CHRISTIAN OF OLIVA

'Christian of Oliva', 'Christian of Prussia', () (died 1245) was the first Bishop of Prussia.
Before being appointed as bishop, he was a Cistercian monk of the monastery of Oliva (Oliwa) at the Baltic Sea (near Gdańsk) which was founded in 1178.
In 1209, Christian was commissioned by Pope Innocent III to be responsible for the Prussian missions between the Rivers Vistula and Memel, which had been begun by Abbot Godfrey of Łękno, and the monk Philip in 1207. He was appointed bishop in 1212. Three years later, he went to Rome in order to report to the Pope on the condition and prospects of his mission, and was consecrated first Bishop of Prussia.
Christian later created the Order of Dobrzyń.
From 1233-39, Christian was held captive by pagan Prussians, and freed in trade for five other hostages who then in turn were released for a ransom of 800 Marks, granted to him by Pope Gregory IX.
In 1243, the Papal legate William of Modena divided Prussia into four bishoprics

★ bishopric of Kulmerland (Chelmno Land, Ziemia Chelminska)

★ bishopric of Pomesania

★ bishopric of Warmia (Ermland)

★ bishopric of Samland (Sambia)
under the archbishopric of Riga. Christian was supposed to choose one of them, but did not agree to the division, and died before the conflict was solved.

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External links

External links

★ Article in Catholic Encyclopedia at newadvent.org