ABOLITION OF THE JESUIT ORDER (THE SOCIETY OF JESUS) AND ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE UZHHOROD JESUIT COLLEGIUM

Abstract

The Jesuit Order is one of the most high-powered religious orders in early modern history. From the Order's foundation until its liquidation, the whole of Europe had a network of monasteries, collegiums, and universities. The liquidation of the Order arose the questions of spiritual and educational succession and the fate of movable and immovable property of the Society of Jesus. The abolition of the Order had significant consequences both for the whole organization and for individual components, namely educational institutions (collegiums, universities), for all Order members from the head (general) to the paters, fathers in individual missions. The author considers the reasons for the liquidation of the Society of Jesus. The author also tries to find out how it affected the situation of the Uzhhorod Jesuit Collegium, what happened with the Order's property, and what was the fate of the paters and masters who were providing the functioning of the institution in Uzhhorod. Based on available sources, the author states that after the announcement of the dismissal of the Society of Jesus (1773), the Uzhhorod Collegium continued to work as usual for two years. At first, the property was transferred to the newly created Educational Fund. Later, Empress Maria Theresa donated a part of it to the canonized shortly before (1771) Greek Catholic Eparchy of Mukachevo. The official transfer of the Jesuit buildings, castle, and library funds to the Greek Catholic Eparchy of Mukachevo took place on August 1, 1775. For almost two centuries, from donations or ransoms from local nobles, Uzhhorod Jesuits received land estates, forests, vineyards, meadows, various buildings, mills, etc. After the dissolution of the Order, the majority of lands were given to the educational fund, then sold. Its proceeds were used for the needs of the educational fund.