Archdiocesan Cathedral Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist in Przemyśl

The Archcathedral Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist in Przemyśl, established in 1375, belongs to the Przemyśl I Deanery in the Archdiocese of Przemyśl. The history of the parish likely dates back to the second half of the 10th century, when the first church in Przemyśl was built, associated with the Czech Diocese of Prague. During the reign of Bolesław the Brave, a fortified church was founded, followed by the parish church of St. Nicholas, fragments of which have survived to this day beneath the cathedral's presbytery. After Przemyśl was incorporated into Poland in 1340, this church gained significance. It served as the cathedral of the Diocese of Przemyśl, and its place was later taken by a new wooden church dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. In 1460, the current Gothic cathedral was built, which the parish began to use. The cathedral underwent various reconstructions, including in the Baroque style, and was consecrated by Bishop Wacław Hieronim Sierakowski on May 3, 1744. Another important event was the coronation of the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Jackowa on August 15, 1766. The cathedral was granted the title of a minor basilica in 1960, and after the establishment of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Przemyśl in 1992, the parish became an archcathedral. The culture and religiosity of the parish focus on the special veneration of Our Lady of Jackowa and figures associated with the parish, such as Blessed Fr. Jan Balicki and St. Bishop Józef Sebastian Pelczar, whose relics are kept in the cathedral. The list of parish priests includes a number of important figures, such as Fr. Wojciech Brygilewicz, Fr. Józef Ziemiański, and the current pastor, Fr. Prelate Mieczysław Rusin. The parish serves 6,850 faithful residing in the area, with various streets in Przemyśl associated with the community, reflecting the broad reach of this religious institution. The architecture of the cathedral and its centuries-old history highlight the importance of this institution in the life of the local community, serving as a place of pilgrimage and spiritual support for the faithful. It is also worth emphasizing that, due to its history, the parish has played a key role in shaping the religiosity of the region, and its influence remains visible to this day.