Seinų (Augustavo) vyskupijos aukštieji dvasininkai: katedros kapitulos narių charakteristikos metmenys

ENThe cathedral chapter of Seinai (Augustavas) functioned for about a hundred years. The chapter consisted of twelve members: four prelates and eight gremial (full) canons. After the uprising of 1863-1864, the chapter consisted of four prelates, four gremial canons, and four honorary canons. According to the available data, 85 clergymen were full members and honorary canons from 1822 to 1915. Thirty- five clergymen were honorary canons, and this number makes up 38.8 percent of the overall number of the members of the chapter. Honorary canons did not have voting rights and only the honour associated with the title. Forty-five clergymen were full canons, and 22 priests were prelates. A career in the chapter used to begin in different ways: from the title of the honorary canon or from the canon, or even from the prelate. The lowest position of the prelate was chancellor (scholasticus), and then, in the ascending order, treasurer (custos), archdeacon, and deacon. Not all the positions of the chapter were always occupied. There was a time when, apart from honorary canons, there were only two full members of the chapter. The members of the chapter studied at 17 educational institutions. They ranged from various spiritual seminaries to studies at universities and academies, and even in Rome. As many members of the chapter as 36 were educated at spiritual seminaries. Twenty-two members had higher education. Some of the members were former monks who completed their education in the monasteries of their religious orders. Four members of the chapter had doctorates. The ecclesiastical careers of the members of the chapter took different paths. Some of them were parish priests, others were deans; ąuite a number of the members of the chapter were professors and rectors of Seinai spiritual seminary. Four members were consecratedbishops. Eight members of the chapter took the position of the diocese administrators (vicar capitular). [From the publication]