Euphemia of Racibórz
Encyclopedia
Euphemia of Racibórz (1299/1301 – 17 January 1359) was a Polish princess member of the House of Piast in the Racibórz
branch and Dominican
Prioress in Racibórz.
She was the third child but second daughter of Duke Przemysław of Racibórz
by his wife Anna
, daughter of Konrad II of Masovia
.
in Racibórz
. During her religious life, she was elected Prioress twice, in 1341 and during 1358–1359. Documents showed her as a person who dutifully cared of multiplicated the monastery goods. In 1313, she acquired the villages of Proszowiec, Markowice
, Lyski
, Pogrzebień
and Lubomia
from her brother, Duke Leszek of Racibórz
. In 1335 Euphemia give to Nankier, Bishop of Wrocław the villages of Bieńkowice
, Strzybnik
, Sudoł and Kornowac
as a Tithe
. In 1337, she bought villages of Ligota and Izoldy to the widow of Piotr Strali, and in 1339 the village of Ucieszków and half of Warmutowice in Koźle
to a certain Kunada Stosz (or Stoszowice). In 1340 the Dominican Order through Euphemia bought from Henryk z Plumowa and his brother Jeszka the town of Baborów
and the villages of Suwałków, Czerwięcice
and Dzielów
. Three years later (in 1343) Euphemia received from her brother-in-law, Duke Nicholas II of Opawa-Racibórz, a large piece of land in Bieńkowice as her personal fief, but by 1351, the whole Bieńkowice was again in possession of the Dominican Order. At that time, Euphemia acted again as a representative of the Dominican Order and sold the villages of Bieniek, Turc and Kobern as the new Tithe given to the Church.
On 2 July 1345, Euphemia was authorized by Pope Clement VI
to maintain all further acquisitions made by her on behalf of the Dominicans under her direct control. The church and monastery of the Holy Spirit, which were built and consecrated on 29 September 1334, became in the center of the religious and cultural life in Racibórz.
On 8 December 1358 the dying Euphemia redact an extensive will, in which were listed all the goods acquired by her. She died few days later, on 17 January 1359 and was buried in the Dominican Chapel of Saint Dominic
in the monastery of Racibórz.
The later hagiography emphasized Euphemia's devout life, full of self-denial and plenty of Christian virtues.
At the beginning of the 19th century, her remains were solemnly moved to the Chapel and deposited in the principal Church in one of the side altars. During the fire of the church in 1945, the altar burned down and Euphemia's rests were lost. Today she is deeply venerated in Racibórz
and was a candidate for the altars.
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
branch and Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
Prioress in Racibórz.
She was the third child but second daughter of Duke Przemysław of Racibórz
Przemysław of Racibórz
Przemysław of Racibórz was a Duke of Racibórz since 1282 until his death ....
by his wife Anna
Anna of Masovia (b.1270)
Anna of Masovia was a Princess of Masovia and was a member of the House of Piast.She was the daughter and only child of Konrad II of Masovia and Hedwig, daughter of Bolesław II the Bald. Between 1289 and 1290 Anna married Przemysław of Racibórz. Anna was Duchess of Racibórz along with her unnamed...
, daughter of Konrad II of Masovia
Konrad II of Masovia
Konrad II of Masovia was the eldest son of Siemowit I of Masovia and his wife Perejesława, daughter of Daniel of Galicia....
.
Life
On 9 April 1313 Euphemia took the veil and entered in the Dominican monastery of the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
in Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
. During her religious life, she was elected Prioress twice, in 1341 and during 1358–1359. Documents showed her as a person who dutifully cared of multiplicated the monastery goods. In 1313, she acquired the villages of Proszowiec, Markowice
Markowice
Markowice may refer to the following places:*Markowice, Greater Poland Voivodeship *Markowice, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship *Markowice, Silesian Voivodeship...
, Lyski
Lyski
Łyski is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Choroszcz, within Białystok County, Podlaskie Voivodeship, in north-eastern Poland. It lies approximately north-east of Choroszcz and north-west of the regional capital Białystok.- Transport :...
