Matthias von Jagow
Encyclopedia
Matthias von Jagow was a Bishop of Brandenburg and reformer in Brandenburg.
. He studied theology
and law and was for a while, Dean
of the nunnery at Spandau
. In 1527, Jagow was elected as bishop of Brandenburg, as successor of Hieronymus Schulz and Dietrich V of Hardenberg, two determined opponents of Martin Luther
. His election was confirmed by the pope in 1532, subject to the condition that he had to be ordinated first. Jagow, who had only received ordination to subdeacon
, did not comply with this condition.
Although convinced of the need for ecclesiastical reform
, he contented himself during the lifetime of anti-reform Elector
Joachim I
with the redress of abuses and the improvement of clergy
. As the most influential advisor of his successor, Joachim II, von Jagow convinced Joachim II to convert to Lutheranism
and presented the communion under both kinds
to him on 1 November 1539, and to the magistrate of Berlin on 2 November. In 1541 led the first church visitation in the Mark Brandenburg, during which the Reformation
was carried through. He married in 1541. Around 1535, he had a bishop's cap constructed on top of the Bergfried
of his residence Ziesar Castle, as a sign of its being used by the church.
He died in 1544 in Ziesar
.
designed a bust of von Jagow as a secondary character in the memorial of Joachim II in memorial group 20 on the Siegesallee
in Berlin, whose central theme was a depiction of the Reformation. Magnussen presented the bishop as a bearded, elderly man with a decorative raised collar. Since no portrait was available, Magnussen asked Emperor William II
to model instead of von Jagow, arguing:
The emperor denied the request.
Life and work
He was a member of the old noble von Jagow family from the AltmarkAltmark
The Altmark is a historic region in Germany, comprising the northern third of Saxony-Anhalt. As the initial territory of the Brandenburg margraves, it is sometimes referred to as the "Cradle of Prussia", as by Otto von Bismarck, a native from Schönhausen near Stendal.- Geography :The Altmark is...
. He studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and law and was for a while, Dean
Dean (religion)
A dean, in a church context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church.-Anglican Communion:...
of the nunnery at Spandau
Spandau (locality)
Spandau is a locality of Berlin in the homonymous borough of Spandau. The historic city is situated, for the most part, on the western banks of the Havel river. As of 2008 the estimated population of Spandau was 33,433.-Position:...
. In 1527, Jagow was elected as bishop of Brandenburg, as successor of Hieronymus Schulz and Dietrich V of Hardenberg, two determined opponents of Martin Luther
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...
. His election was confirmed by the pope in 1532, subject to the condition that he had to be ordinated first. Jagow, who had only received ordination to subdeacon
Subdeacon
-Subdeacons in the Orthodox Church:A subdeacon or hypodeacon is the highest of the minor orders of clergy in the Orthodox Church. This order is higher than the reader and lower than the deacon.-Canonical Discipline:...
, did not comply with this condition.
Although convinced of the need for ecclesiastical reform
Reform
Reform means to put or change into an improved form or condition; to amend or improve by change of color or removal of faults or abuses, beneficial change, more specifically, reversion to a pure original state, to repair, restore or to correct....
, he contented himself during the lifetime of anti-reform Elector
Elector
Elector may refer to:* Prince-elector or elector, a member of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire, having the function of electing the Holy Roman Emperors...
Joachim I
Joachim I, Elector of Brandenburg
Joachim I Nestor was a Prince-elector of the Margraviate of Brandenburg . A member of the House of Hohenzollern, his nickname was taken from King Nestor of Greek mythology.- Biography :...
with the redress of abuses and the improvement of clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
. As the most influential advisor of his successor, Joachim II, von Jagow convinced Joachim II to convert to Lutheranism
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
and presented the communion under both kinds
Communion under both kinds
Communion under both kinds in Roman Catholicism is the reception under both "species" of the Eucharist.-Doctrine:...
to him on 1 November 1539, and to the magistrate of Berlin on 2 November. In 1541 led the first church visitation in the Mark Brandenburg, during which the Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
was carried through. He married in 1541. Around 1535, he had a bishop's cap constructed on top of the Bergfried
Bergfried
A bergfried is a tall tower typically found in medieval castles in German-speaking countries . Its defensive function is to some extent similar to that of a keep or donjon in English or French castles...
of his residence Ziesar Castle, as a sign of its being used by the church.
He died in 1544 in Ziesar
Ziesar
Ziesar is a town in the Potsdam-Mittelmark district, in Brandenburg, Germany. It is situated 25 km southwest of the town of Brandenburg....
.
Memorial bust in the Siegesallee
Sculptor Harro MagnussenHarro Magnussen
Harro Magnussen was a German sculptor from Hamburg, Germany. Magnussen was the son of graphic artist Christian Carl Magnussen, and received his early training in drawing and wood carving from his father. In 1882 Magnussen enrolled in the Munich Academy where he studied painting...
designed a bust of von Jagow as a secondary character in the memorial of Joachim II in memorial group 20 on the Siegesallee
Siegesallee
The Siegesallee was a broad boulevard in Berlin, Germany. About 750 m in length, it ran northwards through the Tiergarten park from Kemperplatz , to Königsplatz, in which stood the Berlin Victory Column, in its original position in front of the Reichstag The Siegesallee (German for "Victory...
in Berlin, whose central theme was a depiction of the Reformation. Magnussen presented the bishop as a bearded, elderly man with a decorative raised collar. Since no portrait was available, Magnussen asked Emperor William II
William II, German Emperor
Wilhelm II was the last German Emperor and King of Prussia, ruling the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 15 June 1888 to 9 November 1918. He was a grandson of the British Queen Victoria and related to many monarchs and princes of Europe...
to model instead of von Jagow, arguing:
- I dare to make this suggestion because in Johann Sebastian Bach as a minor character in Frederick the Great so far is create a similar example, when Bach was not a Brandenburg.
The emperor denied the request.