ADOLF STRZELECKI (1822–1893), ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST OF HALYCH (ON THE OCCASION OF THE 650TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE HALYCH METROPOLIS OF THE LATIN RITE)

Abstract

Every city is distinguished by the way it preserves the historical memory of events from past centuries, as well as of individuals who contributed to its development or influenced the local community. It is essential that this memory be comprehensive and accurate, not selective – based on personal attitudes or the bias of individuals who hold influence and have their own perception of what is “worthy” of study and presentation. Unfortunately, the historical memory of Halych contains numerous gaps, particularly concerning events of the past two centuries. This especially applies to the history of the Roman Catholic community in the city and its spiritual leaders. There are many reasons for this, with the most significant being the negative consequences of the Bolshevik occupation of the region and the changes in the religious and national composition of the urban population. Throughout many centuries of Halych’s history, the Roman Catholic community ranked second in terms of size, and at times played a leading role in terms of influence. Its clergy contributed to the promotion of Christian values among the townspeople and were actively involved in the upbringing of children and the spiritual development of the community. In 2025, the 650th anniversary of the founding of the Halych (Lviv) Metropolis of the Roman Catholic Church was commemorated. In light of this anniversary, it is worthwhile to recall certain pages of its history. The aim of this article is to study the biography, key life stages, and pastoral activities of one of the Roman Catholic community’s spiritual leaders – prіest Adolf Strzelecki. The article reveals his role and significance in both the life of the Church and the civic life of the city. The task undertaken by the author is to present a comprehensive portrait of Strzelecki’s life based on identified sources – from his birth, teaching career at the Chernivtsi Gymnasium, his service as Dean in Buchach and Stanislaviv, to his final years of ministry in Halych. The focus of the research includes previously forgotten or unexplored episodes of the city’s local history in the context of religious leadership. The article provides information about Strzelecki as a teacher, head of Roman Catholic deaneries, local priest, and benefactor. Special attention is given to the issue of his burial place at Halych’s old cemetery. The material was prepared based on official state and ecclesiastical sources, as well as periodicals from the second half of the 19th century. The studied documents made it possible to reconstruct the biography and pastoral work of prіest Strzelecki in chronological order. The collected material allows for the expansion of existing knowledge about notable figures in Halych during the second half of the 19th century. The data presented in this article can serve as a valuable resource for the creation of thematic excursions dedicated to sites of local history, their founders, and patrons. The information and sources introduced here are being brought into scholarly circulation for the first time.