St. Stanislaus of Krakow
1030-1079
π
Feast Day: May 8
π Life Timeline
1030
Born in c. 1030 AD, Poland
1030
Born Stanislaus Szczepanowski c
1072
hedral and later chaplain to Prince Casimir I
1079
d oppression of the Church
1253
slaus was buried in Wawel Cathedral
1079
Died β April 11, 1079 AD, Blonie, Poland (martyred)
1253
Canonized β 1253 by Pope Innocent IV
β Biography
Born Stanislaus Szczepanowski c.1030 near Krakow, Poland. Educated at Gnesen and Paris. Appointed canon of Krakow cathedral and later chaplain to Prince Casimir I. In 1072 he was raised to Bishop of Krakow. Known for his charity to the poor and reform of the clergy. Confronted King Boleslaus II the Bold over the king's tyrannical rule, adultery, and oppression of the Church. At a royal banquet in 1079, Stanislaus publicly excommunicated Boleslaus for his sins. Enraged, the king drew his sword and struck the bishop four times, killing him at the altar of his own cathedral in Krakow. The king fled into exile. The miracle of the 'Stanislaus wound'βa mark on the king's sword hilt in the shape of the bishop's woundβwas said to appear whenever the king lied. The body of Stanislaus was buried in Wawel Cathedral. Canonized in 1253 by Innocent IV. Patron of Poland, bishops, and those suffering under tyrants. He was martyred by being slain by King BolesΕaw the Bold during Mass at his own cathedral in KrakΓ³w in 1079, for condemning the king's sins.
π‘ Patronage
Patron of: Poland, rulers, politicians, those opposing tyranny, and those who suffer for speaking truth to power.
π¬ Words of the Saint
I cannot bless a king who curses God.
π Key Facts
Born
c. 1030 AD, Poland
Died
April 11, 1079 AD, Blonie, Poland (martyred)
Feast Day
May 8
Canonized
1253 by Pope Innocent IV
π Legacy
Stanislaus's martyrdom became a symbol of the Church's independence from secular power. His story is invoked whenever clergy confront corrupt leaders. He is one of Poland's national saints.
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