Historical calendar – the anniversary of the beginning of the siege of the monastery in Jasna Góra by Russian troops. The reinforcements were defended by the Moscow Confederates of Barcelona.
Today in our calendar, we will look at a little celebrated past associated with the celebrated monastery.
The second defence of Jasna Góra is linked to the Bar Confederation. Bar Confederation was tied in Bara on 29 February 1768. The Russian authorities in the Republic of Poland were opposed and the attitude of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski succumbed. The main motto was “faith and freedom”. In early March, armed troops of the Bar confederation began forming.
An crucial aspect of the confederation was the defence of the sacred Catholic faith. For Poles 1 of the most crucial symbols of religion was the Jasna Góra monastery. As early as October 1768, Confederates referred to themselves as guardians of the sanctuary in the "Substitution Act".
The monastery had spiritual significance, but besides – nevertheless crucial in the realities of war – political significance. It was wondered if and if so, how to occupy Jasna Góra. any Confederates wanted to make the monastery the seat of the leaders of the Bar Confederacy and a convenient base for the military. Not everyone agreed to this concept, indicating that the Russians would attack this holy place.
Interestingly, the Russians hoped that the Confederates would take Jasna Góra. This would let them to environment the monastery and knock out – as they thought – a large part of Confederate troops. This was to be an easier solution than pursuing tiny Confederate troops throughout the Republic. In addition, it would be a good excuse to rob valuables stored in the sanctuary.
In the second half of 1770, however, it was increasingly clear that the Russians would sooner or later occupy the monastery, whether the Confederates would get it or not. King Stanislaw August Poniatowski was informed of the danger, but this 1 reserved that if the monastery remained neutral, no 1 would attack it.
They themselves tried to keep this neutrality. all Catholic who declared his desire to pray and visit the holy image of Our woman of Czestochowa was allowed into the monastery. There were no (then as well as before) innovators entering Jasna Góra.
Bar Confederates first appeared on Jasna Góra in early 1769. Marshal of Wielkopolska Ignacy Skarbek Malczewski with his branch announced the seizure of the monastery and tried to convince the Paulins to join the Confederacy. erstwhile the Russians learned about the business of the monastery by Poles, they moved to Jasna Góra. Confederates, despite having the advantage, were broken by the Russians in early February. In the following months, Poles tried to enter the monastery respective more times, but each time they failed to stay there for longer.
The situation changed in September 1770. On 9 September 1770 Kazimierz Pulaski and his troops stood at Jasna Góra. Like another Confederates earlier, Pulaski asked for the chance to enter the sanctuary so that he could hear the Holy Mass. Paulini agreed.
Two days later, Pulaski, utilizing the confusion at the monastery gate, brought his people into the sanctuary and announced the seizure of the monastery. The authorities of the Bar confederation, although previously sceptical about mastering Jasna Góra, took the step of Pulaski with enthusiasm.
Russians stationed in Warsaw, as shortly as they learned about Poles on Jasna Góra, decided to attack the monastery. The Confederates were assumed to be broken up in the conflict of the monastery, and the monastery itself would be stormed.
On December 31, 1770, Russian troops appeared under Jasna Góra. Kazimierz Pulaski, however, was prepared for this. He's been proceeding news about the Russians' movements for weeks. Pulaski ordered fortified fortifications, strengthened the sanctuary crew, took care of the provisions. The siege of Jasna Góra lasted from December 31, 1770 to January 15, 1771. Kazimierz Pułaski turned out to be a large commander and “administrator” of the monastery at the minute of danger.
When the Russians stood at Jasna Góra, Paulini themselves actively engaged in the defence of the monastery, headed by Prior Pafnuc Brzeziński, who appointed Kazimierz Pulaski as the protector of the sanctuary.
The Russian storm occurred on 9 January 1771, but the uncoordinated attack and action under the influence of alcohol of parts of Moscow caused Poles to defy the attack. 150-200 Russians were killed and respective 100 wounded. The losses on the Confederate side were minimal. News of the Russians' winning opposition to the attack spread throughout the Republic and in many circles made the Confederates popular.
Jasna Gora was maintained for months, but with the weakening of the bar confederates throughout the Republic of Poland, it became clear that the Jasna Gora monastery could not be maintained. Kazimierz Pulaski wanted to search the honorary surrender of the sanctuary and the rescue of his soldiers, but he was charged with the desire for a king's death (3 November 1771).
On May 31, 1772, Pulaski escaped in disguise from Jasna Góra abroad. any Confederate troops managed to break through the Russian cordon, and any went into captivity. King Stanislaus August Poniatowski joined the negotiations with the Confederates, who demanded immediate surrender and even an apology to Catherine's Tsar.
Confederates capitulated in August 1772. On 18 August, for the first time in history, abroad troops entered the walls of the Jasna Góra sanctuary. No fight.
Previous entry from our calendar is available Here.
