Confirmation by King Michał Korybut Wiśniowiecki of the donation of a farmstead for a monastery in Lviv

MICHAŁ, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KING OF POLAND, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia, Volhynia, Kiev, Podolia, Smolensk, Severia and Chernihiv, etc. [Initial with the coat of arms of the White Eagle with the royal monogram: S (or the Korybut coat of arms)] We hereby announce by this our letter to all and each person concerned, that there has been presented before us the parchment letter written below, signed by the hand of the Most Serene John Casimir, King, our predecessor, and reinforced with the Great Seal of the Crown Chancellery, containing the confirmation of the donation of a certain plot of land lying in the Lviv suburb for the establishment of a Greek Rite monastery, made by the once illustrious Szymon Onufryjewicz, [the document being] sound, whole, intact and free from any stain of suspicion. And we were requested in the name of those persons of the Greek Rite, that we might deign to approve, ratify and confirm this [document] with our royal authority. The content of which letter, faithfully transcribed word for word, follows and reads as follows: John Casimir, by the grace of God, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Masovia, Samogitia, Livonia, Smolensk and Chernihiv, and also hereditary King of the Swedes, Goths and Vandals. We hereby announce by this our letter to all and each person concerned, that there has been presented before us a paper letter, signed by the hand of the Most Illustrious Jan Mniszek, Starosta of Lviv, and reinforced with his seal, sound, whole and intact and free from any stain of suspicion, containing the confirmation of the donation of a certain plot of land lying in the Lviv suburb, recorded by the once illustrious Szymon Onufryjewicz, a Lviv suburbanite, and [permission] to erect and build on that same plot a church of St. John the Evangelist of the Greek Rite for the Reverend Father Szymon Siemionowicz, presbyter of the church of St. Nicholas of the Greek Rite, and his other successors. And we were requested that we might deign to approve and confirm this letter with our authority. The content of which letter follows word for word and was as follows: I, Jan Mniszek of Wielkie Kończyce, General Starosta of Gliniany etc. I make known by this my letter to whom it should be known, that I, having special regard for the fact that in this capital city of Lviv the glory of God should be enhanced and multiplied at all times and for long [...], and furthermore considering the faith of a pious man and his testament before his death, drawn up by the officials of our Lviv castle, submitted to our castle court records and confirmed by the Księ[...] of the same happily reigning [monarch], the late Szymon Onufryjewicz Sądowa [?], a suburbanite of the Lviv suburb calling himself a Cracovian, whose last will in his testament, described by the officials of the Lviv castle, the castle court and people of both clerical and secular status, [is written] in these words: «As for the farmstead where I [had] my residence and which was bought with my wife's money in Podzamcze, I desire and wish that the glory of God be celebrated there for the salvation of my soul and the remission of the sins of mine and my wife's, that is [...] a monastery and church be built in the name of Saint John the Evangelist; and so that this may come to its fruition as quickly as possible, I give and donate this aforementioned farmstead to the Reverend Father Szymon Siemionowicz, presbyter of [...] the church of Saint Nicholas, deputy of Lviv, in such a way and with the condition that he shall strive to have the aforementioned church built there and that divine service be properly celebrated in it according to the ancient [...] of the Eastern Church». I, therefore, necessitatibus [in need] seeing the true and pious [intent] for the grandson proba [...] by Father Szymon Siemionowicz, the above-named presbyter, allow [him] to found, build, construct on the embankment [on the rampart?], to keep a universal printing house on the aforementioned farmstead and to appropriate for himself other benefits pertaining to it [...]. And if any of the descendants of the above-mentioned founder were to donate either a small plot or anything else, that it should remain under [...] freedom for him for all time; which monastery the Reverend Father Szymon, as a provisor, entrusts to the Reverend Father Paschazy, chancellor, as one who should build and advise [...] the monks and establish the order according to the older custom of the Eastern Church as best and as conveniently as possible according to the will of the founder. [...] to have in their prayers and sacrifices the Lord God [...] the present day and the whole [...], who shall be obliged to pray; and the Reverend Father Szymon, above-named, to be the guardian and provisor of that monastery until his death, and after his death the entire guardianship and provisorship shall fall to all the sons, [who?] will live at this monastery, with the only condition that these same provisors shall be obliged to constantly elect an hegumen for themselves from the order with the hegumens of Krakow, Onufryiv, and Yuriv, with the permission and knowledge of the brotherhood inscribed with their names to the same monastery of Saint John the Evangelist regarding all rescue, help and funds according to the order of the Holy Eastern Church, confirmed by Antoni Żeliborski, Bishop of Lviv; which legacy and donation I approve in all respects and by this letter I allow that, according to the explicit clause of the testament, the monastery and church [...] be built on the aforementioned ground and all things described in this consent shall have their power and authority for all time. Therefore, this farmstead being on this ground, on which the glory of God is celebrated and will be celebrated, shall not suffer any wolves [requisitions] or transport duties from anyone, nor shall it give [them], I wish it to be so for all time. For which, for better faith, having signed with my own hand, I ordered the seal to be affixed. Done in Lviv on the twenty-sixth day of the month of May in the year of our Lord 1663. Jan Mniszek of Kończyce, General Starosta of Lviv. We, therefore, John Casimir, King, graciously inclining to the aforementioned request, have deemed that the above-included [...] in all its points, articles, clauses, knots and connections should be approved and confirmed, just as we approve and confirm by this our letter, provided they do not contradict the common law. Determining that they should obtain the power and authority of due and eternal durability, with the preservation of our royal rights, those of the Republic and the Roman Catholic Church. In testimony of which, we have ordered this [letter], signed by our hand, to be reinforced with the Crown seal. Given in Lviv on the 12th day of the month of February in the year of our Lord 1668, in the twentieth year of our reign in Poland and Sweden. John Casimir, King. Place of the suspended seal, Greater Crown Chancellery. Andrzej Miaskowski, abbreviator, regent of the Crown Chancellery. To which request, as being just, we graciously inclining, have deemed that the above-included [letter] in all its points, clauses, articles, conditions, knots and connections should be approved, confirmed and ratified, as in fact, insofar as they are in accordance with the law, we approve, confirm and ratify by this our letter. Determining that it should receive the due power and authority of eternal durability, with the preservation of our royal rights, those of the Republic and the Roman Catholic Church. In testimony of which, we have ordered this [letter], signed by our hand, to be reinforced with the Crown seal. Given in Lviv on the 30th day of the month of October in the year of our Lord 1671, in the third year of our reign. Michał, King [m.p.] [Signature on the right side:] Stanisław [...], regent of the Crown Chancellery [On the tab / plica on the right side:] Confirmation of the donation of a plot [...] located in the Lviv suburb, made by the late Szymon Onufryjewicz for the establishment of a Greek Rite monastery. [Verso:] [Note on the left side:] 1671, October 30 [Note in the center:] Foundation of St. John [...] by Onufryjewicz [...] [Signatures:] N. 9; F. m. 949.

