THE GREAT MATTHIAS III
C. Bishop Matthias III Casimir Valancius (al. Wolonczewski, 1801-1875) is one of the most prominent personalities of Lithuania’s past. He distinguished himself by the variety and immensity of activities in his struggle against Russification attempts in Lithuania 100-150 years ago.
In a
nutshell: – born 1801 in a 10 children farmer’s family, priest 1828, high school
teacher 1828-1840, prof. At Academia Ecclesiastica in Vilnius and St. Petersburg
1840-1845, rector of the diocesan priests’ seminary 1845-1849, author of 2 vol. Hist.
Work „The diocese Samogitia’s” 1848, preconuzed by Pope Pius IX to
„Episcopus Ordinarius Samogitae” 1849, consecr. 1850. In 25 yrs. (1850-1875) of
his distinguished administration of the diocese (1 mil. people, 700 priests, 529 churches
and chapels), besides pastoral duties, he produced: ca. 15.000 letters to officials,
teachers, priests a. p., ca. 70 books, incl. Writtings of prose and poetry, founded ca.
200 priv. Par. Schools, promoted massive adult education and achieved ca. 90 %
participation of the whole population in his relig. temperance brotherhoods.