| Abstract [eng] |
Up to 1730 Prussian Lithuanian Lutheran pastors used manuscript agendas or liturgical texts published in hymnals and catechisms. These texts were translated from the German-language Prussian agendas printed in 1544, 1558, and 1568. In 1549 Martynas Mažvydas (Martin Moswidius) published his first rhythmic setting of the Ambrosian hymn ‘Te Deum laudamus’, and in 1559 he published the form for Holy Baptism, Forma Chrikstima. The most important of his liturgical works was the two-volume hymnal Gesmes Chriksczoniskas (Christian Hymns) which appeared in 1566 and 1570. Both volumes were published by Baltramiejus Vilentas (Bartholomäus Willentus). It included such parts of the Divine Service as the Introits, ‘Kyrie’, ‘Gloria in excelsis’ with ‘Laudamus’, versicles and responses, collects, sequences, a versified setting of the Nicene Creed, the Litany, and other liturgical materials needed for the Lutheran Mass, Matins, and Vespers. All that was lacking was the Liturgy of the Sacrament, which in Prussia included a Paraphrase of the Our Father, an Exhortation to communicants, the Consecratory Words of Christ over the bread and wine, the Collect of Thanksgiving, and the final Benediction. Mažvydas had translated this setting into Lithuanian as well, but it did not appear in print until 1589 when it was published by Jonas Bretkūnas (Johann Bretke) in his hymnal Giesmes Duchaunas (Spiritual Hymns). In 1579 Baltramiejus Vilentas published the Enchiridion, i. e., Luther’s Small Catechism, which included Luther’s forms for Marriage and Baptism. That same year, 1579, he published in Lithuanian a book of pericopes, Euangelias bei Epistolas (Gospels and Epistles), which included readings for every Sunday and feast day. It was through the contributions of Mažvydas and his co-workers that the Lithuanian language became a liturgical language, an officially recognized language throughout the duchy. [...]. |
