Veit Dietrich

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Veit Dietrich (copper engraving, 16th century)

Veit Dietrich (also Vitus Theodorus or Vitus Diterichus ; * December 8, 1506 in Nuremberg ; † March 25, 1549 there ) was a German theologian , writer and reformer .

Live and act

Dietrich was the son of a shoemaker in Nuremberg. The boy's talent was soon recognized and wealthy patrons made it possible for him to attend grammar school and Wittenberg University . In March 1522 he was matriculated in Wittenberg . Philipp Melanchthon recognized this student's talent and encouraged him.

Later he became Martin Luther's housemate and close confidante. As such, he accompanied Luther to the Marburg Religious Discussion and stayed with him at the Veste Coburg during the Diet of Augsburg in 1530 . He enjoyed Luther's full confidence. That is why it was used by others, such as Melanchthon, to bring their concerns closer to Luther.

When he obtained his master's degree in 1529 , he taught at the arts faculty . Disputes with Katharina von Bora caused him to leave Wittenberg in 1535. Melanchthon recommended him to Joachim Camerarius the Elder at the University of Tübingen . However, his Nuremberg sponsors met him and offered him a pastor's position at the Sebalduskirche , where he enjoyed particular confidence in the council. Here he married and worked as a popular preacher. When he was offered a professorship from Wittenberg, he turned it down.

Veit Dietrich (copper engraving around 1700)

He remained in familiar contact with Melanchthon, who sometimes urged him to limit his violent polemics. His manner remained simple, haunting and determined. In addition to its edifying effectiveness, his work first concentrated on the publication of Luther's interpretations and some of Melanchthon's treatises. We also owe him the publication of Luther's house postil. The dissemination of his Summaria went furthest , first via the Old Testament, then after 1544 also via the New Testament. This book served as a book of edification in many parishes until the 19th century . Its merits are simplicity and teaching.

In his straightforward and open manner, Dietrich said what the hour demanded and strengthened the weakened members in the contested neighboring communities. At the convent in Schmalkalden he represented his hometown in 1537 when the Schmalkalden articles were published. He also took part in the Regensburg Religious Discussion (1546) . It has proven its worth particularly in shaping the ecclesiastical order. As a preacher he is no less important than as an organizer. In addition to sermons, he has also published current pamphlets. Eventually he was also known for writing hymns.

After the defeat of the Protestants in the Schmalkaldic War , he showed greatness. He did not bow down and openly spoke out against the Augsburg Interim , calling on others to confess. This made him politically suspicious, whereupon the council withdrew his confidence and gave in to his suspension in 1547 .

In 1548 Veit Dietrich hosted the "Luther of Slovenia" for a short time, Primus Truber , who had been excommunicated as a Lutheran theologian by the Ljubljana bishop shortly before . Dietrich found Truber a preacher position in Rothenburg ob der Tauber . Dietrich never saw his suspension lifted. He died in Nuremberg at the age of only 42. His grave is in the Johannisfriedhof (Nuremberg) .

Selection of works

  • Luther's house postil
  • Summaria , on the Old Testament
  • Summaria , on the New Testament

Remembrance day

March 24th in the Evangelical Name Calendar .

literature

Web links

Commons : Veit Dietrich  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Veit Dietrich in the Ecumenical Lexicon of Saints
personal data
SURNAME Dietrich, Veit
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Theodorus, Vitus; Diterichus, Vitus
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German theologian, writer and reformer
DATE OF BIRTH December 8, 1506
PLACE OF BIRTH Nuremberg
DATE OF DEATH March 25, 1549
Place of death Nuremberg