Froben Prints and Polemics on Religion in Early Modern Eastern Europe

The article explores the Froben prints stored at Rare Books Department of Library Russian Academy Science (Biblioteka Akademii Nauk) in Saint Petersburg. For three generations 16th century, Basel printers Frobens influenced European intellectual life like no other publishing establishment, contributing to spread early Latin and Greek Christian literature, which determined both development theology humanities. Some copies are conspicuous for history their use is intrinsically connected with various kinds religious polemics 17th century Eastern Europe. focus Froben’s Opera omnia St Augustine underwent censorship monastic libraries Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth century. traces a number belonged notable Polish Protestants centuries (Andrzej Trzecieski, Nicholas Radziwill Black (“Czarny”), Andrzej Dobrzanski). examination connections Protestants, enabled vigorous exchange books Western Europe, bringing, instance, book from library great Dutch cartographer Gerhard Mercator hands provincial pastor, carried out. Finally, addresses marginalia left by Simeon Polotsk on one his books. These throw some new light question Simeon’s genuine theological views. By examining through people religions, assesses as source confessional period.