Lelio Sozzini

Lelio Francesco Maria Sozzini, also Sozini or Socini (* 1525 in Siena, † May 4, 1562 in Zurich ) was an Italian humanist and Unitarian theologian. After him and his nephew Fausto Sozzini of Socinianism is named.

After studying law, he stood with leading humanists in conjunction, read Cicero and post-Aristotelian writings and devoted himself to theological research that led him to doubt the doctrine of the Trinity. He mastered ancient Greek, Hebrew and Arabic. 1546/47 he was the chairman of the Collegia Vice Tina, an association of Antitrinitariern in Venice. In 1547 he had to leave because of Italy. Aided by his wealthy father, he traveled to France, England, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany. Here he met several reformers, as in Zurich, Heinrich Bullinger, with him despite theological differences, a close friendship, and in Wittenberg Philipp Melanchthon. Initiated by the Consensus Tigurinus, he dealt with the question of the sacraments. Although inter alia, he in the doctrine of predestination did not share the view of the Swiss Reformers, he traveled several times in their behalf, including twice to Poland ( 1555 and 1558 ).

Although he was in Switzerland suspected to be anti-Trinitarians, could he but by the great caution in his statements other than Michael Servetus, a Protestant condemnation as a heretic spared. In Italy, his entire thereat property was confiscated by the Inquisition. Even his brothers and his nephew fled Italy after they were suspected there as a Lutheran. 1562 Sozzini died in Zurich. Except for a few fragments he left no writings.