MICHAEL DEI GRATIA REX POLONIAE Magn[us] Dux Lithu[ani]ae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae, Samogitiae, Livoniae, Vol[hyniae, Kiioviae, Podoliae,] Smolens[ciae], Sever[iae], Czernie[choviaeque etc.] [Inicjał z herbem Orła Białego z monogramem królewskim: S (bądź herbem Koribut)] Significamus praesentibus L[ite]r[i]s n[ost]ris quorum interest universis & singulis Exhibitas coram Nobis esse L[ite]ras Pergamenas infrascriptas manu Serenissimi Joannis Casimiri Regis Antecessoris n[ost]ri subscriptas & Sigillo Maiori Cancellariae Regni communitas Affirmationem Donationis fundi certi in Suburbio Leopolien[si] iacen[tis] pro constituendo Monasterio ritus Graeci per famatum olim Simonem Onofreiowic facta in se continen[tes] sanas salvas illaesas omniq[ue] suspicione nota carentes. Supplicatumq[ue] Nobis est eorundem Ritus Graeci personarum nomine, ut easdem Au[cthorita]te n[ost]ra Regia approbare, ratificare & confirmare dignaremur. Quarum quidem L[ite]rarum tenor de verbo ad verbum fideliter descriptus sequitur et[iam] e[ius]modi: Ioannes Casimirus Dei gratia Rex Poloniae, Magnus Dux Lithuaniae, Russiae, Prussiae, Masoviae, Samogitiae, Livoniae, Smolensciae, Czerniechoviaeq[ue], necnon Suecorum, Gottorum Vandalorumq[ue] Haereditarius Rex. Significamus praesentibus literis nostris quorum interest universis et singulis. Productas coram Nobis esse Literas papyreas manu Ill[ust]ris Joannis Mniszek Capit[anei] Leopolien[sis] subscriptas et sigillo eiusdem communitas, sanas, salvas, et illaesas omnique suspicione nota caren[tes], continen[tes] in se confirmationem Donationis certi fundi in suburbio Leopolien[si] iacen[tis] per Famatum olim Simonem Onofreiowic Suburbanum Leopolien[sem] legati, & in illo Fundo Ecclesiam Sancti Joannis Evangelistae Ritus Graeci erigendi & aedificandi Honorabili Patri Simoni Siemionowic Presbytero Ecclesiae Sancti Nicolai Ritus Graeci & aliis Successoribus eius. Supplicatumque Nobis est ut easdem Literas Authoritate N[ost]ra approbare & confirmare dignaremur. Quarum quidem Literarum tenor de verbo ad verbum sequitur et erat talis: Ja Jan z Wielkich Kończyc Mniszek Generalny Gliniański etc. Starosta. Wiadomo czynię ninieyszym pismem moim, komu wiedzieć należy, iż ia maiąc wzgląd osobliwy na to aby w tym Mieście stołecznym Lwowie chwała Boża była wzmnożona y pomnażana na każdy czas y długie [...], do tego uważaiąc wiarę człowieka pobożnego y Testamentem przed śmiercią Jego przez Urzędnikow naszym Lwowskim Zamkowym czyniony w Akta Nasze Grodzkie podany y od Xsię[...] tegoż szczęśliwie panuiącego potwierdzony Nieboszczyka Simeona Onufreiowicza Sądow Przedmieszczanina Przedmieścia Lwowskiego mianuiącego się krakowskiego którego woli ostatnią w Testamencie iego przez Urzędników Zamku lwowskiego Grodzkim y Ludziach tak Duchownego iako y Swieckiego stanu opisaną we Słowa: Iż co się tknie folwarku kędym ja zamieszkanie y Małżonki moiey pieniądze kupiony na Podzamczu, żądam y mieć chcę, na tem chwała Boża za zbawienie dusze moiey y odpuszczenie grzechow moich y Małżonki moiey odprawowała, to iest [...] Monaster y Cerkiew zbudowana była na imię Swiętego Jana Ewangelisty, co żebym tym prędszy do swego skutku przyszło oddaie y daruię ten pomieniony Folwark Wielebnemu Oycu Simonowi Siemionowiczowi Presbyterowi [...] Cerkwi Swiętego Mikołaia Namiestnikowi Lwowskiemu takim sposobem y z tym dokładem, aby się starał iżeby tam pomieniona Cerkiew zbudowana y w niey porządnie Służba Boża odprawowana była według Starożytnego [...] Cerkwie Wschodniey. Ja tedy necessitatibus