Cossack Adventure of Walerian Kalinka, a Prospective Monk of the Ressurectionist Congregation

Abstract

Before starting a career as a Polish priest and scholar, Walerian Kalinka took part in various initiatives aimed at restoring Poland’s independence. One of the most “exotic” of his enterprises was his participation in the formation of the so-called Sultan Cossacks detachments, military units consisting of the Slavic population. From the perspective of Polish emigrants, the time of the confrontation between Russia and Turkey (and Western powers) was ideal for the formation of the Polish army. Kalinka was as an adjutant to General Władysław Zamoyski and on his behalf led the recruitment into the army, and also transformed the already existing detachment of the violent Michał Czajkowski, known as Sadyk-Pasha, into a unit of the Polish character regarding discipline and ties with emigration circles. Despite the weakening of Russia’s position, the new balance of political forces after the Crimean War did not contribute to the revival of Poland as a sovereign state. Many Polish soldiers abroad went through an internal crisis. Kalinka managed the demobilization of Cossack volunteers and sought a place for them in emigration. Once again, the war did not lead to freedom. Remaining under the influence of religiosity of general Zamoyski, Kalinka began to pay more attention to the connection between the national question and Catholicism. Thus, Kalinka became close to the already existing Order of the Resurrection of the Our Lord, also called Resurrectionists. Afterwards, he joined this order and became a humble monk, who, however, never gave up geopolitical illusions and, through religious initiatives, tried to realize his political dreams.