The Wendish Research Exchange - Bulisch, Jens: Wenceslaus Warichius the Elder and His Time. Lutheran Priesthood Between Orthodox Erudition and Farming

Lětopis Abstract 2009 2: Bulisch, Jens: Wenceslaus Warichius the Elder and His Time. Lutheran Priesthood Between Orthodox Erudition and Farming

Wenceslaus Warichius achieved a place of honour in the history of Sorbian literature and culture as a result of the publication of the first book in Sorbian in 1595, Luther’s Small Catechism. This present article investigates the life of the Göda pastor and sets it in the general context of the time.

Warichius studied in Wittenberg; he became curate in Göda in 1587 and priest of the parish in 1589. As a result, he took over one of the largest parishes in Saxony. The parish was divided between the Saxon patrimonial lands and Upper Lusatia and shaped the working conditions of the priest. The author considers, amongst other things, the economic conditions of his work as a priest, spiritual/theological issues, as well as the liturgical structure of services from the bilingual point of view. In this connection the translation of the Catechism is acknowledged as an outstanding intellectual/religious achievement.