also a model of the intellectual personality, fulfilling the Pythagorean ideal of shaping an elite through personal knowledge and effort, rather than through privileges acquired by birth. Their legacy was preserved by a fourth hero of the "Dark Ages”, Benedict of Nursia, who, despite facing failure in organizing his project during his lifetime, left behind a rule that his spiritual successors began to practice a century later.
- Price: 4.50 €
Boecjusza "O pocieszeniu, jakie daje filozofia" jako dzieło literackie i źródło inspiracji. Trzy przekłady metrum VIII księgi II
Boecjusza "O pocieszeniu, jakie daje filozofia" jako dzieło literackie i źródło inspiracji. Trzy przekłady metrum VIII księgi II
(Boethius's ‘The Consolation of Philosophy’ as a literary work and source of inspiration. Three translations of the metre of Book VIII, Chapter II.)
- Author(s):Matylda Paszkiewicz
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:111-114
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Christianity; ancient culture; performing arts; the Middle Ages; Renaissance; early Modern Era; culture of the First Polish Republic
- Summary/Abstract:The volume explores Polish and European Christian culture from the 15th to the 17th century, presented from the perspective of ancient and early Christian tradition and the dialogue between East and West. The authors examine selected aspects of literature (treatises, apocrypha, sermons, poetry), art and sacred music, rituals in popular culture (songs, music and theatrical spectacles). The publication also discusses spiritual Christian movements (Ignatian and Jesuit spirituality, Carmelite school) and the turning points in culture (dialogue with pagan antiquity in the first centuries and gradual abatement of humanistic tradition, the Council of Trent and the vision of culture emerging from it). The book also analyses boundary phenomena and those beyond the doctrine of the Roman Church (theism, libertinism, Jansenism, Quietism).
- Price: 4.50 €
Przestrzeń znacząca akcji scenicznej w liturgii średniowiecza i wczesnej nowożytności
Przestrzeń znacząca akcji scenicznej w liturgii średniowiecza i wczesnej nowożytności
(The Significant Space in the Liturgy of the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period)
- Author(s):Mirosław Lenart
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:115-135
- No. of Pages:21
- Keywords:Liturgy; Sacred space; Medieval theater; Religious performance; Ritual and architecture
- Summary/Abstract:The main goal of the presented text is to acknowledge that the spatial dimension of liturgy does not refer solely to itself, although it is closely related to it. The idea is that through liturgy, space can be discovered because it is created by the Holy Spirit, and its purpose is to introduce man into a new dimension of existence beyond "the theater of this world," whose final act is the Last Judgment. On the other hand, liturgy opens up to reality, which is celebrated by people participating in time and space and, above all, within a specific culture. Therefore, in its analyses, there are naturally connections and comparisons with theater, though these do not fully exhaust the essence of liturgical action, which is examined in a specific setting. The text discusses the city as a liturgical space and the temple, whose interiors were historically used to prepare stage designs referring to salvific events, thus supporting theatrical performances. Additionally, there are known examples of the use of ancient theater spaces for religious-themed performances. Similarly, the emerging Renaissance theater used monastery cloisters for secular stage performances, although originally, these spaces served as settings for scenes strongly connected to the liturgy. Testimonies of lost liturgical theater stage designs can be found in paintings depicting structures that most likely served as backdrops for specific religious performances.
- Price: 4.50 €
Najwcześniejsze włoskie zjawiska teatralno-muzyczne. Zarys wprowadzenia
Najwcześniejsze włoskie zjawiska teatralno-muzyczne. Zarys wprowadzenia
(A Preliminary Outline of the Earliest Italian Music-Theatre Traditions)
- Author(s):Michał S. Sołtysik
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:137-148
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:Italian musical theatre; Intermedii; Renaissance humanism; Early opera; European courts
- Summary/Abstract:Music played an essential role in numerous early modern stage productions. This paper outlines the development of theatrical-musical phenomena on the Italian Peninsula from the late Middle Ages to the early 17th century, highlighting the presence and significance of music in shaping stage performance. From medieval religious dramas such as laude and sacra rappresentazione, to Renaissance intermedii and humanist experiments in courts like those in Ferrara, Mantua, and Florence, the use of music evolved from a ritualistic and communal function into a powerful dramatic and emotional tool. Special attention is given to the gradual emergence of sung drama, which eventually led to the birth of opera. Key milestones include Andrea Gabrieli’s choral compositions for 'Edipo tiranno' (1585), the elaborate intermedii for 'La pellegrina' (1589), and the first fully sung theatrical works in Florence and Rome around 1600. The study also reflects on the philosophical motivations of Renaissance scholars, whose fascination with antiquity and humanist ideals deeply shaped the aesthetics of musical theatre. Finally, the paper briefly mentions the early transplantation of Italian opera to the Polish court under Prince Władysław Vasa, underscoring the swift international dissemination of this new art form.
- Price: 4.50 €
Kult wizerunków maryjnych w Rzeczypospolitej i jego specyfika na tle Europy
Kult wizerunków maryjnych w Rzeczypospolitej i jego specyfika na tle Europy
(Marian Image Cult in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Its European Contextual Specificity)
- Author(s):Michał Janocha
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:149-176
- No. of Pages:28
- Keywords:Marian devotion; Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; Baroque spirituality; Miraculous images; Image coronation
- Summary/Abstract:The term “Rzeczpospolita” used in the title situates this study within the historical period between the Union of Lublin (1569) and the partitions of Poland, a time coinciding with the flourishing of the Baroque era in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Baroque culture shaped not only the arts, literature, and music but also religious perception and devotional practices. Following the triumph over Protestantism, especially under Sigismund III Vasa, Marian devotion intensified and became a defining feature of religious life. This article focuses on the Marian dimension of Baroque spirituality, particularly the veneration of miraculous images across Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Uniate churches. We explore the unique characteristics of Polish Marian imagery and devotion, such as the prevalence of paintings over sculptures, icon-inspired forms, and the widespread tradition of adorning images with metal dresses and crowns. A significant phenomenon is the popularity of Częstochowa and Salus Populi Romani types, and the frequent coronations of Marian images, culminating in the first papal coronation outside Italy in 1717. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth emerges as a culturally hybrid space where Marian devotion transcended ethnic and denominational boundaries, creating a shared religious landscape in a multiethnic, multiconfessional state.
- Price: 4.50 €
„Ego e Philologia Philosophiam feci”. Erazm wobec dziedzictwa kulturowego antyku
„Ego e Philologia Philosophiam feci”. Erazm wobec dziedzictwa kulturowego antyku
('Ego e Philologia Philosophiam feci'. Erasmus of Rotterdam and the Cultural Heritage of Antiquity)
- Author(s):Justyna Dąbkowska-Kujko
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:177-202
- No. of Pages:26
- Keywords:Erasmus of Rotterdam; Literary imitation; Intertextuality; Humanism; Ancient heritage
- Summary/Abstract:The article aims to showcase, using selected works of Erasmus (primarily his 'Lingua'), both the strategies of imitating ancient models and the elements that clearly extended beyond the framework of literary imitation. It discusses how the humanist employed ancient references in composing his own works; how he reinterpreted and semantically transformed them; and, finally, how – by drawing on the legacy of the past – he expanded the conceptual repertoire, constructed new systems of meaning, built associative structures or spirals, and multiplied images that were both aesthetically appealing and intellectually dense, with distinct philosophical implications. The compilatory, collective, and compendial nature of many of Erasmus’ works demonstrates that they gathered and arranged selected material from various authors’ writings. This material was designed as an entirely new whole, inviting reflection on the terms proposed by the author. Erasmus’ writings reveal a flexible approach to source material in terms of language, composition, and meaning. From phrases borrowed from foreign works or distant yet recognizable literary allusions, the humanist constructed the intertextual “speech” of his works. In these, expressions long established as proverbs or exempla – often dominated by colloquial language, allusions, and quotations – broaden the scope of expression and open Erasmus’ distinctive encyclopedism to a dialogue with the vast universe of human thought, emotions, and ingenuity. At the same time, they document the enduring relevance of the ancient cultural heritage within the realm of Christian culture.
