St. Stanislaus the Bishop Parish in Cisna

The Parish of St. Stanislaus the Bishop in Cisna, located in the Archdiocese of Przemyśl within the Lesko deanery, boasts a rich history dating back to at least 1497. In its early stages, in 1914, there was only a Mass chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Częstochowa, served by priests from Baligród. Due to the growing number of faithful, a decision was made in 1912 to build a brick church, which was completed in 1922. On December 26, 1925, Father Stanisław Bałuk consecrated the filial church dedicated to St. Stanislaus the Bishop. Architecturally, the church building underwent modernizations, including the addition of a second sacristy in 1968. As a result of World War II, the church was severely damaged, and the population of Cisna drastically declined. In 1958, Bishop Franciszek Barda established an expository parish, encompassing localities such as Wetlina, Smerek, and Żubracze, thereby expanding its pastoral reach. Today, the parish has about 960 faithful, and its spiritual activities are led by successive parish priests, with the current one, Father Zbigniew Łuc, serving since 2015. In 1997, construction began on a filial church in Przysłup, which was consecrated by Archbishop Józef Michalik in 1998. An interesting fact is that the residents of Cisna also participated in services at the local Orthodox church, reflecting the rich cultural context of the region where diverse religious traditions coexist. The parish not only serves a spiritual role but also acts as an important socio-cultural hub in the area, integrating the local community.