, Pogrzebień
Pogrzebien
Pogrzebień is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Kornowac, within Racibórz County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately south-west of Kornowac, east of Racibórz, and west of the regional capital Katowice....
and Lubomia
Lubomia
Lubomia is a village and the seat of Gmina Lubomia, Wodzisław County, Silesian Voivodeship, southern Poland. It has a population of about 3,600. It lies approximately west of Wodzisław Śląski and south-west of the regional capital Katowice.- People :...
from her brother, Duke Leszek of Racibórz
Leszek of Racibórz
Leszek of Racibórz was a Duke of Racibórz since 1306 and Duke of Koźle from 1334 until his death.He was the eldest child and only son of Duke Przemysław of Racibórz by his wife Anna, daughter of Duke Konrad II of Masovia.-Life:...
. In 1335 Euphemia give to Nankier, Bishop of Wrocław the villages of Bieńkowice
Bienkowice
Bieńkowice may refer to the following places:*Bieńkowice, Bochnia County in Lesser Poland Voivodeship *Bieńkowice, Myślenice County in Lesser Poland Voivodeship *Bieńkowice, Silesian Voivodeship...
, Strzybnik
Strzybnik
Strzybnik is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Rudnik, within Racibórz County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately north-west of Rudnik, north-west of Racibórz, and west of the regional capital Katowice....
, Sudoł and Kornowac
Kornowac
Kornowac is a village in Racibórz County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Kornowac. It lies approximately east of Racibórz and south-west of the regional capital Katowice....
as a Tithe
Tithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
. In 1337, she bought villages of Ligota and Izoldy to the widow of Piotr Strali, and in 1339 the village of Ucieszków and half of Warmutowice in Koźle
Kozle
Koźle is a district of Kędzierzyn-Koźle and is at the junction of the Kłodnica and Odra rivers, 29 Ifl. southeast of Opole by rail. The district has a Roman Catholic church, a medieval chateau, remains of a 19th century fortress and a high school...
to a certain Kunada Stosz (or Stoszowice). In 1340 the Dominican Order through Euphemia bought from Henryk z Plumowa and his brother Jeszka the town of Baborów
Baborów
Baborów is a small town in Poland near Głubczyce, Opole Voivodeship.The first mention of the town comes from 1296 in which a wójt Jarosław is mentioned. The town was most likely founded by a Bohemian magnate, Bavor . Later it was part of an independent principality, the Austro Hungarian Empire,...
and the villages of Suwałków, Czerwięcice
Czerwiecice
Czerwięcice is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Rudnik, within Racibórz County, Silesian Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately north of Rudnik, north-west of Racibórz, and west of the regional capital Katowice....
and Dzielów
Dzielów
Dzielów is a village in south-western Poland, in Opole Voivodeship, Głubczyce County, Gmina Baborów. It lies approximately south-east of Baborów, south-east of Głubczyce, and south of the regional capital Opole....
. Three years later (in 1343) Euphemia received from her brother-in-law, Duke Nicholas II of Opawa-Racibórz, a large piece of land in Bieńkowice as her personal fief, but by 1351, the whole Bieńkowice was again in possession of the Dominican Order. At that time, Euphemia acted again as a representative of the Dominican Order and sold the villages of Bieniek, Turc and Kobern as the new Tithe given to the Church.
On 2 July 1345, Euphemia was authorized by Pope Clement VI
Pope Clement VI
Pope Clement VI , bornPierre Roger, the fourth of the Avignon Popes, was pope from May 1342 until his death in December of 1352...
to maintain all further acquisitions made by her on behalf of the Dominicans under her direct control. The church and monastery of the Holy Spirit, which were built and consecrated on 29 September 1334, became in the center of the religious and cultural life in Racibórz.
On 8 December 1358 the dying Euphemia redact an extensive will, in which were listed all the goods acquired by her. She died few days later, on 17 January 1359 and was buried in the Dominican Chapel of Saint Dominic
Saint Dominic
Saint Dominic , also known as Dominic of Osma, often called Dominic de Guzmán and Domingo Félix de Guzmán was the founder of the Friars Preachers, popularly called the Dominicans or Order of Preachers , a Catholic religious order...
in the monastery of Racibórz.
The later hagiography emphasized Euphemia's devout life, full of self-denial and plenty of Christian virtues.
At the beginning of the 19th century, her remains were solemnly moved to the Chapel and deposited in the principal Church in one of the side altars. During the fire of the church in 1945, the altar burned down and Euphemia's rests were lost. Today she is deeply venerated in Racibórz
Racibórz
Racibórz is a town in southern Poland with 60,218 inhabitants situated in the Silesian Voivodeship , previously in Katowice Voivodeship...
and was a candidate for the altars.