Chrystian – biskup Prus i jego dzieło w kontekście cysterskiej misji chrystianizacyjnej

This article describes the role of Bishop Christian in the evangelization of the Prussians. Christian – a Cistercian monk continued his mission of converting Prussia to Christianity from Pomezania, Warmia and Lubawa, which began in 1207. Christian as Bishop of Prussia in agreement with the Pomeranian princes and Danish king Valdemar II pursued the policy of a peaceful mission, and it is also possible that he tried to subjugate the lands where he succeeded to the Holy See. Proof of the tribute paid to the Pope by the Prussian lands - terra Lubavia and terra Lansania, is provided by two bulls of 1216, in which the representatives of these lands after a prior agreement give themselves over to the care of the papacy. After 1216 the situation became increasingly difficult. There was a retaliatory action against the pagan regions of Prussia. Christian tried to organize with the Pope a crusade against the Prussians. Despite several military expeditions, they did not achieve much success. It was only after the arrival of the Teutonic Order who used Christian’s abduction and imprisonment by Prussian Sambians that the lands of the pagans were successfully conquered. After being freed, Christian tried to oppose the actions of the knights of the Teutonic Order, siding with the duke of Pomerania Swietopełk who was fighting against them and supporting the Prussian uprising of 1242–1249.