- Price: 4.50 €
"Droga na Górę Karmel" Świętego Jana od Krzyża jako traktat o sztuce kaznodziejskiej
"Droga na Górę Karmel" Świętego Jana od Krzyża jako traktat o sztuce kaznodziejskiej
('Ascent of Mount Carmel' of St John of the Cross as the Treatise on the Art of Sermons)
- Author(s):Maria Chodyko
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:203-222
- No. of Pages:20
- Keywords:John of the Cross; Religious art; Mystical theology; Council of Trent; Renaissance spirituality
- Summary/Abstract:John of the Cross re-evaluated religious art according to the directives of the Council of Trent and implemented it within his order. In his writings, art appeared as a means of unification with God, a goal also served by artistic expression. In his doctrine, religious art should not only draw from the artist’s talent but also shape it. Furthermore, John accepted the artistic sovereignty of Western sacred art, where the artist has decisive control over style and composition, thus significantly influencing the perception of the work. He argued that art reflects individual characteristics of both the artist and the patron, showcasing subjective and arbitrary elements. Artistic freedom can sometimes conflict with theological content, a fact John accepted as axiomatic to creativity. He neither fully embraced nor criticized artistic freedom, instead illustrating its strengths and weaknesses. He included artistic representations and religious liturgies as means leading to mature faith. Overall, John of the Cross's mystical and artistic doctrine integrates the aesthetics of the soul's journey toward God, positioning himself within the broader context of Renaissance spirituality and reform movements. His work stands as a significant contribution to modern Christianity, advocating for a profound transformation through the interplay of art.
- Price: 4.50 €
Pismo Święte – ale które? Erazm z Rotterdamu, grecki tekst Nowego Testamentu i Wulgata a polskie przekłady Biblii w XVI wieku
Pismo Święte – ale które? Erazm z Rotterdamu, grecki tekst Nowego Testamentu i Wulgata a polskie przekłady Biblii w XVI wieku
(The Holy Scripture – But Which One? Erasmus of Rotterdam, the Greek Text of the New Testament, and the Vulgate vs. Polish Bible Translations in the 16th Century)
- Author(s):Tadeusz Rubik
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:223-247
- No. of Pages:25
- Keywords:Biblical philology; Erasmus of Rotterdam; Vulgate; Polish Bible translations; Confessionalization
- Summary/Abstract:The chapter is devoted to the confessional controversy in the 16th century Poland-Lithuania regarding biblical philology in the context of the legitimacy, authority or authenticity of the Greek New Testament and the Latin version of the Vulgate. After a brief characterization of Erasmus Desiderius’ biblical philology ('NovumInstrumentum' / 'Testamentum and Annotationes'), the process of subordinating humanistic biblical philology to the needs of divided Christian denominations (viz. its confessionalization) is discussed. This process culminated in the late 16th and early 17th centuries with the authoritative, “post-Tridentine” edition of the Catholic Vulgate and Erasmus' Greek text gaining the status of textus receptus among many Protestants. An analysis of selected Gospel verses from 16th-century Polish translations leads to the conclusion that, although the Catholic preference for the authentic Latin text increased over time, the post-Tridentine translations also show the influence of Greek New Testament and Erasmus’ humanistic philology.
- Price: 4.50 €
Między Koniecznością a Poezją. Parafrazy psalmów w XVI wieku
Między Koniecznością a Poezją. Parafrazy psalmów w XVI wieku
(Between Necessity and Poetry. Polish Paraphrases of Psalms in the 16th Century)
- Author(s):Agata Starownik
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:249-259
- No. of Pages:11
- Keywords:Psalm paraphrases; Jan Kochanowski; Polish Renaissance literaturę; Biblical translation; Religious poetry
- Summary/Abstract:The paper explores the phenomenon of psalm paraphrases in the 16th century, discussed on the example of Jan Kochanowski’s 'Psałterz Dawidów' and other Polish paraphrases: Mikołaj Rej’s 'Psałterz Dawidów' and Jakub Lubelczyk’s 'Psałterz Dawida'. First, the biblical paraphrase is defined and its relation to the translation is identified and its characteristics are indicated. Reference is made to the views of scholars, confronted with the metatexts accompanying the paraphrases: title pages, engravings, dedications, prefaces and Kochanowski’s letter to Stanisław Fogelweder. The paraphrases of Psalm 19 (18) as rendered by Kochanowski, Rej and Lubelczyk are then compared. They are juxtaposed with their contexts – including Buchanan's paraphrase, the Brest Bible and the Vulgate, and John Calvin’s commentary on the Book of Psalms. The juxtaposition makes it possible to discern the characteristic elements of Kochanowski’s text, in this case the beauty of the cosmos as the work of God – the Supreme Artist. At the same time, a method of extracting meaning from the Renaissance psalmic paraphrase is presented.
