The setting of the celebrations of the Grand Millennium Jubilee of the Baptism of Poland in the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Warsaw (23–24 June 1966)

Abstract

The National Millennium celebrations in the archcathedral basilica of St John the Baptist in Warsaw took place between 23–24 June 1966. In order to facilitate the organisation of the event, on 15 August 1965, the primate of Poland, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, announced a decree establishing the Committee for Commemorating the Millennium of Christianity in the Warsaw Archdiocese, whose task was to prepare the programme for millennium celebrations and oversee its execution. To facilitate the work of the Committee, an Executive Commission of 7 people was selected, with Bishop Jerzy Modzelewski as its chairman. The Commission was divided into five sections, including the artistic section, which was responsible for the design and supervision of performance of various artistic forms and exhibitions as part of the celebration of the Millennium of the Baptism of Poland. The artistic section comprised of prelate Jan Penkała (the chair), artists, architects and craftsmen originating from the Primate Council for the Reconstruction of Warsaw Churches. The artistic works, in the interiors of the Warsaw cathedral, were kept in a unified and constant form (fairly modern). They were designed for the upcoming Millennium and to commence the process of reconstruction of the interiors of the cathedral, entirely destroyed during World War II. The interiors of the chancel (throne of the archprelate, main altar with The Visitation of the Mother of God) survived in the unchanged, millennium form till the end of the 1980s.