Cult of Sts Peter and Paul in the Bishopric of Kamień (Cammin) to the Reformation

Abstract

Patrocinia, that is patron saints of churches, chapels, altars, altaria, religious fraternities, monuments of religious art (architecture and painting), occasionally liturgical objects as well as toponymic and nomistic are interesting research subject to trace various topics from the past of the Church and society in general. The purpose of the present article is to see the development of the cult of Saints Peter and Paul in the bishopric of Kamień (Cammin) from the mid-twelfth century to the Reformation. A territorial scope of the study is determined by the changing boundaries of the bishopric. To follow the development of this cult in Pomerania it is necessary to determine changing boundaries and territories of Cammin bishopric. The topic has been researched for a long time. Studies by G. Müller, H. Heyden, K. Ślaski, J. Walicki, and B. Kumor still hold true. The most recent, which besides the Neumark researched by E. Rymar includes also the information relevant to our subject, is a study by M. Okoń of 1987 based on a huge literature search. A valuable part of the study form maps presenting the changes in the boundaries of the bishopric from 1410 to the Reformation. A characteristic of analyzed patrocinia includes their occurrences in: Anklam (Tąglim), Altentreptow, Tollense (Trzebiatów on the Dołęża), at Benz (Benice) on the Island of Uznam (Usedom), Białoboki, Białogard on the Parsęta, at Bobbin and Garz (Gardziec) on the Island of Rügen, at Greifswald, Kagenort in the archdeaconry of Stolp, at Kluczewo near Pyrzyce, Kołobrzeg, Koszalin, Laski near Kamień, at Łąck, Pasewalk (Poździwołek), Police, Pyrzyce, Słupsk, Stralsund (Strzałów), in Szczecin, at Wolgast (Wołogoszcz), on the Island of Uznam (Usedom) and in Neumark (the New March). In consequences, the cult of St Peter in the Cammin bishopric was evidenced in fifteen centers. For the thirteenth century it was six centers. The spread of the cult of St Peter the Prince of the Apostles in Neumark is evidenced for seven sacred sites within the boundaries of the Cammin bishopric in the last quarter of the fourteenth and in the fifteenth century. St Paul was venerated in the thirteenth century and the high medieval period only in two places: on the Island of Uznam (Usedom) and at Bobbin on the Rügen, while two saints together were patron saints of seven sites.