- Price: 4.50 €
W co wierzył Jan z Czarnolasu? Obraz Boga i tradycje teologiczne w twórczości Jana Kochanowskiego
W co wierzył Jan z Czarnolasu? Obraz Boga i tradycje teologiczne w twórczości Jana Kochanowskiego
(What did Jan of Czarnolas believe in? The image of God and theological traditions in the works of Jan Kochanowski)
- Author(s):Agata Starownik
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:261-278
- No. of Pages:18
- Keywords:Jan Kochanowski; Psałterz Dawidów; Confessionalism; Biblical allegory; Religious humanism
- Summary/Abstract:The paper explores the problem of the confessional characterisation of Jan Kochanowski’s 'Psałterz Dawidów' as an example of poetic biblical paraphrase and as a work by this poet, ideologically linked with his other texts. In order to clarify this issue, the author examines how Kochanowski uses the tradition of allegorical reading of the psalms. The poet’s psalms are seen against the background of other translations and paraphrases of the psalms and compared with scholars’ statements on the supra-confessionality of the image of God in 'Psałterz'. Research questions that are important in considering the confessional meaning of Kochanowski’s works are also identified. The exegetical traditions and ideological currents that influenced his thinking about God and the Word of God are marked. A comparison is then made between Kochanowski’s psalm passages related in tradition to Christ and the Church and that of Jakub Lubelczyk, Mikołaj Rej, George Buchanan, Ioannes Campensis, Sante Pagnini, John Calvin, Jan Leopolita and the translators of the Brest Bible. The analysis shows that, although the poet maintains distance from denominational controversies, he is immersed in them, which corresponds to the time in which he lived, marked by the confessionalisation of humanism.
- Price: 4.50 €
"Christianitas" i "humanitas" kultury renesansowej. Na przykładzie Padwy czasów Jana Kochanowskiego
"Christianitas" i "humanitas" kultury renesansowej. Na przykładzie Padwy czasów Jana Kochanowskiego
('Christianitas' and 'Humanitas' in the Renaissance Culture. The Example of Padua in Jan Kochanowski’s Era)
- Author(s):Alina Maria Nowicka-Jeżowa
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:279-298
- No. of Pages:20
- Keywords:Jan Kochanowski; Renaissance humanism; University of Padua; Religious pluralism; Christianitas and Humanitas
- Summary/Abstract:The author presents the religious attitudes of intellectuals active in the environment of the University of Padua in the mid-16th century: humanists with non-denominational tendencies, reformist activists loyal to papal Rome, supporters of the Tridentine reforms, as well as the so-called Italian Evangelicals, radical theologians moving towards Unitarianism, and libertines. Against this backdrop, the article traces the formation of Jan Kochanowski’s religious beliefs during his studies in Padua (1552–1559) and his subsequent strategy of coexistence with both Catholic and Protestant figures in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The analysis focuses on his religious-themed works ('Psalter', 'Carmina') and the poet’s statements on religious conflicts and common religiosity. The article engages in a discussion with long-established generalizations in the scholarly literature regarding Jan Kochanowski’s religious beliefs.
- Price: 4.50 €
Jezuici w Rzeczypospolitej potrydenckiej. Prezentacja źródeł Rzymskiego Archiwum Towarzystwa Jezusowego
Jezuici w Rzeczypospolitej potrydenckiej. Prezentacja źródeł Rzymskiego Archiwum Towarzystwa Jezusowego
(Jesuits in the Post-Tridentine Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: Presentation of the Sources of the Jesuit Roman Archives)
- Author(s):Robert Danieluk
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:299-321
- No. of Pages:23
- Keywords:Jesuits; Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; Archival documents; Jesuit Roman Archives; Historical sources
- Summary/Abstract:The purpose of the article is to introduce documents preserved in the Jesuit Roman Archives which concern the presence and activities of the Jesuits in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth starting from their arrival there in 1564. The first part focuses on the most important events and the relevant literature. It also contains a general presentation of the archives. The second and the main part of the essay is a review of some documents authored by Polish Jesuits or referring to their activities in their homeland. The main typologies of the archival sources are presented here with a few specific examples: correspondence, including the "annual letters" and materials for the Order’s history, the annual and three-year catalogues, obituaries, formulae of the final religious vows, and finally, other documents, mostly those concerning legal and financial matters. The aim of this presentation is to show how these documentary resources can be used while studying various topics and facing several questions.
- Price: 4.50 €
Spotkania chrześcijaństwa Wschodu i Zachodu w Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodów. Część 1. Wyznanie propaństwowe – prawosławie w monarchii jagiellońskiej wobec wyzwań politycznych
Spotkania chrześcijaństwa Wschodu i Zachodu w Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodów. Część 1. Wyznanie propaństwowe – prawosławie w monarchii jagiellońskiej wobec wyzwań politycznych
(Meetings of Eastern and Western Christianity in the Polish-Lithuanian. Part 1: Pro-state Confession – Orthodoxy in the Jagiellonian Monarchy in the Face of Political Challenges)
- Author(s):Hieronim Grala
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:323-330
- No. of Pages:8
- Keywords:Orthodoxy; Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; Jagiellonian dynasty; Religious politics; Moscow-Lithuania relations
- Summary/Abstract:In the 16th century, relations between Orthodox believers in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Moscow were a key element of regional politics. Moscow, under the pretext of defending Orthodoxy, used religious rhetoric to justify its aggression against Lithuania. However, the Orthodox elite of the GDL remained loyal to the Jagiellonian dynasty. Orthodox hierarchs actively supported the state, repelling Moscow’s claims and engaging in diplomacy and intelligence. The Ruthenian nobility, despite being Orthodox, played a crucial role in defending their homeland against Moscow, as exemplified by prominent commanders like Konstanty Ostrogski. Orthodox dignitaries held high offices and participated in politics without succumbing to Moscow’s propaganda. The Jagiellonian policy favored the equal status of Orthodox believers, reflected in decisions by Sigismund I and Sigismund II Augustus. However, the Union of Lublin (1569) introduced new challenges – Polonization, the Reformation, and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. The establishment of the Moscow Patriarchate intensified fears of religious expansion, forcing Orthodox communities to seek reforms and strengthen their own ecclesiastical structures within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
- Price: 4.50 €
Spotkania chrześcijaństwa Wschodu i Zachodu w Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodów. Część 2. W poszukiwaniu „nowej unii” – dole i niedole prawosławia w epoce Wazów
Spotkania chrześcijaństwa Wschodu i Zachodu w Rzeczypospolitej Obojga Narodów. Część 2. W poszukiwaniu „nowej unii” – dole i niedole prawosławia w epoce Wazów
(Meetings of Eastern and Western Christianity in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Part 2. In Search of a 'New Union' – The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Orthodoxy in the Era of the Vasa Dynasty)
- Author(s):Hieronim Grala
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:331-342
- No. of Pages:12
- Keywords:Union of Brest; Orthodox Church; Vasa dynasty; Kyiv Metropolis; Cossacs
- Summary/Abstract:The situation of the Orthodox Church in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the reign of the Vasa dynasty was shaped by two key events with profound socio-political implications: the establishment of the Moscow Patriarchate in 1589 and the Union of Brest in 1596, which placed the institutional “Greek Church” under the authority of the Holy See. The acceptance of Moscow’s new patriarchal status by Eastern Christian hierarchs elevated its clergy, posing a challenge to the historical rights of the Kyiv Metropolis. This thwarted ambitions of creating a separate Orthodox patriarchate within the Commonwealth, despite earlier negotiations involving both Constantinople and Rome. The Union of Brest failed to meet the expectations of its supporters due to resistance from Orthodox clergy, influential nobles, and Protestant factions wary of Catholic political dominance. Tensions escalated in 1620 with Patriarch Theophanes of Jerusalem’s unauthorized consecration of Orthodox bishops in Kyiv, a move that reinforced Cossack involvement in religious affairs. Later, King Władysław IV sought reconciliation, supporting figures like Metropolitan Petro Mohyla. However, both Rome and the increasingly autonomous Cossacks obstructed these efforts. The situation drastically changed with the Chmielnicki Uprising (1648) and Moscow’s intervention, culminating in the 1686 transfer of the Kyiv Metropolis to Moscow’s jurisdiction. This marked a turning point, leading many Ruthenian clergy in the Commonwealth to embrace the Union as a means of preserving religious and political identity.
