As Vicar General Lenkiewicz established relations with ex-Jesuits who wanted to rejoin the Society. He developed missionary activities in the North, but had to struggle to maintain the Society’s independence in the face of interference of the local bishop. After the death of two strong supporters of the Society in Russia, the local Governor in 1791, and most especially after the death of Empress Catherine in 1796, Lenkiewicz went through tough times. He was heartened however, when her son and successor, Emperor Paul I, expressed support for the Jesuits, a few months after her death, in 1797. The Society's hope of being once again officially recognised was coming closer to realisation, when the Duke of Parma, Italy, asked for some Jesuits to be sent to recommence work in Parma in 1793. Many ex-Jesuits asked to be re-affiliated with the Society in Russia in this period. The years when Lenkiewicz was Vicar General were characterised by improved stability in the life of the Jesuits in Russia, and by the renewal of apostolic activities. Young men arrived from all over Western Europe with the desire to join the Jesuits. Spending 30 years in Polotsk in various capacities Lenkiewicz made it a renowned place, with its scientific laboratory, rich library, museum of natural sciences, and other artistic and religious resources. He died in office in Polotsk. References Bibliography Marek Inglot: La Compagnia di Gesù nell'Imperio Russo (1772-1820), Roma, 1997. S. Zalenski: Les Jésuites de la Russie Blanche, (2 vol.), Paris, 1886. Succession 1722 births 1798 deaths 18th-century Lithuanian Jesuits Belarusian Jesuits People from Polotsk Vilnius University alumni