On November 14, 2024, the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, hosted a ceremonial gathering at the Presidential Palace in honor of the 100th anniversary of the autocephaly of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church. The event was attended by Metropolitan Sawa, hierarchs of the Orthodox Church in Poland, clergy from all dioceses, monks, nuns, and lay leaders, alongside representatives of local and national authorities, including the First Lady, Agata Kornhauser-Duda, and Minister Wojciech Kolarski.
In his address, President Duda highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the centennial anniversary, linking the Church’s autocephaly to Poland’s regained independence in 1918. He noted that the struggle for autocephaly began in the late 18th century but could only be achieved after Poland regained its sovereignty. On November 13, 1924, the Ecumenical Patriarchate officially granted autocephaly to the Polish Church, a milestone intertwined with Poland’s national revival.
President Duda expressed gratitude for the Church’s contributions to the Republic of Poland, particularly in education, defense, and the preservation of national values. He emphasized the Orthodox Church’s role in fostering unity among Polish citizens and encouraged continued collaboration for the common good. To mark the occasion, the President presented Metropolitan Sawa with a Gospel Book and Polish state flags bearing commemorative messages for the diocesan bishops.
In his speech, Metropolitan Sawa reflected on the historical ties between Poland and the Orthodox Church, emphasizing their shared journey and unity. He described the centennial celebrations as a testament to the richness of Orthodoxy in Poland and its contributions to the country’s cultural and spiritual heritage. The Metropolitan expressed gratitude to the President for his patronage and for his support during the year-long celebrations across Poland’s dioceses.
As a token of appreciation, the Orthodox Church presented President Duda with an icon of the Theotokos from Mount Athos and awarded him the Order of Saint Mary Magdalene in recognition of his fruitful cooperation with the Orthodox Church and service to the nation.
Source: Church of Poland / Photos: Marek Borawski/KPRP
