There was a legend among Vilnius Jews in the mid-18th century about the proselyte Count Walentyn Potocki, who had converted to Judaism and had been martyred thereupon. This story had been popularized by the famous writer Józef Ignacy Kraszewski (1812-1887) in his “History of Vilnius” during the 19th century. The narrative of the story which the writer intended for a Christian audience differed from the version that circled among the Jews. Nevertheless, the substance remained the same – it was a story about the tragic fate of a nobleman who had renounced his wealth, social status and privileges granted by his lineage, in the name of his faith; a faith which was perceived as erroneous by the Christian society.