The article focuses on the schism of 1920s – 1930s in the Mariavite movement. Mariavite are a Polish religious group, which was condemned by the Holy See in 1906. After the death of its founder Maria Kozłowska in 1921, Mariavitism became more Messianic, proclaiming the specific role of the Poles in the world. Mikhail Kowalski obtained an extremely high status in the Mariavite Church. He had it before as well but when Kozłowska died, there was no alternative to Kowalski’s power. He became the Archbishop. Kowalski made refences to the heritage of famous Polish poets and to some extent was influenced by the ideas of “the Silver age”. His reforms consisted of proclamations of the exceptional position of the Polish people, who had to be an example of Christians, “mystical marriages”, female priesthood and some other changings. Most of them were too radical (except for Messianism, which was appropriate for the moderate Mariavites) and were implemented too autocratically. Also, Kowalski was accused in immoral behaviour. In 1935, the majority of the Mariavites chose Filip Feldman as their new leader. The Mariavite Church lost its unity. The article is aimed at examining key aspects of the reforms. In addition, variety of Polish Catholicism is demonstrated in the article.
Keywords: Catholicism, Mariavites, Old Catholics, mysticism, eschatology, messianism, Poland
DOI: 10.22250/2072-8662.2019.4.13-18
About the author
 |
Natalia V. Avdeeva – Master student at the Department of History, Higher School of Economics; 123 Griboedova embankment, St. Petersburg, Russia, 190068; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |