Lineage of Legends

Poland · 1974 – 2014

The Unification Movementin Poland

From a Catholic Pole studying new religious movements in France, to underground Austrian 'Mission Butterfly' sisters smuggling the Divine Principle across the Iron Curtain, to the post-1989 unification of two underground groups into one church — the Polish movement was forged in secrecy under a communist regime, then expanded rapidly through CARP, PWPA and WFWP after the fall of the Berlin Wall. True Father visited as a tourist in 1974 and as a guest of honour in 1995 and 2005. The story closes in October 2014 with the 40th-anniversary offering at the Peace Embassy in Warsaw — and the unexpected return of Janusz M, the first missionary, after almost 18 years away.

History of the Unification Movement in Poland, 1974–2014 — Christoph Kral (28 March 2015), archived at tparents.org.
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Era 1

I. Underground seed

1972 – 1979

Janusz M · Zofia Korzeniewska · Peter Koch · Mission Butterfly

A Polish Catholic in Paris finds the Divine Principle in 1972 and is told by True Father that, to be a missionary in communist Poland, he must be "a living martyr". Two years later the mission begins in Warsaw. By 1978 Austrian national leader Peter Koch receives a spirit-world message and launches "Mission Butterfly" to seed the church behind the Iron Curtain.

1972

Janusz M meets the Divine Principle in France

Janusz M, a strong Catholic and friend of the Catholic priest Jan Twardowski, travels to France to research new religious groups and meets Unification missionaries. After months of careful study he recognises the Divine Principle as truth. True Father signs a copy of the book for him and tells him that to be a missionary in Poland he must be "a living martyr" — strong enough to survive prison and to protect others.

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4 October 1974

Mission starts · True Father visits as a tourist

The mission in Poland officially begins on 4 October 1974. The first member is Janusz's wife, followed soon after by her friend Zofia Korzeniewska. The same year True Father visits Poland as a tourist, staying in the Victoria Hotel in Warsaw and praying for the Polish members and nation.

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1976 – 1977

First fruits · "eight Polish members, as in Noah's family"

By 1976 a small core has formed around Janusz: Krzysztof Gago, Bogumiła Bem, Joanna Ksycińska, Lucyna Piłka and Janusz's mother-in-law. In 1977 the Polish translation of the Divine Principle and a study guide are finished — there are now eight Polish members, "as in Noah's family" — and construction of the Izabelin training centre near Warsaw begins.

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1978

Mission Butterfly launched from Austria

Former Austrian national leader Peter Koch, deep in prayer, receives a spirit-world message that "thousands and thousands of people are waiting behind the Iron Curtain in the communist countries". He launches Mission Butterfly: Austrian sisters are sent to learn East European languages and to deny, even to their own families, that they still belong to the Unification Church — the price of going underground in one's own country.

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1979

40-day conditions across Poland

Members carry out 40-day indemnity conditions, travelling around Poland praying and lecturing on the Divine Principle and Victory Over Communism. They climb the highest peaks in the country, including Rysy in winter, giving lectures as they go. In October 1979 Barbara Piątkowska-Stacy joins the Polish movement.

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Era 2

II. Martial law and Mission Butterfly

1980 – 1985

Martha Kral · Helga · Hildegard · Krzysztof Gago · Solidarity

Austrian sisters Martha Rainer (Kral), Helga and Hildegard go underground in Cracow, Warsaw and Toruń. In December 1981 martial law is declared. Polish members bless government buildings, organise prayer marches, smuggle fuel for Solidarity, and run a "Noah's Ark" cycling mission across the country in the summer of 1982 — receiving the Blessing by picture from True Father in October that same year.

1980 – 1981

Austrian sisters cross the Iron Curtain

Martha Rainer goes underground to Cracow in 1980, studying Polish at the Jagiellonian University. Helga and Hildegard arrive in 1981; Hildegard later moves to Toruń while Helga stays in Warsaw. They are matched by picture by True Father in Camberg, Germany, in 1981, and married — also by picture — in Korea in October 1982.

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13 December 1981

Martial law · prayer against Soviet invasion

Martial law and curfew are declared on 13 December 1981; most Solidarity leaders are arrested or interned. The Izabelin centre is almost ready to open. Mrs Kim sends 12 stones from Pusan for the protection of 12 people in Poland, and the members bless the buildings of the communist regime and organise prayer marches to prevent bloodshed.

