Stanislas, St

Stanislas, St.

a Polish prelate, was born July 26, 1030, at Szczepanow in the diocese of Cracow, of rich and noble parents, who sent him to continue his studies at Gnesne, and afterwards at Paris, where he applied himself to canon law and theology. Through modesty he refused the honor of doctor, and on his return to Poland (1059) he distributed his patrimony to the poor. Lambert Zula, bishop of Cracow, conferred on him the priesthood and named him as canon of his cathedral (1062). On the death of Lambert, Nov. 25, 1074, pope Alexander II, at the instance of the clergy and of Boleslas II, king of Poland, appointed him to the office. Stanislas thereupon redoubled his zeal, vigilance, and austerity. His remonstrances with Boleslas on account of the tyranny of the latter being resented, he excommunicated the king, who, in revenge, assassinated him in the chapel of St. Michael, May 8, 1079. He was canonized in 1253 by Innocent IV, and the Order of St. Stanislas was instituted in his honor, May 7, 1765. See Stanislai Vita (Ignol. 1611; Col. 1616); Ripell, Gesch. Polens (Hamb. 1840), 1, 199.