Komander, Johann

(Dosfmnann), a German theologian of the Reformation period, became interested in the cause of the Reformers while pursuing his studies at Zurich, and was highly prized as a friend by Zwingle, and after his secession from the Romish Church (in 1525), in which he had been priest, became the chief support of the Reformation in the Biinden region. Here the worthlessness of the clergy, who were often ignorant of the language of the people, and guilty of gross immorality, necessitated reform, for which a people of truly independent spirit were also ready. Many prominent laymen early favored the movement, particularly Jacob Salzmann, at Chur. At the Bundestag of 1524, held at Hanz, a complaint, set forth in an act of eighteen articles, was entered against the corruptions of the Church, and especially the malpractices of the clergy. In accord with the spirit of this "Artikelbrief," which was adopted by the Assembly, and remained for centuries the fundamental law in Graubunden, Komander was appointed pastor at St. Martin's Church. of which position the former incumbent confessed himself incapable, and he there began and continued his labors for thirty-three years. He met bitter opposition and yet encouraging success. Zwingle, especially, sent a letter of congratulation in January, 1525, addressed to the "three Rhmetian Federations." The most troublesome obstacles to the movement were the Anabaptists, whom the Papists themselves encouraged for the sake of creating division. Brought under accusation in the Bundestag of 1525, Komander asked opportunity for a public defence of his position, which he made at Ilanz in January, 1526, in eighteen theses. He could only with difficulty secure a fair and orderly debate, but finally brought all his opponents to acknowledge his first thesis, viz. "That the Church is born of the Word of God, and must abide by it alone." In the whole affair the learning of the Reformers was confessed; seven priests were won to the evangelical faith, and the accusations were not established. Komander administered the Lord's Supper in the evangelical form on Easter of 1526, and had the images removed. The Bundestag of this year granted full liberty and protection of worship under the new form. Against the intrigues of the Catholic bishop twenty new reform articles were established. The abbot Schlegel, former accuser of Komander, was beheaded for connivance with the declared enemies of the Confederacy, and the bishop fled. Komander, in order more perfectly to organize the reform movement, secured the formation of a synod that should have authority in the examination and appointment of pastors. A disputation sustained at Sus, in the Eugadine, in 1537, in the Romance language, chiefly by Gallienus, the fast friend of Komander, and Blasius his colleague, where the eighteen theses defended by Kormander at Ilanz were adopted, secured the entire prevalence of the reform in the Eugadine. Kornander prepared a catechism, and succeeded, with the aid of Bullinger's influence, in establishing a gymnasium at Chur in 1543. He was deeply interested for the Italians of the southern districts, but found his work with them chiefly a matter of dispute on sceptical points. The Rhemtian Confession was adopted by the synod with particular reference to the errors of the Italians. Komander rejoiced at the sudden end of the Council of Trent in 1552. In the following year he had to counteract the pope's endeavors to bring in the Inquisition. Prostrated by the plague of 1550, which carried off 1500 of the population of Chur, he never recovered full strength, though he worked on till his death early in 1557.- Herzog, Real-Encyklop. s. V.