- Price: 4.50 €
Ogrom niebios i Boska wszechmoc. Relacje między astronomią i teologią w świetle staropolskiej refleksji o wielości światów
Ogrom niebios i Boska wszechmoc. Relacje między astronomią i teologią w świetle staropolskiej refleksji o wielości światów
(The Vastness of the Heavens and Divine Omnipotence: Relations Between Astronomy and Theology in the Light of Old Polish Reflections on the Plurality of Worlds)
- Author(s):Grzegorz Raubo
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:343-365
- No. of Pages:23
- Keywords:Plurality of worlds; Astronomy and theology; Old Polish philosophy; Divine omnipotence; Cosmological theories
- Summary/Abstract:The study explores the relationship between astronomy and theology in discussions on the plurality of worlds in the Old Polish Period. The analyzed source material confirms that Old Polish reflections align with Western European discourse on the subject, which was scientifically grounded in Aristotelianism (rejecting the concept), as well as in heliocentric cosmology and Cartesian vortex theory (supporting it). The theological aspects of the debate were associated with the idea of divine omniscience and the principle of the fullness of creation. The study examines arguments supporting the probability of multiple worlds and those rejecting this possibility. The discussion also considers the confessional determinants of Polish philosophers, scholars, and writers, the forms of their statements on the plurality of worlds, and the social scope in which these ideas were disseminated.
- Price: 4.50 €
Eschatologiczne horyzonty kultury sarmackiej
Eschatologiczne horyzonty kultury sarmackiej
(Eschatological Horizons of Sarmatian Culture)
- Author(s):Alina Maria Nowicka-Jeżowa
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:367-390
- No. of Pages:24
- Keywords:Sarmatian culture; Eschatology; Baroque literaturę; Death and funeral rites; Catholic doctrine
- Summary/Abstract:The article explores the literature of the mature and late Baroque period, reflecting on the collective experience of Catholic doctrines concerning the Last Things (de novissimis) and the value system shaped by them. The first part examines funeral rites (pompa funebris) as spectacles like the Baroque opera, combined visual, musical, and literary elements while demonstrating religious, landowning, and chivalric ideals that unified the noble society. The second part highlights the dual ideological and aesthetic nature of death representations – both in a realistic, even naturalistic, convention and within a metaphysical discourse [in the poetics of metaphysical experience, if you prefer]. The third section focuses on the axiological contexts of meditations on death, illustrating the construction of a value system that bound the Sarmatian community together, as well as its crisis, manifested in collective depression and even nihilism. The article aims to interpret the unique features of Sarmatian culture, characterized by its enduring presence in Polish literature and art.
- Price: 4.50 €
Horyzonty świeckie i eschatologiczne sarmatyzmu. Wizerunk człowieka umierającego i Konterfekt człowieka umierającego Pawła Simplicjana
Horyzonty świeckie i eschatologiczne sarmatyzmu. Wizerunk człowieka umierającego i Konterfekt człowieka umierającego Pawła Simplicjana
(The secular and eschatological horizons of Sarmatism. ‘The Image of a Dying Man’ and ‘The Portrait of a Dying Man’ by Paweł Simplicjan)
- Author(s):Matylda Paszkiewicz
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:391-394
- No. of Pages:4
- Keywords:Christianity; ancient culture; performing arts; the Middle Ages; Renaissance; early Modern Era; culture of the First Polish Republic
- Summary/Abstract:The volume explores Polish and European Christian culture from the 15th to the 17th century, presented from the perspective of ancient and early Christian tradition and the dialogue between East and West. The authors examine selected aspects of literature (treatises, apocrypha, sermons, poetry), art and sacred music, rituals in popular culture (songs, music and theatrical spectacles). The publication also discusses spiritual Christian movements (Ignatian and Jesuit spirituality, Carmelite school) and the turning points in culture (dialogue with pagan antiquity in the first centuries and gradual abatement of humanistic tradition, the Council of Trent and the vision of culture emerging from it). The book also analyses boundary phenomena and those beyond the doctrine of the Roman Church (theism, libertinism, Jansenism, Quietism).
