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Feast Day: January 28
Saint Christian of Prussia, also known as Christian Von Preussen, was a renowned Cistercian monk and missionary who dedicated his life to spreading Christianity in Prussia during the early 13th century. He was born in the late 12th century in Prussia, which is now part of modern-day Germany. As a Cistercian monk, Christian lived a life of deep prayer and contemplation. However, he felt a strong calling to take the Gospel to the people of Prussia who were still pagan at the time. In his quest to fulfill this mission, Christian embarked on a remarkable journey that would ultimately shape the course of Christianity in the region. Recognizing the significance of his mission, Pope Innocent III consecrated Christian as a missionary bishop in 1215, making him the first bishop assigned to Prussia. This official recognition allowed Christian to establish local priests in the region, laying the foundation for the growth of the Catholic faith. Understanding the need for support in his missionary work, Christian founded the Dobrin Order of the Knights of Christ Brothers. This order was created to provide assistance and resources for the spread of the faith in Prussia. Christian also sought the aid of the Teutonic Order, a military fraternity, to not only spread Christianity but also protect the region from external threats. However, Christian soon became critical of the Teutonic Knights' methods. They turned the region into a series of fiefdoms under their control, which went against Christian's vision of establishing a community of equal believers. Despite this opposition, Christian continued to advocate for the spread of the faith and endeavored to preach the Gospel with compassion and humility. Unfortunately, the path of this devout missionary was not without hardships. In 1233, Christian was captured and imprisoned by pagans who sought to suppress his efforts. For the next five years, he endured physical and emotional tribulations as he awaited his release. Finally, in 1238, Christian was set free and returned to his beloved work. Feeling the toll of his arduous missionary life and the challenges he faced, Christian made the difficult decision to retire from active missionary work to live as a prayerful Cistercian monk in Sulejow, Poland. It was in this peaceful and contemplative environment that he could continue to serve God through his prayers and devotion. Saint Christian of Prussia passed away on 4th December 1245 in Sulejow, Poland, due to natural causes. His exemplary life of faith, dedication, and missionary zeal made a profound impact on the spread of Christianity in Prussia. Although not officially recognized as a patron saint, Christian's legacy continues to inspire believers to follow in his footsteps and answer the call to spread the Gospel to those in need. His feast day is celebrated on 4th December by the Cistercians and the Benedictines.