Pavlini u Gariću
The Paulists in Garić

Summary/Abstract: The monastery of St. Paul in Garić is one of the oldest Paulist monasteries in Croatia. It seems credible that the lord of Garić-grad, Henrik of Hungary (where the order was founded in 1215), invited the hermits there. Upon arrival to Moslavina, the hermits found peace and quiet they needed for prayer and contemplation. After having studied the documents, the author came to the conclusion that hermits came to Garić either at the same time when the Paulists came to Dubica (in 1244) or earlier, since – according to the documents available – the Paulists of Garić had already had a domicile in 1256, and a while later, they began building the monastery and the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They extended and added on them in the early 15th century, and thus created a complex that comprised all they needed for everyday life; thanks to the local aristocracy, they became rich landowners and, consequently, economically independent. The monastery in Garić was the locus credibilis – the place of credibility, in which local aristocracy used to keep their important documents and valuables. The church of the Blessed Virgin Mary was a well-known place of pilgrimage. 588 documents (deeds of gift, testaments, etc.) witness to the greatness and the importance of this mediaeval monastery. The last document from the monastery in Garić dates from 1520. As the danger approached, the Paulists moved their archives and valuables to Remete and Lepoglava; around 1543, together with the people, they fled from the Turkish army and the Armatoloi in search of a safer place. After the fall of Garić-grad (in 1544) and Moslavina (in 1545), neither the Paulists nor the people survived there. After Moslavina was freed in 1591, the Paulists of Garić endeavoured to revive the life in their monastery; however, they did not succeed.

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