# Jan Purwinski

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Bishop **Jan Purwinski** or **Yan Purvinskyi** (Ukrainian: Ян Пурвінський; Polish: *Jan Purwiński*; Latvian: *Jānis Purvinskis*; 19 November 1934 – 6 April 2021) was a Latvian-born Ukrainian Roman Catholic prelate who served as the Diocesan Bishop of [Kyiv–Zhytomyr](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Kyiv-Zhytomyr) since 16 January 1991 until 15 June 2011 (until 25 November 1998 as the Diocesan Bishop of Zhytomyr).

## Early life

Bishop Purwinski was born into a peasant Roman Catholic family of Polish ethnicity in [Latgale](/source/Latgale). After graduation from school he joined the Major Theological Seminary in [Riga](/source/Riga) in 1956,[1] and was ordained as [priest](/source/Priest) on 13 April 1961,[2] for his native [Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Riga](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Riga).

## Career

From 1961 until 1977, Fr. Purwinski began to serve as an assistant priest in [Daugavpils](/source/Daugavpils) and after, as a parish priest and vice-dean in [Krāslava](/source/Kr%C4%81slava), [Baltinava](/source/Baltinava) and [Indra](/source/Indra_Parish). In 1977 he was transferred to Ukraine and began to learn the Ukrainian language[3] and work as assistant priest in [St. Sophia's Cathedral, Zhytomyr](/source/St._Sophia's_Cathedral,_Zhytomyr) (from 1984 he was a dean of the Cathedral).[1] Before moving to Ukraine Fr. Purwinski spoke Polish, Latgalian, Latvian and Russian.[3] Alongside parish work, from 1981 until 1991 he served as a Bishopric Vicar for [Ukraine](/source/Ukraine) and [Moldova](/source/Moldova).[1]

On 16 January 1991 he was appointed by [Pope John Paul II](/source/Pope_John_Paul_II) as the [Diocesan Bishop](/source/Diocesan_Bishop) of the recreated [Roman Catholic Diocese of Zhytomyr](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Zhytomyr). On 4 March 1991, he was consecrated as bishop by Archbishop [Francesco Colasuonno](/source/Francesco_Colasuonno) and other prelates of the [Roman Catholic Church](/source/Roman_Catholic_Church) in St. Sophia's Cathedral in [Zhytomyr](/source/Zhytomyr).[2]

## Later life

He retired on 15 June 2011 and resided in [Zhytomyr](/source/Zhytomyr). He died on 6 April 2021, after being hospitalized a few days prior due to [COVID-19](/source/COVID-19) complications.[4][5]

## References

1. ["Єпископ Ян Пурвінський"](http://www.kyiv-zhytomyr.com.ua/epyskopy/jepyskop-emeryt/10-2012-03-29-08-26-46.html) (in Ukrainian). *Official Website of the Diocese of Kyiv–Zhytomyr*. Retrieved 24 November 2017.

1. Mežniece, Ilze (18 September 2011). ["Bīskapu diena Ilūkstē"](http://www.kbvestnesis.lv/index.php/sakums-jaunumi/latvija/420-biskapu-diena-ilukste) [Bishops day in Ilūkste] (in Latvian). *Katoļu Baznīcas Vēstnesis*. Retrieved 26 November 2017.[dead link]

1. [Помер єпископ РКЦ в Україні Ян Пурвінський](https://risu.ua/pomer-yepiskop-rkc-v-ukrayini-yan-purvinskij_n117410) (in Ukrainian)

1. [Помер перший єпископ відродженої Житомирської дієцезії Ян Пурвінський](http://kmc.media/2021/04/06/pomer-yepyskop-yan-purvinskyy.html)

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