widząc prawdziwą y pobożną na wnuk proba [...] przez Oyca Simeona Siemionowicza, wyżey mianowanego Presbytera pozwalam na usypie pomienionym Folwarku fundować, budować, murować, Drukarnię uniwersalną trzymać y inne pożytki przynależące do niego sobie [...] przywłaszczać. A ieśliby kto z potomkow wyżey wzmiankowanego fundatora darował, lub grunćik, lub co innego, aby pod [...] wolności przy nim zostawało wiecznymi czasy, który to Monaster Wielebny Ojciec Symeon, iako Prowizorowi zleca Wielebnemu Oycu Paskwaziemu Kancelerzowi iakoby temu aby on budował y oradził [...] Ludzi Zakonników y porządek według Dawnieyszego zwyczaiu Cerkwi Wschodniey iak naylepiey y dogodniey według woli fundatora postanowił. [...] mieć w Modlitwach y Ofiarach swoich Pana Boga [...] dzień teraznieyszy y całego [...] którzy powinni będą błagać, a Wielebny Ociec Symeon wyż mianowany aby był za Opiekuna y Prowizora tamecznego Monasterza aż do śmierci swey, a po śmierci iego wszystko Opiekuństwo y Prowizorstwo na wszytkich Synow spada w przy tym Monasterzu żyć będą, z tym tylko dokładem że ciż Prowizorowie powinni sobie będą Ihumena zporządka stale wybierać z Ihumenami krakowskim, Onofreyskim, Jurowskim za pozwoleniem y wiadomością Bractwa do tegoż Monastera Swiętego Jana Ewangelisty imiony swymi wpisanych względem wszelakiego ratunku, pomocy y funduszow według Porządku Cerkwie Swiętey Wschodniey, Antonium Żeliborskim Episkopem Lwowskim potwierdzonego, ktore to Legatum y Darowiznę we wszytkim approbuię y poniniejszym pozwalam, aby podług wyraźney Testamentu clausuły Monaster y Cerkiew [...] na gruncie pomienionym budowała się y wszytkie rzeczy w tym Cysensie opisane robur y powagę swoię mieli wiecznymi czasy. Więc ten Folwark będący na tym gruncie w ktorey się chwała Boża odprawowac y odprawować będzie żadnych niedkogo wilkow y podwod żadnych nie cierpiała, ani dawała chcę mieć wiecznymi także czasy. Na co dla lepszey wiary ręką się moią własną podpisałwszy Pieczęć przycisnąć kazałem. Działo się we Lwowie Dnia Dwudziestego Szostego Miesiąca Maja Roku Pańskiego 1663. Jan Mniszek z Kończyc Starosta Generalny Lwowski. Nos igitur Joannes Casimirus Rex praefata supplicationi benigné annuentes praeinserens [...] in omnibus eorum punctis, articulis, clausulis, nexibus & ligamentis approbandas & confirmandas esse duximus: prout in quantum Juri publico non repugnant approbamus & confirmamus praesentibus Literis Nostris. Decernentes easdem vim & robur debitae & perpetuae firmitatis obtinere debere. Juribus Nris Regalibus, Reip[ubli]cae, Ecclesiaeq[ue] Romanae Catholicae salvis manentibus. In cuius rei fidem praesentes manu Nra subscrip[tas] Sigillo Regni communiri mandavimus. Datum Leopoli Die XII Mensis Februarii Anno Dni MDCLXVIII Regnorum N[ost]rorum Poloniae & Sueciae vero XX Anno. Jan Kazimierz krol. Locus Sigilli pensilis, Maioris Cancellariae Regni. Andreas Miaskowski Abbreviator Regens Canc[ellariae] Reg[ni]. Cui supplicationi uti iustae Nos benigné annuentes praeinserctas [Litteras] omnibus eorum punctis, clausulis, articulis, conditionibus, nexibus & ligamentis approbari, confirmari et ratificari esse duximus: uti quidem in quantum de Jure sunt approbamus, confirmamus & ratificamus praesentibus Literis Nris. Decernentes easdem vim & robur perpetuae firmitatis debitum vigorem obtinere debere. Juribus Nris Regalibus, Reip[ubli]cae, Ecclesiaeq[ue] Romanae Catholicae salvis. In cuius rei fidem p[rese]n[tes] manu Nra subscriptas Sigillo Regni communiri iussimus. Datum Leopoli Die XXX Mensis Octobris Anno Dni MDCLXXI Regni Nri III-tio Anno. Michael Rex [m.p.] [Podpis z prawej strony:] Stanisl[aus] [...] Regens Cancell[ariae] Regni [Na zakładce / plice z prawej strony:] Confirmatio Donationis Fundi [...] in Suburbio Leopol[iensi] siti per olim Simeonem Onofreiuoic factae pro constituendo Monasterio ritus Graeci. [Verso:] [Nota z lewej strony:] 1671 30 8bris [Nota w centrum:] S[ank]t Johannis [...] fundation durch Onofreyowits [...] [Sygnatury:] N. 9; F. m. 949.