Racovian Catechism

Racovian Catechism a Socinian catechism which was published in Poland in the 17th century. It was prepared by Schmalz, a learned German Socinian who had settled in Poland, and by Moskovzewski, a learned and wealthy nobleman. It derived its name from being published at Racow, a little town in southern Poland, the seat of a famous Socinian school. The catechism was published in Polish and Latin, and afterwards translated into German and English. In 1652 the English parliament declared it to contain matters that are blasphemous, erroneous, and scandalous, and ordered "the sheriffs of London and Middlesex to seize all copies wherever they might be found, and cause them to be burned at the Old Exchange, London, and at the New Palace, Westminster." A new English translation was published in 1817 by Abraham Rees, with a historical introduction. There was also a smaller catechism, drawn up by Schmalz in German, and first published in 1605. SEE CATECHISM; SEE SOCINIANISM.