Five Polish Brothers

Biography

The Five Polish Brothers, also known as Saint Benedict and Companions, were not originally Polish nor were they related as brothers. In fact, they were five Italian Benedictine monks who dedicated their lives to spreading the teachings of Christianity alongside Saint Adalbert of Prague in their missionary work among the Slavs.

The five monks, named Benedict, Christinus, Isaac, John, and Matthew, were martyred together for their unwavering faith. Although their representation in art is not specified, there are various images depicting their martyrdom, including the painting "Death of Benedict, Joh., Matthew, Isaac, and Krystyn, the Five Brothers Martyrs" by an unknown artist, which can be found in the Hermitage Collection in Bieneszew, Poland.

Born in Italy, the Five Polish Brothers met Saint Adalbert during their religious studies and found themselves drawn to his mission of evangelization. Together, they embarked on a journey to bring Christianity to the Slavic people. These brave missionaries endured numerous challenges and hardships as they labored to spread the Gospel throughout the region.

Tragically, their missionary endeavors eventually led to their martyrdom. In the year 1005, the Five Polish Brothers were put to death at the Benedictine monastery near Gnesen, Poland. Despite the ultimate sacrifice they made, their unwavering devotion to their faith and their commitment to sharing Christian teachings made a lasting impact on the communities they served.

These five courageous monks were eventually canonized by Pope Julius II as saints for their extraordinary dedication to spreading the Gospel and their willingness to give up their lives in the process.

Although there is no specific patronage mentioned for the Five Polish Brothers, their story and sacrifice serve as an inspiration for all those who strive to live out their faith and evangelize with love and devotion.