Published : 2019-12-27

The Cult of Saints and the Good of the State

Medieval Patriotism?

Abstract

It was ancient times that saw the emergence of patriotism. Even if it owes its origin to classical antiquity, some manifestations of patriotism can be observed in the Old Testament. Patriotism, in its today’s understanding is believed to have originated no sooner than the formation of nations had begun to take place. Yet, the fundamental concept of  patriotism was clearly understood by the  elites much earlier. The chroniclers would use the term patria carrying positive connotations contextualizing heroes developing strong bonds with the country they loved and cared for. According to B. Zientara, the medieval sense of national consciousness was considerably enhanced by the cult of national saints widely spreading among social circles. Relics and objects in possession of the saints became symbols shaping both religious and national values. Consequently in an attempt to secure the abundance of God’s grace, one of the paramount roles adopted by medieval rulers was gathering increasing numbers of relics. As evidenced by the source texts and specialist literature review, the saints played multiple key roles in building life of the medieval country. Their relics served as the foundation for forming the ideologies of numerous political communities the saints co-created and the character of which they highly influenced. Such prominence of the cult and intercession of the saints pleading with God for the country, became a sine qua non of its society’s well-being, prosperity as well as increasing and maintaining peace, as in case of war there was always a safety resort of the patron saints. In such contexts, where politics was inextricably intertwined with religion, the cult of saints and their intercession in either thanksgivings or supplications, made the very prayers considered as significant manifestations of patriotism of that times.

Keywords:

hagiography, cult, saints, the Middle Ages, patriotism



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Kowalska-Pietrzak, A. (2019). The Cult of Saints and the Good of the State: Medieval Patriotism?. Biografistyka Pedagogiczna, 4(1), 35–51. https://doi.org/10.36578/bp.2019.04.13

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"Biografistyka Pedagogiczna" received funding for the years 2022-2024 from the funds of the Minister of Education and Science under the programme „Rozwój Czasopism Naukowych”.

Project duration: 2023-2024.

The amount of co-financing is 65 992,00 PLN

Contract number: RCN/SP/0434/2021/1