VATICAN - Catholic prayers in the languages of the world: Slovenian - The Christian Roots of the Peoples of Europe

Wednesday, 10 January 2007

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - There have been Christians in Slovenia since the 2nd century. A most important figure of the early Christian community was Bishop Saint Victorinus, martyred in the 3rd century in persecution in the time of Roman Emperor Diocletus (284-305). With the Edict of Milan Christianity became the state religion also in Slovenia.
In the 5th century Slovenia was invaded by the Goths and the Huns and many Christians fled to Austria and Italy. In the second part of the 6th century the Slavs and Avars began to settle in the Eastern Alps. Around 745, Slav leaders Gorazde and Hotimir stopped pagan attacks on Christianity and feudalism. During the reign of Charlemagne missionary centres established the Church in Slovenia and in the year 811 River Drava became the frontier between the dioceses of Salzburg and Aquileia.
12th and 13th centuries: Benedictine, Cistercian, and Carthusian monks promoted cultural, social and economic growth, towns were formed. Friars Minor, Poor Clare Sisters and Dominican priests and nuns founded local communities
15th century. Ljubljana Diocese founded in 1461 (?) as the faith spread and churches and convents were built all over the country. The first bishop of Ljubljana was Sigmund Lambert. The first printed book in Slovenian was a Catholic Catechism printed at Tuebingen, Germany in 1550.
16th century: the Reformation. In Slovenia the Reform reached its peak with the Graz peace treaty in 1572, and Religious Peace treaty at Bruck an der Mur, in 1578. Luther’s teaching was the first concrete alternative to Catholic doctrine. During the 16th century other reformist ideas like those of the Anabaptists and the sect of theExtatics. The greatest conquest of the Reform in Slovenia was cultural: first printed books, library, printing press, education and first Bible in Slovenian.
17th Catholic Counter Reformation. The Hapsburg Religious Peace Treaty was followed by profound renewal in the Catholic Church with the Council of Trent 1545-1563. Important figures in the Counter reformation in the Church in Slovenia included Tomaz Hren Bishop Ljubljana, the Bishop of San Jurj Stobej, Jesuits and Capuchins.
18th century Reform by Empress Maria Teresa and Emperor Joseph II. The Church was subordinated to control and objectives of the absolutist state until mid 19th century. 1855 Agreement between Austrian monarchs and Holy See freed Catholic Church of the inherited reforms of Joseph II. Great church transformation was undertaken by Bishop Anton Martin Slomšek (1846-1862), beatified by John Paul II on 19 September 1999.
Slovenian priests set out for the missions, the Lazarists, Salesians, Daughters of Charity, Maribor School Sisters, played an important role in Catholic social and charity work. In 1899 Jakob Missia became the first Slovenian cardinal.
In 1991 Slovenia broke away from the socialist Republic of Yugoslavia.
Independent Slovenia established relations with the Holy See on 13 January 1992, and it was recognised two days later by the European Community (Union) of which it became a member on 1 May 2004.
The new constitution of the Republic of Slovenia stipulates separation of state and church.
Pope John Paul II made two pastoral visits to Slovenia. The first in 1996, then again in 1999 (19 September) when he went to Maribor to beatify Bishop Anton Slomšek in the presence of 250,000 Catholics (15% of the population). (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/1/2007 - righe 57, parole 755)


Share: