Commemoration Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Commemoration

Mikael Agricola, Bishop of Turku, Renewer of the Church, d. 1557

Reflection

Mikael Agricola is recognized as the creator of the Finnish literary language. He was sent by the aged Martinus Skytte, Bishop of Turku, to study under Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon at the University of Wittenberg, where he received his master’s degree in 1539. He returned to Finland, and at the death of Bishop Skytte, was consecrated Bishop of Turku, without Papal approval. He initiated Lutheran reforms, including translating the liturgy of worship into the vernacular. He devised an orthography, which is the basis for modern Finnish spelling, and prepared an ABC book. His prayer book of 1544 was probably his most widely read book. He also prepared a Finnish translation of the New Testament, and he collected and translated a collection of Finnish hymns. On Palm Sunday in 1557, he fell ill returning from a peace negotiation in Russia, and he died that day, not yet fifty years old.

 

Prayer

Gracious God, Thank you for your servants who help to bring your word and who help your people lift their voices in their own native tongues. In Jesus’ name. Amen.