Blessed Pavol Gojdic

Biography

Blessed Pavol Gojdic, also known as Pavel Peter Gojdic or Peter Gojdic, was born on 17 July 1888 in Ruské Peklany, Pre≈°ov, Slovak Republic. He was the son of ≈†tefan Gojdic, a Greek-Catholic priest, and Anna Gerberyová. After completing his elementary education at various schools in Bardejov, Cigelka, and Pre≈°ov, he studied theology in Pre≈°ov and Budapest.

During his studies, Pavol consecrated himself and his work to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He completed his theological studies on 27 August 1911 and was ordained a priest shortly after. Initially, he worked as an assistant parish priest alongside his father. He later served as the prefect of the eparchial seminary and taught religion in a higher secondary school. He also supervised the protocol and archives in the diocesan curia and served as an assistant parish priest in Sabinov. In 1919, he became the director of the episcopal office.

In a surprising turn of events, Pavol joined the Order of Saint Basil the Great at Cernecia Hora on 20 July 1922. He made his vows on 27 January 1923 and took the name Pavol. On 14 September 1926, he was appointed as the Apostolic administrator of Prešov. During his installation, he expressed his desire to be a father to orphans, a support for the poor, and a consoler to the afflicted. His first official act as administrator was a pastoral letter commemorating the 1100th anniversary of the birth of Saint Cyril, the apostle to his people.

Pavol Gojdic was consecrated as a bishop on 7 March 1927. His episcopal motto was "God is love, let us love Him!" As bishop, he focused on promoting the spiritual lives of clergy and laity, establishing new parishes, and ensuring proper and valid liturgical celebrations. He also built orphanages and founded the Greek-Catholic school in Prešov in 1936. Additionally, he supported the publications "Messenger of the Gospel" and "Thy Kingdom Come." He had a deep devotion to the Real Presence and the Sacred Heart.

On 13 April 1939, Pavol became the Apostolic administrator of Mukacevo in Slovakia. However, due to difficulties with the local government, he tendered his resignation from the position. The Pope, refusing to accept it, ordained him as the residential bishop of Prešov on 8 August 1940. Later, on 15 January 1946, he was confirmed as the bishop with jurisdiction over Greek-Catholics in the whole of Czecho-Slovakia.

The rise of Communism in 1948 dealt a severe blow to the Greek-Catholic Church. The Communist government sought to control and suppress the Church, pressuring Bishop Gojdic to submit to Russian Orthodoxy or dismantle the Church in accordance with Communist ideology. However, he firmly refused, stating that he would not deny his faith. The government isolated him from clergy and faithful alike, attempting to bribe him with support and power if he would break from Rome. Bishop Pavol rejected these offers, remaining steadfast in his fidelity.

On 28 April 1950, the Communist regime outlawed the Greek-Catholic Church. Bishop Pavol Gojdic was imprisoned and subjected to constant abuse. In January 1951, he faced a show trial and was unjustly convicted of treason. Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole and stripped of his civil rights, he was moved from prison to prison, enduring ongoing mistreatment. Nevertheless, he continued to pray in silence and celebrate the liturgy in secret.

In 1953, an amnesty commuted Bishop Gojdic's sentence to 25 years in prison, which effectively meant life imprisonment. At one point, he was offered freedom on the condition that he becomes the patriarch of the Orthodox Church in Czecho-Slovakia, but he adamantly refused, considering it a betrayal of God, the Holy Father, his conscience, and the persecuted faithful. Despite deteriorating health, he remained steadfast in his faithfulness.

Bishop Pavol Gojdic spent his final months in the prison hospital at Leopoldov, Hlohovec, where he died on his birthday, 17 July 1960, due to illness and maltreatment suffered in prison. He was buried in the prison cemetery under a marker bearing only the number "681." His relics were later translated to Prešov on 29 October 1968 and eventually relocated to the chapel of the Greek-Catholic Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Prešov on 15 May 1990.

Blessed Pavol Gojdic was officially rehabilitated by law on 27 September 1990. In recognition of his courage and dedication, he posthumously received the Order of T. G. Masaryk - II class and the Cross of Pribina - 1st class, prestigious honors in his native land. Pope John Paul II beatified him on 4 November 2001, recognizing his martyrdom and witness to the faith. His feast day is celebrated on 17 July.