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Summer 1982

"Noah's Ark" cycling mission · Blessing of 6

With fuel rationed, Janusz M, his wife, Joanna Ksycińska, Barbara Piątkowska-Stacey and Krzysztof Gago cycle around Poland on the next 40-day condition, sleeping in safe houses. On 14 October 1982 six Polish members receive the Blessing in Korea — only their small pictures are sent, none of them can travel. In 1983 they organise a 1,000-litre fuel collection to help interned Solidarity figures and run a second cycling tour with a black tent called "Noah's Ark".

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July – September 1984

Rebirth of Christianity tour · Faith Jones message

In July 1984 Polish members tour the 120 most important churches in Poland, helping priests and lecturing on the Divine Principle. Poland is reeling: Pope John Paul II has survived an assassination attempt, the Solidarity priest Jerzy Popiełuszko is brutally murdered, and True Father is in Danbury. In September 1984 about 20 members gather in Izabelin and receive a spirit-world message through the medium Faith Jones — from Heung Jin Nim, who had ascended that year, and from Mary the mother of Jesus — reassuring them that communism will fall sooner than they think.

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Autumn 1985

Krzysztof Gago's secret mission to Moscow

Janusz M asks Krzysztof Gago to bring the victory of Solidarity symbolically to the USSR. On his way to his wedding in Japan, Krzysztof breaks out of the Moscow airport transit hotel, distributes mini-Bibles in the city and prays at sites symbolising Stalinism. He passes through customs reserved for communist party members thanks, the members feel, to divine protection. True Father's words echo throughout: "Moscow means: must go."

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Era 3

III. Glanow and the fall of the Wall

1986 – 1990

Christoph Kral · Stanislaw Glowacki · Jacek Czyszczon · Rev. Kwak

Christoph Kral joins Martha in Cracow in 1987 — talking his way into a Vienna printing-machinery firm so he can enter Poland legally. In 1988 a farmhouse in Glanow, near Cracow, is bought and turned into a training centre. In June 1989 Solidarity wins the elections; in November the Berlin Wall falls; in December the two underground groups in Warsaw and Cracow finally meet, and Janusz M becomes Poland's first national leader.

1986 – 1987

Christoph Kral enters Poland through business

After being matched to Martha Rainer in 1981 and Blessed by picture in 1982, Christoph Kral spends years preparing to follow his wife underground. He officially leaves the Unification Church, lands a sales job with an Austrian printing-machinery firm covering Eastern Europe, navigates a year of high-pressure business trips with his alcohol-soaked boss, and finally joins Martha in Cracow in 1987.

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1988

Glanow training centre purchased

With Christoph's investment a farmhouse on 4.5 hectares is bought in the village of Glanow near Cracow and turned into a training centre. Brothers Stanislaw "Staszek" Glowacki and Jacek "Jacenty" Czyszczon lead the construction. The same year the Izabelin centre, finally finished after eleven years of building, hosts its first seven-day workshop. Twelve dedicated young Polish brothers and sisters have joined by the end of 1989.

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June 1989

Solidarity wins · communism crumbles

In the June 1989 elections the communist party is completely defeated. Rev. Kwak, who took over Mission Butterfly after Peter Koch ascended in 1984, visits Poland for the first time and meets with about twelve members of the Cracow community and twelve from Warsaw, along with eminent professors who advise Lech Wałęsa, in the Solidarity headquarters in Gdańsk.

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9 November 1989

Berlin Wall falls · two underground groups meet

On 9 November 1989 the Berlin Wall falls. On 19 November True Parents return from meeting President Gorbachev in Moscow. In December the missionary groups in Warsaw and Cracow meet for the first time and unite as one church centred on Janusz M (with his wife Barbara) as the first national leader of Poland. Two Holy Grounds are established — one at Glanow and one at Izabelin.

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20 January 1990

Church and CARP officially registered

On 20 January 1990 the Unification Church is officially registered in Poland. On 20 April CARP is registered in Cracow as the Akademickie Stowarzyszenie Urzeczywistniania Wartości Uniwersalnych. From June to August 1990 the American "Religious Youth Service" runs the first community-service project in any post-communist country, including a water-pipeline dig in Karniowice near Cracow.

