Chrzest Polski – najważniejsze wydarzenie w dziejach naszego kraju

The article outlines historical conditions of the baptism carried by Mieszko I in 966 and presents the most important contemporary theories referring to the time and place of that act. It follows with a characteristics of the three crucial aspects of that event: religious (chance for salvation for Mieszko, his subjects and their descendants), civilizational (entering the sphere of Christian culture, encouraging a development of science and technology), and state-building (joining the European community referred to as Christianitas , improving state management and creating opportunities for diplomatic activity). Finally, it emphasised the utmost importance of Christianity and the Church for maintaining the national identity of the Poles, especially in the period of national enslavement.