In 1999, Pope John Paul II came on a pilgrimage to This year marks 25 years since the that memorable visit.

In 2014, Saint John Paul II was established The patron of the City of Ełk, and June 8 is the Day of the Patron of the City of Ełk.

In the Holy Mass which the Pope celebrated on 8 June 1999. in Ełk, about 300 thousand believers from Poland and abroad took part. The Pope addressed then to the people gathered on m.in Square, these words: "I greet this beautiful woman land and its inhabitants. It is very close to me, because it is often I haunted him, looking for rest here as well. I had the opportunity to admire the richness of nature of this corner of my homeland and enjoy the tranquility of the lakes and Forests. You yourselves are heirs to the rich past of this land, which have created different traditions and different cultures over the centuries."

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the visit Pope in our city, on June 8 (Saturday) celebrations are planned jubilee:

·         9.00 - 10.00 Course jubilee – start at the Education Center Organic

Square John Paul II:

·         10.00 Ełczans sing Barge

·         10.15 - 11.00 Concerto the youngest residents of Ełk (at that time attractions for children)

·         11.00 - 11.45 Spectacle "I Am with You"

·         11.45 Ełk residents sing Barge

·         12.00 - 13.30 Mass presided over by the Bishop of Ełk, bringing the relics of the Blessed Ulma family and St. John Paul II in the procession, renewal of marriage vows of the jubilarians

After the Holy Mass in Ełk The following are also planned:

·         Awarding of commemorative diplomas for golden jubilarians of marriage (about 120 couples)

·         Farewell to the relics of the Blessed Ulma family and transferring them to the Archdiocese of Bialystok

The celebrations will take place under the patronage of the Bishop of Ełk Jerzy Mazur and the Mayor of the City of Ełk Tomasz Andrukiewicz.

Moreover:

·         The Historical Museum in Ełk together with the Polish Numismatic Society, Branch in Suwałki Koło in Ełk, prepared an exhibition numismatic and philatelic related to the person of John Paul II. It will be open from 8 to 14 June 2024.

·         In the Ełk Cultural Centre on 5 June (Wednesday) the final of the Recitation and Vocal Competition devoted to the the patron of the City of Ełk , St. John Paul II.

St. John Paul II is the patron saint of the city of Ełk

St. John Paul II is the patron saint of the city of Ełk. Day the patron saint of the city falls every year on the anniversary of John Paul II's pilgrimage to Ełk i.e. 8 June 1999.

On 23 December 2013, the Mayor of Ełk received an application signed by 4,144 inhabitants of Ełk for the initiation of the procedure for the establishment of Jan Paul II is the patron of the City of Ełk.

In January 2014, the Ełk City Council positively gave its opinion on the residents' request to establish John Paul II as the patron of the City Elk. The councillors authorized the Mayor and the Chairman of the City Council to transfer Ełk Diocesan Curia, the request of the inhabitants to initiate the church procedure in the Holy See. The councillors also proposed (in accordance with the request of the Ełk residents): that 8 June would be the Feast of the Patron of the City of Ełk (8 June 1999 Pope John Paul II visited Ełk during his pilgrimage to Polish).

In 2014, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, on the basis of the powers given by Pope Francis, recognized the St. John Paul II as the patron and intercessor before God of the glorious city Elk.

Announcement of this fact took place on 7 June 2014 at the John Paul II Square during the ceremony of the end of the peregrination of the Image of Our Lady of Jasna Góra in the Diocese of Ełk.