- Price: 4.50 €
Libertynizm w powieści francuskiej XVIII wieku
Libertynizm w powieści francuskiej XVIII wieku
(Libertinism in the French 18 th Century Novel)
- Author(s):Maciej Abramowicz
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:395-405
- No. of Pages:11
- Keywords:Libertinism; Anti-clericalism; Eroticism in literaturę; 18th-century French novel; Materialism and atheism
- Summary/Abstract:Libertinism, a cultural and philosophical movement spanning from the 16th to the 19th century, challenged societal, religious, and intellectual constraints, emphasizing reason and rejecting dogmas. It is distinguished by its strong anti-Christian and anti-clerical elements, as well as its association with sexual permissiveness. While rooted in earlier philosophical ideas from figures like Lucretius and Epicurus, libertinism flourished in 17th-century France, where it became tied to intellectual circles. This movement critiqued religious authority, often with an atheistic or materialist perspective. In the 18th century, libertinism shifted toward a focus on eroticism, with works by authors such as Voltaire, Diderot, and de Sade exploring human desires beyond moral and religious constraints. De Sade, in particular, pushed libertinism to its extremes, developing a philosophy where pleasure and cruelty became central, and the existence of a divine creator was rejected. His works envisioned a universe indifferent to human suffering, where sexuality was detached from emotional connection and aimed solely at individual gratification. Ultimately, libertinism contributed to the decline of traditional moral values, leaving behind a nihilistic worldview focused on personal freedom at the expense of societal norms.
- Price: 4.50 €
Cenzura w okresie reżimu Napoleona
Cenzura w okresie reżimu Napoleona
(Censorship during Napoleon's regime)
- Author(s):Michał Goworowski
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:407-409
- No. of Pages:3
- Keywords:Christianity; ancient culture; performing arts; the Middle Ages; Renaissance; early Modern Era; culture of the First Polish Republic
- Summary/Abstract:The volume explores Polish and European Christian culture from the 15th to the 17th century, presented from the perspective of ancient and early Christian tradition and the dialogue between East and West. The authors examine selected aspects of literature (treatises, apocrypha, sermons, poetry), art and sacred music, rituals in popular culture (songs, music and theatrical spectacles). The publication also discusses spiritual Christian movements (Ignatian and Jesuit spirituality, Carmelite school) and the turning points in culture (dialogue with pagan antiquity in the first centuries and gradual abatement of humanistic tradition, the Council of Trent and the vision of culture emerging from it). The book also analyses boundary phenomena and those beyond the doctrine of the Roman Church (theism, libertinism, Jansenism, Quietism).
- Price: 4.50 €
Pamięć miasta utraconego. Misteryjna semantyka Wilna w "Dziadach" Adama Mickiewicza
Pamięć miasta utraconego. Misteryjna semantyka Wilna w "Dziadach" Adama Mickiewicza
(Memory of a City Lost: The Mystery-Play Semantics of Vilnius in Adam Mickiewicz’s 'Forefathers’ Eve')
- Author(s):Maria Kalinowska
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:411-431
- No. of Pages:21
- Keywords:Adam Mickiewicz; Forefathers’ Eve; Mystery-play; Geopoetics; Romantic drama
- Summary/Abstract:There is an indissoluble connection between Part III of 'Forefathers’ Eve' and Vilnius where the drama unfolds. 'Forefathers’ Eve' is a text of the city, just as the city is a text of Forefathers’ Eve. These ties between the city and Mickiewicz’s drama pose a hermeneutic and interpretational challenge for scholars studying the Romantic period. The author of this paper invokes various interpretations of Vilnius, including semiotics of the city and geopoetics. Special inspiration for this research comes from Mieczysław Limanowski’s works in cultural studies. A geology professor and co-founder of the Reduta Theatre, he used the category of “mystery-play spirit” to present an interpretation of the text on Vilnius that harmonises with the vision of Vilnius in Part III of 'Forefathers’ Eve'. As in the historical mystery-play theatre, events unfold simultaneously here, taking place in different places at the same time, but are bound by the linear development of the main theme: the fate of the prisoners and their martyrdom, and, in a theatrical sense, the participation of the audience/witnesses who are aware of events on the city’s stage.
- Price: 4.50 €
Wskazówki bibliograficzne
Wskazówki bibliograficzne
(Bibliographic references)
- Author(s):Alina Maria Nowicka-Jeżowa, Maria Chodyko
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:433-455
- No. of Pages:23
- Price: 4.50 €
Indeks
Indeks
(Index)
- Author(s):Alina Maria Nowicka-Jeżowa, Maria Chodyko
- Language:Polish
- Subject(s):Christian Theology and Religion, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Polish Literature, Theory of Literature
- Page Range:457-467
- No. of Pages:11
- Price: 4.50 €
