Poland marks 1,050 years of Christianity
PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk
15.04.2016 14:56
President Andrzej Duda said on Friday that the adoption of Christianity by Polish ruler Mieszko I 1,050 years ago was the single most important event in Poland’s history.
Andrzej Duda. Photo: PAP/Jakub Kaczmarczyk
Duda was speaking at a special joint session of both chambers of the Polish parliament - the central event of celebrations marking the 1,050th anniversary of Christianity in this country.
The joint body, known as the National Assembly, met in Poznań, western Poland, a city considered to be the cradle of Polish statehood. It was the first such meeting to be held outside Warsaw.
"The baptism of Mieszko I is the most important event in the whole history of the Polish state and nation (...). That decision by our first historical ruler decided the whole, later future of our country," Duda said.
He added that the adoption of Christianity was key in shaping a Polish national identity.
“We said then that we are ready to build a nation and… our own state, to create it, defend it, and when necessary die for it.”
The anniversary events were attended by top Polish politicians, diplomats and senior church officials. (pk)
Source: PAP