Baptism
The baptism of Poland refers to the ceremony when the first ruler of the Polish state, Mieszko I, his wife, Dobrawa of Bohemia, and his court, converted to the Christian religion. Dobrawa played a significant role in promoting Christianity in Poland, and according to some traditions, she was a zealous Christian who converted Mieszko herself.
The exact place of Mieszko's baptism is disputed, historians most commonly having alternately argued between Gniezno or Poznań. Some historians have suggested less likely alternative locations, such as Ostrów Lednicki, or even in German Regensburg. The date was the Holy Saturday of 14 April.
The ceremony was preceded by a week of oral catechism, and a fast of several days. The actual ceremony involved pouring water over the segregated groups of men and women, although it is possible that their heads were immersed instead, and anointed with the chrism.
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