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Era 4

IV. Building the open-era foundation

1991 – 1996

Erwin & Hildegard · Martha Kral · Patrick Jouan · WFWP · PWPA

The Austrian missionary couple Erwin and Hildegard become the second national leaders in November 1991. Polish members travel openly to Korea for the 30,000 and 360,000 Couple Blessings. True Mother speaks in Warsaw to 1,300 people in 1999 — but first, in November 1995, True Parents visit Poland together for the very first time.

November 1991

Erwin and Hildegard appointed national leaders

In January 1991 Austrian missionary Erwin becomes regional leader for East Europe; in November he and his wife Hildegard — herself a former underground Mission Butterfly sister — become the second national leaders of Poland. Hildegard had been working underground in Poland already at the time of her 1982 matching, when Erwin "could only imagine it".

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25 August 1992

67 Polish couples in the 30,000 Couple Blessing

Sixty-seven Polish candidates take part in the 30,000 Couple Blessing held in Seoul on 25 August 1992, including older members who had joined under communist rule. On 11 December 1992 the Polish chapter of the Women's Federation for World Peace is registered in Warsaw, with 200 people attending the first national event in the Warsaw Forum Hotel.

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October 1993

Patrick Jouan becomes fourth national leader

Martha Kral serves as acting national leader from January 1993 until October, when Patrick Jouan from France is appointed the fourth national leader of Poland. He serves until 1996. In January 1994 Martha leaves Poland after fourteen years of mission to join her husband Christoph in Armenia and the CIS.

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19 November 1993

True Mother speaks at the Marriott in Warsaw

True Mother visits Poland and delivers her speech "True Parents and the Completed Testament Era" at the Marriott Hotel in Warsaw to about 1,000 guests. The full text is published in Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland's most important newspaper. President Lech Wałęsa's wife Danuta sends a warm letter of welcome.

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6 – 7 November 1995

True Parents' first joint visit to Poland

True Parents arrive in Warsaw on 6 November — True Father's first visit since 1974. That evening Father shares his heart with Polish brothers and sisters for three hours. The next day True Mother meets Danuta Wałęsa, and Father addresses 1,400 guests in the Palace of Congress on "True Family and I". Father then sightsees Warsaw, listening to a thirty-minute summary of Polish history from a Polish brother.

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1 December 1996

FFWPU inaugurated in Warsaw

The Family Federation for World Peace in Poland is inaugurated on 1 December 1996 at the Forum Hotel in Warsaw. True Father's speech "In Search of the Beginnings of the Universe" is presented to 300 people. The same year four National Messiah families are assigned to Poland: Rev. Sung Kyun Moon, the Yoshidas, the Clyburns and the Fiores.

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Era 5

V. Peace Embassy and the 100-city tour

1997 – 2008

Marek Rudnik · Peace Embassy · Krzysztof Gago · True Parents

Poland becomes the first country in Europe to host Dae Mo Nim for ancestor liberation. In 2002 True Parents provide funds for a Peace Embassy in Warsaw. In October 2005 the 100-city world speaking tour reaches Poland and over 700 guests fill the Westin Hotel — the breakthrough Polish leaders had been praying for.

November 2000

Polish chapter of IIFWP launched

The Polish chapter of the International and Interreligious Federation for World Peace is launched at a conference in Konstancin-Jeziorna near Warsaw from 17–19 November 2000, on "Creating the Culture of Peace: Personality, Family and Service for Society". A joint IIFWP/WFWP conference follows in Jachranka in December.

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2001

50 Polish patriots liberated at Cheong Pyeong · Marek Rudnik appointed

Fifty Polish saints and patriots — among them kings, military commanders and saints from Poland's past — are liberated at Cheong Pyeong. The same year Marek Rudnik succeeds Chang Duk Bong as the seventh national leader of Poland.

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6 June 2002

Peace Embassy purchased in Warsaw

On 6 June 2002 the Polish Unification Movement receives substantial financial support from True Parents to buy a building as a Peace Embassy in Warsaw — a stylish building with a 100-seat conference hall, dining room, seven guest rooms and a VIP conference room. Later that month Dae Mo Nim comes to Glanow for the first European-level ancestor liberation, with about 2,000 members from across Europe participating.

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28 November 2004

True Parents' Coronation at the Peace Embassy

The Coronation Ceremony of True Parents as King and Queen of Peace is held at the Peace Embassy in Warsaw on 28 November 2004. 120 people attend, including representatives of different religions, Ambassadors for Peace, professors and other VIPs.

