Polemic with Roman Catholicism and Orthodox Church in the “Catechism of Nesvizh” by Szymon Budny

Abstract

The “Catechism of Nesvizh” refers to a very long tradition of this genre. It is; however, the first catechism published in the old Belarusian language. It contains first of all rules of the Calvinist doctrine presented on the basis of three texts important for all Christians: the Decalogue, Our Father prayer and the Creed.   Catechisms were not used for the purpose of a regular faith-related discussion; however, the analysed text contains parts that are a polemic with teaching in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Orthodox Church. Especially the following theses were discussed in great detail: the Harrowing of Hell, celibacy of the clergy, prayers to saints and iconolatry. In this article, I present methods used by the author of the “Catechism of Nesvizh” (Nesvizh – in Polish „Nieśwież” – a place in Poland) – Szymon Budny, while criticizing formal statements contrary to the Calvinist doctrine. I also pay attention to knowledge of both reality and the literature of the Orthodox Church shown by the author of the discussed work as well as to methodological reliability. This can be seen in the light of the fact that Szymon Budny presents his critical attitude towards theological theses rather than towards religious communities authorizing those statements.