Wiesław Caban (The Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce) Religious-patriotic manifestations and the outbreak of the January Uprising in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains Religious-patriotic manifestations that started in June 1860 preceded the outbreak of the January Uprising. Some of these demonstrations ended bloodily. In the entire Polish Kingdom the society manifested their patriotism in churches and roadside shrines. In Kielce the first violent events took place on 4 April 1861, when father Joseph Zajdler, going with the blessed sacrament to a sick person, was attacked by two drunk Russian soldiers. Street protests were brutally suppressed by the army. After these events a mood of religiousness and patriotism increased in Kielce. As a result of intense activity of clergy, as well as religious celebrations and pilgrimages, national awareness increased among society, also in lower social class. There was a widespread reconciliation with Jews who participated in patriotic Catholic ceremonies. A course of events in the Polish Kingdom concerned the authorities to such an extent that the martial law was introduced. It was announced in autumn 1861. However, in Kielce, Jędrzejów, Bodzentyn and Święty Krzyż, religious-patriotic attitudes were manifested. The martial law mobilized the ‘Reds’ to increase the pace of preparations for the outbreak of the uprising. Thus, great efforts were made in order to bring masses into conspiracy. 36 year-old Marian Langiewicz was proclaimed the Commander of the uprising. He was a former Prussian officer and he took part in Garibaldi’s campaign in Italy. In the moment of the outbreak of an uprising in Sandomierz province only three attacks were carried – Szydłowiec, Bodzentyn, Jedlnia – although eight attacks had been planned. It was worse in the January night in Cracow province. The attack on Kielce failed as a result of insufficient forces. Lack of successes in the January night in both provinces and lack of co-operation between military governors of these provinces resulted in bitterness of the society.