Ekspresja wartości religijnych przez i wobec Radziwiłłów birżańskich

Abstract

The article presents various texts on reIigious feelings and problems expressed by the Birżan Radziwiłł family as well as individuals responding to such writings. In their Sejm speeches, protectors of Evangelical-Reformed Church defended dissidents' rights. Furthermore, they compared faith with such values as patriotism, freedom and compromise. Magnates' great reIigious commitment is confirmed by their correspondence addressed to both their closest family (wives, children, parents) and other relatives. Letters written by Krzysztof Dorohostajski and Lew Sapieha to Krzysztof Piorun and his sons discussed the issues of faith in various contexts, among the others, with regard to Catholicism and reIigious practices. Radziwiłł's servants and ministers wrote to them from a different position. Using allusions and biblical quotations, they expressed their sometimes negative or opposing views. Moreover, Jesuits' letters confirm that correspondents of different faiths also discussed religious issues.