# Stanislaus of Szczepanów

> Polish Catholic bishop, saint, the principal patron of Poland

**Wikidata**: [Q351635](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q351635)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanislaus_of_Szczepanów)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stanislaus-of-szczepanow

## Summary
Stanislaus of Szczepanów (also known as Stanisław ze Szczepanowa) was an 11th-century Polish Catholic bishop and saint. He is recognized as a principal patron of Poland, holding significant religious and cultural importance in the nation's history.

## Biography
- **Born:** July 26, 1030
- **Died:** April 11, 1079 or May 8, 1079
- **Nationality:** Poland
- **Field(s):** Religion, Catholic Church
- **Occupation:** Catholic Priest, Catholic Bishop, Saint
- **Known for:** Serving as the principal patron of Poland
- **Aliases:** Stanislaus of Szczepanow, Stanisław Szczepanowski

## Contributions
While Stanislaus of Szczepanów lived in the 11th century and did not contribute to modern industries, his religious and cultural contributions are significant:
- **Ecclesiastical Leadership:** Served as a Catholic priest and bishop, leading the church in Poland during his lifetime.
- **National Patronage:** Serves as the principal patron saint of Poland, cementing his role in the spiritual identity of the nation.
- **Legacy Institutions:** His name and legacy are associated with the Santo Stanislao dei Polacchi, the national church of the Poles in Rome (incepted 1582), and the St. Stanislaus Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
- **Honors:** He is the namesake of the Order of Saint Stanislaus, a Russian military and civilian decoration established in 1831.

## FAQs
**What is Stanislaus of Szczepanów known for?**
He is a Catholic saint and bishop recognized as one of the principal patrons of Poland.

**When did Stanislaus of Szczepanów live?**
He was born on July 26, 1030, and died in 1079, with historical records citing either April 11 or May 8 as the date of death.

**What locations and entities are associated with him?**
He is associated with Wawel Cathedral in Kraków (established 1020), the Santo Stanislao dei Polacchi church in Rome, St. Stanislaus Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the Vilnius Cathedral in Lithuania, and the Basilica of the Dominican Friars in Lublin.

## Why They Matter
Stanislaus of Szczepanów is a foundational figure in Polish national identity and religious life. As a principal patron saint of Poland, his veneration is deeply embedded in the cultural heritage of a country that is predominantly Roman Catholic. His influence extends beyond Poland's borders, evidenced by dedicated institutions like the Polish national church in Rome and cathedrals in the United States. The establishment of the Order of Saint Stanislaus in 1831 further demonstrates his lasting impact on European honors and chivalric history.

## Notable For
- Being the principal patron saint of Poland.
- Serving as a Catholic Bishop in the 11th century.
- Being the namesake of the Order of Saint Stanislaus (est. 1831).
- Association with the Wawel Cathedral in Kraków.
- Having the Santo Stanislao dei Polacchi in Rome dedicated to his legacy.

## Body

### Identity and Background
Stanislaus of Szczepanów, natively named "Stanisław ze Szczepanowa," is classified as a human (Homo sapiens) and a saint within the Catholic Church. He holds the aliases "Stanislaus of Szczepanow" and "Stanisław Szczepanowski." Visual representations of him are captured in works such as "Stanisław Samostrzelnik, Św Stanisław.jpg" and "Sanctus Stanislaus.JPG." His associated coat of arms is identified as "POL COA Prus.svg."

### Life and Timeline
Historical records place his birth on July 26, 1030. His death occurred in the year 1079, though sources provide two specific dates for this event: April 11, 1079, and May 8, 1079.

### Religious Career
Stanislaus served in the Catholic Church as both a priest and a bishop. His ecclesiastical jurisdiction was centered in Poland, and he is historically linked to the Wawel Cathedral in Kraków, a major religious site that was established around 1020.

### Associated Sites and Legacy
Stanislaus's legacy is geographically diverse, linking him to several significant religious structures:
- **Poland:** The Basilica of the Dominican Friars in Lublin (est. 1400) and the Wawel Cathedral.
- **Lithuania:** The Vilnius Cathedral (est. 1387).
- **Italy:** The Santo Stanislao dei Polacchi, the national church of the Poles in Rome (est. 1582).
- **United States:** The St. Stanislaus Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

### Cultural Significance in Poland
Stanislaus is deeply embedded in the cultural identity of Poland, a country in Central Europe with a population of approximately 37.5 million as of 2024. Poland, which regained sovereignty on November 11, 1918, maintains strong Roman Catholic traditions. Stanislaus is revered alongside Saint Adalbert as a patron saint of the nation.

### Technical Identifiers and Data
Stanislaus of Szczepanów is cataloged in numerous databases and libraries worldwide. His identifiers include:
- **ISNI:** 0000000374168810
- **VIAF:** 35738217, 47560079, 1777152636066620050115, 615152636062920050402
- **GND:** 118901664, 1157908772
- **Library of Congress:** n79115468
- **Getty ULAN:** 500372624
- **BNF:** 11984395t
- **SUDOC:** 027901831
- **Commons Category:** Saint Stanislaus
- **Find a Grave:** 11395649
- **Freebase:** /m/02my08

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
3. [Internetowa encyklopedia PWN](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Stanislaw;3978949.html)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. BnF authorities
6. [Source](https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Stanislaus_of_Szczepanów)
7. Find a Grave
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Evolución del Calendario Romano postconciliar (1969–2014)
10. Calendarium Romanum Generale (1969)
11. A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints
12. [Source](https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/stanislao-santo-martire)
13. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
14. LIBRIS. 2012
15. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aistich.php)
16. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Stanislaw;3978949.html)
17. Sejm-Wielki.pl
18. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
19. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands