Stanislovas Rapalionis

Stanislaus Rapagelanus, also Lituanus, Lithuanian Stanislovas Rapalionis, Polish: Stanisław Rapajłowicz (* 1485 in Eišiškės, † May 13, 1545 in Königsberg ) was a Lutheran theologian of the Reformation period.

Life

Stanislaus Lituanus, as he is usually called in the sources, came from a Lithuanian aristocratic family and was related to the Lithuanian Bible translators Abraham Culvensis. The meaning of the name Rapagelanus is unclear. His birth, youth and education are in the dark. There is evidence that he has studied in Cracow and obtained the degree of bachelor. As in Poland, the persecution of the Protestants, he will have just as Abraham Culvensis sought refuge in Prussia. Duke Albert I of Brandenburg -Ansbach took him under his fellows and sent him to study in Wittenberg.

On March 22, he enrolled and made rapid progress because of his talent. After he had acquired in 1544 the academic degree of licentiate, he received his doctorate with Theodor Fabricius under Martin Luther's presidency on May 29, 1544 as a doctor of theology. The Duke warned him before to return, but allowed him to go to Johannes Bugenhagen intercession to stay on even during the summer. He lectured in Hebrew and was finally recalled on June 11, 1544 to accept a theological professorship at the Albertus University of Königsberg. Rapagelanus had Bugenhagen and Philipp Melanchthon been close, but Luther also knew him and had invited Dean to his PhD with a special attack. Provided with a letter of Melanchthon he went to Konigsberg and read there first on the Psalms.

As said, gifted, theologically established man who einhielt faithful Wittenberg teaching, and as fair character to Rapagelanus acquired in Königsberg soon respect and reputation. From him there is a treatise De ecclesia, in which he explained the nature of the Church in terms of the Augsburg Confession and the Smalcald Articles. At the opening of the University of Königsberg, he was the first theologian. His lectures have gained great respect and were visited by the Duke himself. A letter to Paul Speratus showed him as educated, judicious theologians of mild direction, who was above all disputes. In the questions concerning the Polish-Lithuanian neighboring territory, he was the bishop of a competent counselor.

With his name the Lithuanian literary history begins. Rapagelanus is the first Lithuanian poet who composed a song Passion in Lithuanian.

In November 1544 Rapagelanus married the daughter of the duke's personal physician Basil ax. A few days after his first defense, on 13 May 1545 Rapagelanus suddenly died, mourned by his students. Johann Briesmann kept him in the cathedral the grave speech.