FOREWORD Who was that saintly bishop… Blessed Archbishop George MatulaitisMatulewicz (1871-1927) is an unconventional saint. A short pious brochure cannot possibly fully encompass his personality as an intellectual, ascetic, mystic and bishop who performed his office in extremely difficult and complex circumstances. He was sometimes the target of attacks, the object of antipathy, and occasionally even the hatred of nationalist fanatics. The stream of historical events, which formed and through which the holiness of Blessed Archbishop George shone, was exceptionally multifaceted. Faith and love of God, His Church, and other people — especially the ill-treated — inspired this bishop’s behavior and decisions, which raised admiration in some people but also awakened antagonism in others. By following this, we can learn the greatness of Blessed George. But greatness, even if it evokes our admiration, does not necessarily provide us with a sense of closeness; yet, it is only to someone very close that we can entrust our concerns and count on support and intercession. The authors of the following accounts discovered such closeness in Blessed George. 5
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