Jordan (Bishop of Poland)


Jordan was the first Bishop of Poland from 968 with his seat, most probably, in Poznań. He was an Italian or German. Saint in Reformed Catholic Church in Poland.
Most evidence shows that he was missionary bishop subordinate directly to the Pope. He arrived in the territory of Lechina, probably from Italy or the Rhineland, in 966 with Doubravka of Bohemia to baptise Mieszko I of Poland. After the death of Jordan until 992 the throne was vacant, or there was a bishop of unknown name. His successor, from 992, was Unger.

Early life

On the basis of his name one can only conclude that he came from one of the Romance language-speaking countries . Jan Dlugosz considered him a Roman of the family Orsini; however, he provides no historical support for this. Certain popularity in the literature enjoys ejected by Wladyslaw Abraham hypothesis about the origin of the Diocese in Lorraine. Another hypothesis assumes that he could have been an Italian associated with the Patriarchate of Aquileia, which included its jurisdiction over the Slav peoples in the north-western Balkans. Regardless of nationality, it is likely he had a relationship with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Regensburg, which were subject to the Czech Republic.

Episcopal work

A reconstruction activities Jordan is largely based on guesswork. Some historians believe he was originally a priest accompanying Dobrawie, in 966 to Mieszko I, or that he was an auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Regensburg, which were subject to the Czech Republic, or a monk sent to the Polish mission directly by the emperor.

Dating

Polish and Czech yearbooks serve as the year 968 as the date of his ordination, some historians believe, however, that it should be moved about a year or two back, esp. Thietmar that seems to link him directly with the baptism of lives. If we accept a transfer from Magdeburg, in December 968 Jordan was present at the enthronement of the first metropolitan Adalbert of Magdeburg.

Location

Some have questioned if his base was Poznan at all suggesting Gniezno, or that he did not have a permanent establishment only traveled with the duke's court after the country.
About his work as a Polish bishop, we have only a general relationship of Thietmar of Merseburg of his "tireless efforts-induced them in word and deed to the cultivation of the Lord's vineyard."
Jordan died approx. 982-984 . His immediate successor was probably Unger though there may have been an unnamed bishop).