Americans seek their roots among the Polish Brethren

A delegation of Unitarians from the United States, Germany, and Brazil recently journeyed to Poland, seeking to uncover their historical and religious heritage. Their focus was on tracing connections to the Polish Brethren, a religious movement also known as Arians, whose history has garnered significant interest among Unitarian faithful worldwide. Dr. Jay Atkinson, a Unitarian Universalist pastor from the United States, shared his deep connection to this history, stating, "For nearly 50 years, I have studied the history of the Polish Brethren, as they are my religious ancestors." This visit marks Atkinson's sixth trip to Poland, having previously visited in 2004, 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2022, underscoring his long-standing dedication to researching this community. The group's visit included exploring remnants of the Polish Brethren's past, such as an exhibition of books and graphics related to the community displayed in Ludynia.