The First Lithuanian Book

The first Lithuanian book, Mažvydas's Catechismusa Prasty Szadei (The plain words of Catechism) was published in Karaliaučius (Königsberg) 450 years ago, in 1547. The title page did not show the author's name; but the author could be identified from an acrostic in the second introduction. Starting with line three, the first letters of each line add up to Martjnus Masvjdius, or Martynas Mažvydas as he is now known in Lithuania.

The Catechismusa Prasty Szadei had a preface by the chancellor of the University of Königsberg, F. Staphylus. In addressing the ministers of religion in Lithuania, Staphylus indicated that the catechism was not primarily intended for the the semi-literate common people. He also acknowledged with regret that paganism had not been completely eradicated from Lithuania, where the people were still worshipping the gods Perkūnas, Laukosargis and Žemėpatis.

Martynas Mažvydas was a graduate of the University of Königsberg (1548). He worked as the pastor of Ragainė from 1548 to his death in 1563. Mažvydas also prepared a 2-volume hymnal and translated the rites for baptism and a paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer.

To mark this anniversary, 1997 has been named the Year of the Lithuanian Book. More details are available on Internet in English, Lithuanian and German:

http://daugenis.mch.mii.lt/atspindziai/

– Acknowledgements: Encyclopedia Lituanica, Kaunas District Public Library, Nerutė Kligienė, D. Gergaraitė (Vilnius).

In: Lithuanian Papers. Annual Journal of the Lithuanian Studies
Society at the University of Tasmania.
Vol. 11- 1997, p.19.