Adolf of Anhalt-Zerbst

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Adolf II von Anhalt-Köthen (born October 16, 1458 in Köthen (Anhalt) , † March 24, 1526 in Merseburg ) was a Roman Catholic bishop of Merseburg and remained one of Luther's opponents until his death .

Life

As the son of Prince Adolf I von Anhalt-Köthen , he moved into the University of Leipzig in 1471 and became its rector in 1475. Although he had decided to enter the clergy, he had a long share in the government of his principality, which he formally renounced until 1508. In 1488 he became provost of the cathedral in Magdeburg , was ordained a priest in 1490 , was accepted as coadjutor by Bishop Thilo von Merseburg in 1507 and succeeded him as bishop in 1514.

His administration of the Merseburg Abbey is considered prudent and prosperous. He also preached and taught. Although he basically agreed with Luther on the doctrine of justification , he refused to intervene in the existing church order. He had Luther's books burned in 1520 and in 1522 forbade reading the reformer's translation of the Bible. In 1523 he persuaded Duke Georg of Saxony to expel the Lutheran Magister Sebastian Fröschel from the city of Leipzig. On May 3, 1525, he had to flee to Leipzig due to Protestant unrest.

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predecessor Office successor
Thilo von Trotha Bishop of Merseburg
1514–1526 		Vincent von Schleinitz
personal data
SURNAME Anhalt-Zerbst, Adolf von
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Bishop of Merseburg
DATE OF BIRTH October 16, 1458
PLACE OF BIRTH Koethen (Anhalt)
DATE OF DEATH March 24, 1526
Place of death Merseburg