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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Bractwo Najświętszych Serc Jezusa i Maryi przy kościele parafialnym w Połocku w świetle Księgi brackiej z lat 1794-1818

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The fonds of National Library of Russia include a Register of Brotherhood of Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in Polotsk. Besides the list of members, the manuscript includes a number of documents important for operation of the congregation. The Brotherhood operated in 1794-1818; it was run by Jesuits, who survived disbanding of the order in 1773. Membership list of the Brotherhood (approx. 11 thousand) shows a crosssection of Polish community, living mostly in territories captured by Russia after First Partition of Poland. It includes members of local elite, as well as the lowest social tiers. Russians, Germans, French and Italians also joined the Brotherhood. An important group of members were students of schools run by Jesuits. The end of the Brotherhood was related to expulsion of Jesuits from Russia in 1820 (the last entries in Brotherhood register are dated 1818). In contrast to other religious brotherhoods of this type, which often operated for hundreds of years, Polotsk community has only existed for a ąuarter of a century. It is, however, worthwhile to look into its activity, both due to time and place of its operation, as well as mass participation of the community which would be subject to severe repressions a few decades later. In present time, Poles are a tiny minority in the community of North-East Belarus.