Martin of Troppau
Archbishop of Gniezno (Gnesen)

A brief biography.

Martin of Troppau was born between 1230-1240 in Troppau/Opava, Czech Republic. His family name was Strebski, and, being by birth a native of Troppau (Oppavia), he is also known as Martinus Oppaviensis.

He entered the Dominican Order at Prague, and, as the Bohemian monasteries of the Dominicans belonged to the Polish province of the order, he was usually known as Martinus Polanus. He went to Rome, was appointed papal chaplain and penitentiary by Clement IV (1265-8), and retained this position under the succeeding popes. He was ordinaid bishop in Viterbo on 21 Mai 1278.
Nicholas III (1219/1220 – Pope 25.11.1277-22.08.1280) appointed him Archbishop of Gniezno (Gnesen) on 22 June, 1278.

Shortly afterwards Martin set out on his journey to Poland, but fell so seriously ill on the way, that he was compelled to stop at Bologna. He died at this city in the same year,12 June 1278, and found interment there.

He was a famous chronicler, which 'Chronicon summorum Pontificum - Imperatorumque'  is translated in five languages. The first edition appeared during the pontificate of Clement IV (1265-1268); a second recension extends to the death of this Pope, and a third to 1277.
The 'Chronicle' contains little true history, but chiefly a mass of fables and popular legends. He admits, for example, into his third edition the fable of Popess Joan, and the appointment of the seven electors by Otto III. 
 

Philately

The first church in Gniezno (973) was rebuilt  by bishop Jaroslaw Skotnicki in 1342. Destroyed by fire in 1760 the cathedral was again rebuilt by Ephraim Schroeger.
On the main altar the shrine of Archbishop Saint Wojciech (Saint Adalbert, O.S.B., 956-23.04.997), by the goldsmith Piet van der Rennen from Gdansk in 1662.

Poland 1960, Mi 1188, Sc 947.
 

Lion knocker from bronze gate of the cathedral in Gniezno, 12th century.

Poland 1973, Mi 2261, Sc 1985.

Millennium of the foundation of the Christianity in Poland by the baptism of King Mieszko I in 966. He built the first church in Gniezno in 973. The cathedral in Wroclaw, Saint Wojciech (St. Adalbert) and the cathedral in Gniezno, where Martin of Troppau was appointed  Archbishop. In this cathedral the tomb of Saint Adalbert.

Vatican City 1966, Mi 503, Sc 434.

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