The decree Recessus Generalis (1639) on inspecting Įsrutis (Insterburg) county churches and schools: Its importance for development of Lithuanian writings and Danielius Kleinas, who implemented the decree Cover Image

Įsruties apskrities bažnyčių ir mokyklų vizitacijos potvarkio Recessus generalis (1639) reikšmė lietuvių raštijai ir jo vykdytojas Danielius Kleinas
The decree Recessus Generalis (1639) on inspecting Įsrutis (Insterburg) county churches and schools: Its importance for development of Lithuanian writings and Danielius Kleinas, who implemented the decree

Author(s): Liucija Citavičiūtė
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theoretical Linguistics, Comparative Linguistics, Baltic Languages, 17th Century
Published by: Lietuvių Kalbos Institutas
Keywords: Recessus Generalis; Insterburg; decree; Danielius Kleinas; Lithuanian writings;

Summary/Abstract: The year 2008 witnessed the discovery of three documents of utmost importance for the study of Lithuanian writings: 1) Danielius Kleinas’s (1609−1666) letter to Friedrich Wilhelm, Duke of Prussia, on a Lithuanian hymn book, Tilžė (Tilsit), 1659 06 19; GStA PK: XX EM 37 f No 2. Bl. 8r–9v; 2) a letter to Kleinas by Friedrich Wilhelm’s administration on the reviewers’ recommendation to publish Kleinas’s manuscripts, Karaliaučius (Königsberg), 1652 06 20; GStA PK: XX EM 37 f No 2. Bl. 10r; 3) Duke Friedrich Wilhelm’s decree (transcript) that Lithuanian priests should meet Kleinas in Tilžė and discuss issues related to the hymn book, Berlin?, 1659 06 20; GStA PK: XX EM 37 f No 2. Bl. 11r–11v. All the documents were found in the National Secret Archives of Prussian Cultural Heritage in Berlin (Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz). The above documents shed some light on Kleinas’s contribution to the development of the Lithuanian writings in the 17th century and some circumstances of implementing the General Decree (Recessus Generalis) of 1639 and its section On Additional Measures. Kleinas was the key person appointed by the government responsible for the implementation of the above decree. He undertook to edit the manuscript of the Bible translated by Jonas Bretkūnas (Johannes Bretke). Kleinas also started compiling a dictionary and a hymn book. In the meantime, he was writing a grammar, too. He took the initiative to prepare a prayer book in Lithuanian. The grammar was published the first (1653), then its German version came out (1654).

  • Issue Year: 2009
  • Issue No: 11
  • Page Range: 9-62
  • Page Count: 54
  • Language: Lithuanian