Senųjų Trakų benediktinų veiklos pėdsakai Lietuvos Didžiosios Kunigaikštystės christianizacijoje XV–XVI a. pradžioje: šv. Kotrynos Aleksandrietės kulto atributas – segės su rato simboliu

LTStraipsnyje nagrinėjamos segės su rato simboliu, paplitusios keliose Vilniaus vyskupijos dalyse, o Medininkų vyskupijoje - tik prie ribos su Vilniaus vyskupija. Artimiausia šioms segėms yra šv. Kotrynos Aleksandrietės ikonografija, nes rato simbolis yra vienas jos atributų. Plačiai viduramžiais paplitusio šv. Kotrynos Aleksandrietės kulto pėdsakų aptikta ir Vakarų Europos archeologinėje medžiagoje. Nuo VIII a. šv. Kotrynos Aleksandrietės kultą pradėjo platinti benediktinai. Lenkijoje jos kultas taip pat gyvavo benediktinų vienuolynuose. Šiais faktais remiantis segės su rato simboliu susiejamos su XV a. pradžioje Senuosiuose Trakuose įkurdinta benediktinų abatija. [Iš leidinio]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Trakai; šv. Kotryna Aleksandrietė; Benediktinų Ordinas; Christianizacija; Segės su rato simboliu; Trakai; St.Catherine of Alexandria; Benedictine Order; Christianization; Brooches containing the symbol of wheel.

ENThis paper discusses a very small group of archaeological finds - brooches containing the symbol of wheel. They are classified into four variations according to the number of spokes (from 6 to 9). Most abundant are brooches with six spokes ; as to the others, only one of each was found. Cluster correlation dates the brooches to the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century. The wheel brooches were owned by women of various age. None of the broches were found in men’s or children’s graves. The 1st variation brooches were found in the bishopric of Vilnius at a considerable distance from each other and in the neighbouring bishopric of Medininkai at the border. Single examples of the 2nd-4th variation brooches were found only in the Vilnius bishopric. The wheel symbol is an attribute of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Archaeological finds confirm that the cult of St. Catherine of Alexandria was widespread in Medieval Western Europe. The authors regard wheel-shaped brooches found in Lithuania to be a strong indication of the veneration of St. Catherine of Alexandria. The cult of St. Caherine of Alexandria among Catholics in Europe was spread and maintained by the Benedictine monks. Wheel brooches in Lithuania are linked to the Benedictine Abbey established in Old Trakai at the beginning of the 15th c.The Benedictines of Old Trakai kept in constant communication with the faithful, in order to fulfil the task given to them by Vytautas the Great in 1416 – “pro augmento sanctae fidei catholicae inter neophytos nostrarum terrarum” (to promote the holy Catholic faith among the converted of our lands), which they did by spreading and maintaining the cult of St. Catherine of Alexandria among the believers. The extent of this spread can be measured by the distribution of wheel symbol brooches, which in turn helps to delineate the sphere of influence of the Old Trakai Benedictines. [From the publication]

• Archeologija / Archaeology
• Istorija / History