Stanislovas Svetkus Rapolionis (Latin:Stanislaus Rapagel(l)anus, Stanislaus Lituanus,Polish:Stanisław Rafajłowicz;c. 1485 or 1500 – 13 May 1545) was aLutheran activist andProtestant reformer from theGrand Duchy of Lithuania. With patronage ofAlbert, Duke of Prussia, he obtained the doctorate oftheology from the ProtestantUniversity of Wittenberg where he studied underMartin Luther andPhilip Melanchthon. After graduation, he became the first professor of theology at the newly establishedUniversity of Königsberg, also known as Albertina. As professor he began working on several Protestant publications and translations, including aBible translation into Polish. It is believed that he also started thefirst translation of the Bible into Lithuanian. Together withAbraomas Kulvietis, Rapolionis was one of the first authors to write in theLithuanian language. While Rapolionis and Kulvietis died early leaving their work unfinished, they laid the foundations for future Lithuanian writers and translators.[1]
Very little is known about Rapolionis' life prior to his studies at theUniversity of Wittenberg in 1542 and most of his early biography is a conjecture.[2] He hailed from a pettyLithuanian noble family from the area ofEišiškės that possibly used theDziałosza coat of arms (image similar to Działosza was added next to his name in a registry at the University of Königsberg).[2] His date of birth is unknown. In 1726,Michael Lilienthal wrote that Rapolionis died at age 60 which would put his date of birth around 1485.[2] However, newer publications usually list his date of birth asc. 1500.[3]
All early biographers of Rapolionis stated that he was aFranciscan friar inVilnius before his conversion toLutheranism possibly around 1525.[2] He was an educated man and earned a living as a private tutor to the nobility. It is believed that Rapolionis gained support from Jonas Stanislovas Bilevičius, aSamogitian nobleman, and prepared a group of students for studies at theUniversity of Kraków, the only university in the region at that time.[2] He and his five students enrolled into the university on 3 August 1528. It is likely thatAbraomas Kulvietis who matriculated on 6 July also belonged to the group.[2] Rapolionis entered his name asStanislovas, son of Jurgis ofRaseiniai,Diocese of Samogitia (Stanislaus Georgy de Rozeny dioecesis Smodiensis) possibly to obscure his identity as he, a former monk, was joining a Catholic university.[2] He graduated with a baccalaureate in 1532 or 1533.[2]
There is no information available on Rapolionis' activities from 1532 to 1542.[2] Possibly he was a tutor to the nobility or taught at a higher school established byAbraomas Kulvietis inVilnius.[4] Grand DukeSigismund I the Old did not support the Reformation and in May 1542 issued an edict onheresy aimed at Kulvietis and other Protestants who could now be tried by the bishop.[5] Many Protestant activists left the Grand Duchy and settled in the LutheranDuchy of Prussia.
Rapolionis received financial support fromDuke Albert of Prussia and enrolled into theUniversity of Wittenberg on 22 March 1542.[2] A surviving advertisement from that time shows that Rapolionis offered private lessons in theHebrew language.[2] He received a doctorate in theology after publicly defending his 28 theses on 23 May 1544.[6] The defense was chaired byMartin Luther (only 13 defenses were chaired by Luther himself during the last decade of his life) and likelyPhilip Melanchthon acted as adoctoral advisor.[7] Rapolionis thesisDie poenitentia (OnRepentance) aboutgood deeds and their impact on the judgement was inspired by theDiet of Regensburg (1541). The defense protocol was written byJohann Stoltz [de] and spread in Lutheran centers (a copy is preserved by theAcademic Library of the University of Latvia).[7] On 29 May Rapolionis was awarded insignia of a doctor of theology (cap, ring, and Bible)[6] andCaspar Creuziger delivered a speechDe dono interpretationis in ecclesia which emphasized the importance of correctly explaining theword of God to lay people.[7] The ceremony was concluded with a public procession through the city and a large feast.[6]
Rapolionis departed toKönigsberg where he participated in the foundation of the Collegium Albertinum, laterUniversity of Königsberg. He became the first head of the Faculty of Theology at the new university.[8] His annual salary was 200 guldens which was the highest salary offered and reflected the importance of his position.[2] He taught theology, Hebrew language, andpsalms.[2] While short and with ahump, Rapolionis became known for his rhetoric abilities and his lectures became popular and were attended by prominent members of the Prussian establishment, including Duke Albert.[1][4]
Rapolionis was professionally active for less than a year. He wrote and published 42 Latin thesisDe ecclesia et eius notis on some of the fundamental features of Lutheranism.[7] Using Biblical arguments, he explained why the Reformed church was opposed to the cult of saints,celibacy of priests,evangelical counsels, theSacrament of Penance,absolution frommortal sins, and other issues. The original edition, published byHans Weinreich, has not survived but the text was republished byHieronymus Mencel [de] in 1558 and 1562.[7]
Rapolinis was also active in translation work. He evaluated the catechism translated byJan Seklucjan into Polish and approved it for use in theBishopric of Pomesania despite some criticism and resistance from the clergy.[7] He worked on a translation of the Bible into Polish.[9] Surviving letters show that Rapolionis corresponded with Bernard Wojewodka, a printer inKraków, about setting up a shop in Königsberg for the purpose of printing the Polish Bible.[2] Rapolinis translated at least one hymn into Lithuanian. It seems that he translated it from the original LatinPatris sapientia, veritas divina instead of using Polish or German translations.[10] It has tenstanzas eight lines each. The hymn was published asGiesme ape kenteghima Jhesaus Christaus amszinoija Diewa sunaus in 1570 in thehymnal ofMartynas Mažvydas and it is the only undisputed surviving text by Rapolionis in the Lithuanian language.[2] Researchers believe that Rapolionis started translating the Bible into Lithuanian,[8] though there is no direct evidence.[2]
In November 1544, Rapolionis married Catherine, daughter ofBasilius Axt [de], the personal physician of the Duke of Prussia.[2] The cost of the wedding was paid by the Duke.[4] In May 1545, Rapolionis suddenly suffered an attack ofapoplexy andparalysis.[2] He died a few days later on 13 May. Duke Albert blamed disagreements and intrigues at the university for his sudden death.[2] Duke Albert personally attended the large funeral ceremony and ordered his body entombed inKönigsberg Cathedral; the funeral sermon was delivered byJohann Briesmann [de]; hiseulogy was written by Bernardus Holtorpius.[2] His 8-lineepitaph started with"Here lies a great man, the pride of theLithuanian nation".[6] The tomb has not survived.[3]
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