Marko Krizin
Marko Stjepan Krizin was a 17th-century Croatian Roman Catholic priest, professor of theology, and missionary. He is remembered as a martyr for his faith, executed during the conflict between Catholicism and Calvinism in Hungary. He is honored as a saint by the Catholic Church.
- Feast Day
- September 7
- Century
- 17th century
- Country Or Region
- Croatia
Key Facts
- ›Marko Krizin was born in Križevci, Kingdom of Croatia, around 1588.
- ›He studied philosophy at the University of Graz and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
- ›After ordination, he served as rector of a seminary and canon in Esztergom.
- ›In 1619, he was sent to administer an abbey near Kassa (now Košice, Slovakia).
- ›He was arrested by Calvinist troops and executed by beheading on September 7, 1619.
- ›He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on July 2, 1995.
Marko Križevčanin, Kőrösi Márk
About Marko Krizin
Marko Stjepan Krizin
Marko Stjepan Krizin (c. 1588 – 7 September 1619), also known as Marko Križevčanin or Kőrösi Márk, was a Croatian Roman Catholic priest, professor of theology, and missionary who lived in the 17th century. His life and death are significant due to his martyrdom for the Catholic faith during a period of intense religious division.
Early Life and Education
Born in Križevci, in the Kingdom of Croatia, Marko Krizin pursued higher education in prominent centers of learning. He began his studies at the Jesuit college in Vienna and later attended the University of Graz, where he studied under Péter Pázmány and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Subsequently, he moved to Rome to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, staying at the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum from 1611 to 1615. His personal documentation from this period confirms his Croatian nationality.
Ministry and Martyrdom
After his ordination, Krizin returned to his diocese but was soon called by Cardinal Péter Pázmány, Archbishop of Esztergom, to serve as rector of the local seminary and canon of the cathedral chapter. In early 1619, he was appointed to administer the estate of the former Benedictine Abbey of Széplak near Kassa, Hungary. During this time, Gábor Bethlen, the Calvinist Prince of Transylvania, led an uprising against the Austrian Habsburgs who ruled Hungary.
Kassa was a Calvinist stronghold. In September 1619, the city was besieged by Calvinist forces. Marko Krizin was present in the city, staying at the Jesuit Church of the Holy Trinity with two Jesuit priests, István Pongrácz and Melchior Grodziecki, ministering to the Catholic population. The three priests were arrested by Calvinist troops and left without food and water for three days. Despite pleas from some Protestants, the execution of the priests was approved. When offered a church estate if he renounced Catholicism, Krizin refused. He, along with the two Jesuits, was subsequently tortured and beheaded.
Legacy
News of their martyrdom deeply affected both Catholics and Protestants across Hungary. Prince Gabriel initially refused them burial in consecrated ground, but six months later, at the request of Countess Katalina Pálffy, he permitted a proper burial. The three priests were beatified on January 15, 1905, by Pope Pius X, and canonized as the Košice martyrs by Pope John Paul II on July 2, 1995. The feast day of Saint Marko Križevčanin is observed on September 7, an occasion celebrated with a week of festivities in Križevci. His remains are venerated in various locations, including the Basilica of Esztergom and the Ursuline Church of St. Anna in Trnava.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Marko Stjepan Krizin?
Marko Stjepan Krizin was a 17th-century Croatian Roman Catholic priest, professor of theology, and missionary. He was active during a period of conflict between Catholicism and Calvinism.
Why is Marko Krizin considered a saint?
Marko Krizin was executed for his faith during the struggle between Catholicism and Calvinism in Hungary. He is venerated as a martyr by the Catholic Church.
When and where was Marko Krizin born and educated?
Marko Krizin was born in Križevci, in the Kingdom of Croatia, around 1588. He studied at the Jesuit college in Vienna, the University of Graz, and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
How did Marko Krizin die?
Marko Krizin was arrested by Calvinist troops in Kassa (now Košice, Slovakia) in September 1619, along with two Jesuit priests. After being held without food and water for three days, they were tortured and beheaded.
When is the feast day of Saint Marko Križevčanin?
The feast day of Saint Marko Križevčanin is September 7. This date is regularly celebrated with a week of festivities in his birthplace of Križevci.
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