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24 October 2005

True Parents at the Westin Hotel · 100-city tour

During the 100-city world speaking tour True Parents come to Warsaw. An exhibition on Nowy Świat Street, supported by Japanese missionary Beatrice Clyburn and Krzysztof Gago, helps push the count past 500 Ambassadors for Peace. On 24 October True Father speaks at the Westin Hotel to a hall built for 550 — over 700 guests cram in, doors left open, German members busing in 240 supporters and Holland a coach of 50. True Mother is welcomed at the airport with a red carpet.

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2 July 2006

True Mother and Kook Jin Nim · 180-Nation Peace Tour

True Mother and Kook Jin Nim visit Warsaw on 2 July 2006 as part of the 180-Nation Peace Tour, with Kook Jin Nim speaking on "God's Ideal Family and the Kingdom of the Peaceful, Ideal World" at the Hotel Sofitel Victoria. On 13 September 2006 three True Grandchildren — Hyung Jin Nim, Shin Sook Moon and Hirotaka Otsuka — speak in Warsaw, Cracow and Gdańsk on the same day as part of the Three Generation European Speaking Tour.

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February 2008

Jacek Czyszczon becomes eighth national leader

In February 2008 Jacek Czyszczon — the tenth member of Mission Butterfly in Cracow and Blessed in the 30,000 Couple Blessing — becomes the eighth national leader of Poland with his wife Mi Kyung Hwang.

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Era 6

VI. Ascension and the 40-year offering

2010 – 2014

Smolensk · Seung Hwa · Martha Kral · President An

The Polish movement honours the 106 victims of the 2010 Smolensk air crash, attends True Father's Seung Hwa in 2012, and in October 2014 gathers in the Peace Embassy in Warsaw to mark forty years of the mission. As the offering is read, Janusz M — the first missionary — walks back into the sanctuary after nearly eighteen years away.

6 June 2010

Seong Hwa for the Smolensk victims

On 10 April 2010 a Polish government plane crashes near Smolensk, killing President Lech Kaczyński, his wife and all 106 on board. With the support of Dae Mo Nim and Heung Jin Nim the Polish members hold a National Liberation Ceremony in Warsaw on 6 June 2010 for the government officials who died in the crash, together with Ambassadors for Peace and representatives of UPF and WFWP.

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3 September 2012

True Father's Seung Hwa · Polish delegation in Korea

Eight brothers and sisters from Poland travel to Korea to attend True Father's Seung Hwa Ceremony on 3 September 2012. Later that year Haruyo Gago — a Japanese sister and the wife of Krzysztof Gago, who had joined her husband during the underground mission — ascends to the spirit world after a long illness.

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1 February 2013

Joint celebration to honour Father Moon

On 1 February 2013 representatives of FFWPU, WFWP and UPF hold a joint celebration in Warsaw to pay respect to True Father's life. From 6–12 September the Polish and Russian WFWP chapters, together with the North-West Russia chapter, hold "Bridge of Peace" ceremonies between Polish and Russian sisters — including a visit to the National Museum of the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.

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March 2014

European Continental Representative visits

The Polish Family Church welcomes European Continental Representative President An Shik Young for the first time. He travels from Cracow to Warsaw to Gdańsk, giving guidance about the Era of Cheon Il Guk. In July True Mother's Special Emissaries for Eastern Europe, Dr Moon Lan Young and Dr Pak No Hi, visit Poland.

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12 October 2014

40th Anniversary Offering · Janusz M returns

The Polish Family Church celebrates forty years of the movement at the Peace Embassy in Warsaw. Acting national leader Martha Kral offers a special signed document — "Offering and Dedication to our Beloved Heavenly Parent and True Parents of Heaven, Earth and Humankind" — covering the work of both underground branches (Warsaw under Janusz and Barbara M, Cracow under Martha and Christoph Kral). At that moment Janusz M, the first missionary, walks into the sanctuary for the first time in almost eighteen years; the whole congregation rises in tearful welcome.

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Sources

Every event on this page is drawn from History of the Unification Movement in Poland, 1974–2014, compiled by Christoph Kral and dated 28 March 2015. The 21-page booklet, sourced from the Poland15 archive at tparents.org, covers four chapters — Overview, The Early Days, New Beginning After the Fall of Communism, and Latest Years and Events — and closes with testimonies from Mariola Tyrpa, Anna Zaremba-Izumi, Jacek Czyszczon, Jean Luc Faure and Christoph Kral, plus the lists of national leaders and national messiahs.

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