Uppsala Synod
Encyclopedia
The Uppsala Synod in 1593 was the most important synod
of the Lutheran Church of Sweden
. Sweden had gone through its Protestant Reformation
and broken with Roman Catholicism in the 1520s, but an official confession of faith
had never been declared.
The synod was summoned to Uppsala
by Duke Charles
, heir to the Swedish throne. Four bishop
s and over 300 priests were also present. The synod was opened on March 1, by Nils Göransson Gyllenstierna, and on the following day Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis
, a professor of theology
at the Uppsala University
, was elected chairman.
By March 5, the synod had decided to declare the Holy Scripture the sole guideline for religion. The three creed
s—the (Apostles'
, the Nicene
, and the Athanasian
)—were officially recognized, and the Lutheran Augsburg Confession
(1530) was adopted in its original form.
After the unanimous acceptance of the unaltered Augsburg Confession, Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis
, who was presiding, exclaimed, "Now Sweden is one man, and we all have one Lord and God."
Another important decision was that only the Lutheran doctrine was to be allowed; Calvinism
, Catholicism
, and Zwingliism were all officially banned. The Catholic-inclined liturgy
of King John III of Sweden
(1537–1592) was also rejected.
On March 15, Abraham Angermannus
was elected Archbishop of Uppsala
.
The meeting closed on March 20, after its decrees were signed—first by Duke Charles, members of the council, and bishops, and then by representatives from all over the country.
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
of the Lutheran Church of Sweden
Church of Sweden
The Church of Sweden is the largest Christian church in Sweden. The church professes the Lutheran faith and is a member of the Porvoo Communion. With 6,589,769 baptized members, it is the largest Lutheran church in the world, although combined, there are more Lutherans in the member churches of...
. Sweden had gone through its Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
and broken with Roman Catholicism in the 1520s, but an official confession of faith
Confession of Faith
A Confession of Faith is a statement of doctrine very similar to a creed, but usually longer and polemical, as well as didactic.Confessions of Faith are in the main, though not exclusively, associated with Protestantism...
had never been declared.
The synod was summoned to Uppsala
Uppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
by Duke Charles
Charles IX of Sweden
Charles IX of Sweden also Carl, was King of Sweden from 1604 until his death. He was the youngest son of King Gustav I of Sweden and his second wife, Margaret Leijonhufvud, brother of Eric XIV and John III of Sweden, and uncle of Sigismund III Vasa king of both Sweden and Poland...
, heir to the Swedish throne. Four bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s and over 300 priests were also present. The synod was opened on March 1, by Nils Göransson Gyllenstierna, and on the following day Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis
Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis
Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis was Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden 1599–1600. He was appointed in place of Abraham Angermannus who had been put in prison, but before getting inducted he died of a sickness, about 50 years old.In his younger days he had been a student at the University of...
, a professor of 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...
at the Uppsala University
Uppsala University
Uppsala University is a research university in Uppsala, Sweden, and is the oldest university in Scandinavia, founded in 1477. It consistently ranks among the best universities in Northern Europe in international rankings and is generally considered one of the most prestigious institutions of...
, was elected chairman.
By March 5, the synod had decided to declare the Holy Scripture the sole guideline for religion. The three creed
Creed
A creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community—and is often recited as part of a religious service. When the statement of faith is longer and polemical, as well as didactic, it is not called a creed but a Confession of faith...
s—the (Apostles'
Apostles' Creed
The Apostles' Creed , sometimes titled Symbol of the Apostles, is an early statement of Christian belief, a creed or "symbol"...
, the Nicene
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
, and the Athanasian
Athanasian Creed
The Athanasian Creed is a Christian statement of belief, focusing on Trinitarian doctrine and Christology. The Latin name of the creed, Quicumque vult, is taken from the opening words, "Whosoever wishes." The Athanasian Creed has been used by Christian churches since the sixth century...
)—were officially recognized, and the Lutheran Augsburg Confession
Augsburg Confession
The Augsburg Confession, also known as the "Augustana" from its Latin name, Confessio Augustana, is the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Lutheran reformation...
(1530) was adopted in its original form.
After the unanimous acceptance of the unaltered Augsburg Confession, Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis
Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis
Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis was Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden 1599–1600. He was appointed in place of Abraham Angermannus who had been put in prison, but before getting inducted he died of a sickness, about 50 years old.In his younger days he had been a student at the University of...
, who was presiding, exclaimed, "Now Sweden is one man, and we all have one Lord and God."
Another important decision was that only the Lutheran doctrine was to be allowed; Calvinism
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
, Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
, and Zwingliism were all officially banned. The Catholic-inclined liturgy
Liturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
of King John III of Sweden
John III of Sweden
-Family:John married his first wife, Catherine Jagellonica of Poland , house of Jagiello, in Vilnius on 4 October 1562. In Sweden, she is known as Katarina Jagellonica. She was the sister of king Sigismund II Augustus of Poland...
(1537–1592) was also rejected.
On March 15, Abraham Angermannus
Abraham Angermannus
Abraham Andersson, usually known under the Latin form of his name, Abrahamus Andreæ Angermannus or just Abraham Angermannus was the fourth Lutheran Archbishop of Uppsala in the Church of Sweden from 1593 to 1599...
was elected Archbishop of Uppsala
Archbishop of Uppsala
The Archbishop of Uppsala has been the primate in Sweden in an unbroken succession since 1164, first during the Catholic era, and from the 1530s and onward under the Lutheran church.- Historical overview :...
.
The meeting closed on March 20, after its decrees were signed—first by Duke Charles, members of the council, and bishops, and then by representatives from all over the country.