Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin
| Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin | |
|---|---|
Servant of God Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin
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| Born |
22 December 1770 The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands |
| Died | 6 May 1840 (aged 69) Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Burial | St. Michael's Church, Loretto, Pennsylvania |
| House | House of Galitzine |
| Father | Prince Demetrius Alekseyevich Gallitzin |
| Mother | Countess Adelheid Amalie Gallitzin |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Prince Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin (December 22, 1770 – May 6, 1840) was an emigre Russian aristocrat and Roman Catholic priest known as The Apostle of the Alleghenies. Since 2005, he has been under consideration for possible canonization by the Catholic Church. His current title is Servant of God.
Prince Dimitri Dmitrievich Gallitzin was born into a world of inherited privilege December 22, 1770 at The Hague. His father, Prince Dimitri Alexeievich, the Russian ambassador to the Netherlands, was an intimate friend of Voltaire and a follower of Diderot. His mother was the Prussian Countess Adelheid Amalie von Schmettau, the daughter of Field Marshall Samuel von Schmettau.
When Prince Demitri was about two years old the Empress Catherine the Great visited The Hague, and as a sign of special favor to his father, cradled the child in her arms, and appointed the boy an officer of the guard. He was raised as a nominal member of the Russian Orthodox Church, although his father, like many Russian aristocrats of his age, had little connection to or fondness for religion. As was fashionable at the time, the language of the household was French, which was Prince Dmitri's native tongue.
In his youth his most constant companion was William Frederick, son of William V, then reigning Stadtholder of the Netherlands. This friendship continued even after William became King of the Netherlands and Duke of Luxemburg as William I. Each summer, his mother would take Dimitri and his sister travelling to the principal cities of Germany, explaining to them important geographical or historical features. Demetri was by nature, rather reserved and timid. His sister made friends more readily; but Demetri kept them longer.
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