Stephan of Kolin

Stephan von Kolin (Czech Štěpán z Kolína , also Štěpán Kolínský ; Latin Stephanus de Colonia , also Stephanus Colinensis ; * around 1360 in Kolín ; † 1406 ) was a Bohemian reform theologian and 1397/98 rector of Charles University . He was also known for his preaching at the Prague Bethlehem Chapel and as the author of numerous Latin theological writings.

Life

Stephan, who came from Kolín in East Bohemia, is documented as a master of liberal arts at Charles University in 1383 . In 1392 he was elected dean of the artist faculty and in 1396 acquired the academic degree of baccalaureus in theology. In the same year he became a preacher at the Bethlehem Chapel. In a sermon with the title “Induite novum hominem” given as early as 1395, he demanded that the priests, among other things, lead a saintly way of life. 1397/98 he held the post of rector of Charles University. In 1402 he handed over the office of preacher at the Bethlemenskapelle to his pupil Jan Hus . It was not until 1403 that he took his master's degree in theology.

Although he was a supporter of the English reformer John Wyclif , he continued to adhere to the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation . In this regard, he probably also influenced his student Jan Hus, who had also not accepted Wyclif's theory of remanence.

In his extensive literary activity, Stephan wrote several theological writings and collections of sermons that endeavor to reform and prove his extensive education. His treatise “Confessionale” on confession was best known. It is preserved in several manuscripts that were soon translated into German.

Works (selection)

• Confessionale (treatise on confession)
• Homo quidam fecit magnam cenam (Synodal sermon from 1403)
• Lectura sper Yzaiam prophetam (prophecy of Isaiah)
• Planctus cleri (attributed to)
• De plurabilitate beneficiorum (attributed to)

literature

• Jana Nechutová: The Latin Literature of the Middle Ages in Bohemia . Böhlau Verlag , Cologne 2007, ISBN 978-3-412-20070-1 , pp. 252, 267, 281 and 283f.
• Jana Nechutová: Reform and penance preacher from Waldhauser to Hus . In: Winfried Eberhard: Church reform impulses of the 14./15. Century in East Central Europe . Böhlau, Köln, Weimar 2006, ISBN 3-412-26105-X , pp. 240 and 242.