Blood Libel Myth
This cathedral contains a series of paintings built into the church's wooden panelling depicting the Martyrologium Romanum. The third painting depicts a scene which it is claimed "...depicts ritual murders committed in Sandomierz by Jews on Christian children. The inscription above the painting reads filius apothecary ab infidelibus judaeis sandomiriensibus occisus (son of an apothecary, by infidel Sandomierz Jews killed)
The church (St Paul's) contains a second series of paintings including one in the chancel depicting the torment of Jerzy Krassowski who was supposedly strangled by Jews.
Discussion on these pictures has taken place with the Polish Jewish Community. "The Polish Council of Christians and Jews has offered to finance a plaque with explanations of the blood libel and information about the official statements by various Popes rejecting the accusation". This proposal has not been accepted and to date the pictures remain in the Cathedral and Church without plaque explaining or contradicting the myths portrayed.
Read more about this topic: Sandomierz, Sandomierz Cathedral and St Paul's Church
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