[The morphology of Silesian religiousness in early modern history: Socinianism and anabaptism].
In the 16th and 17th century religion and religiousness had been more important than today. This also applies to Silesia which ahd a particular position in Germany of the Early Modern History and kept close connections wtih Poland. Among the religious streams - Catholicism, Lutheranism, Calvinism - there were also potent religious substreams. Some thinkers (J. Böhme, H. Th. von Tschesch, A. von Franckenberg, D. Czepko a.o.) were based on Mysticism. This article deals with Socianism and Anabaptism. Principally the Socinianism had come from Poland to Silesia. Soon Silesians like A. Witrelin and G. Schomann - originally Calvinists - represented it. Centres of German Socianians were situated in Small Poland near the Silesian border: Schmiegel (near Lissa resp. Fraustadt, Bobelwitz (near Meseritz) and Kosten (Posener Country). The Thirty Years War and the Polish-Swedish War supported the reciprocal emigration of Polish and Silesian Protestants and Socinians. And the tolerance, too! Since 1655-1660 the emigration of Polish Socinians has extended - also to Silesia. Furthermore some basic principles of the Unitarism (Socinianism) and concepts of the Anabaptists in Silesia are described, the latter especially in their connection to the Socinians. Since 1526/27 Anabaptists - led by B. Hubmaier, O. Glaidt, S. Froschauer, A. Fischer, G. Ascherham a.o. - have settled in Breslau and in the areas around Glogau and Liegnitz. Approximately since 1538 no Anabaptists have been in Silesia anymore, they have affiliated to the Antitrinitarism in Poland since 1562. From the second half of the 16th to the first half of the 17th century many German Socinians went to Poland and operated there (e.g. V. Schmalz, J. Völkel, M. Ruar). Among the theorists, who worked in Silesia resp. who came from there, are counted J. Felbinger, M Scheffer (Schäfer), Th. Pisecki, A. Dudith, G. and D. Vechner, A. Wissowatius, Pater Matthias, S. Pistorius, G. Manlius, J. Licinius, M. Seidel, J. Pastorius von Hirtenberg and others. The connection between the Socinians and the Bohemian Brothers (J. A. Comenius) is mentioned, as a Cryptosocinianism at the "Akademisches Gymnasium" in Beuthen/Oder. In 1663 the Socinians held a synod in Kreuzberg.
Wollgast
Siegfried
S
D005061:Europe, Eastern; D006663:Historiography; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D012067:Religion / Q000266:history*