Catechism of Mikalojus Daukša
The Catechism, or Education Obligatory to Every Christian of Mikalojus Daukša was the first Lithuanian-language book printed in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It was published by the press of Vilnius Jesuit Academy in 1595 with financial support of Bishop Merkelis Giedraitis. The catechism is not an original work but a translation. As such, the work holds little value in terms of content, but is extremely valuable to the study of the Lithuanian language due to its lexical richness. The sole surviving copy is kept at Vilnius University Library.
Title page of the catechism
Merkelis Giedraitis was Bishop of Samogitia from 1576 to 1609. Educated at Protestant universities in the Duchy of Prussia and Germany, he actively combated the Reformation implementing resolutions of the Council of Trent in Samogitia. Born into the princely Giedraičiai family, he inherited a much neglected diocese that was reduced to only about 20 priests. He became known for his devotion and work to end clerical abuses, strengthen churches and schools, and increase the number of priests. Giedraitis invited the Jesuits to Kražiai where the Kražiai College was established already after his death and the Bernadines to Kretinga where they established the first monastery in Samogitia. He sponsored Mikalojus Daukša, who translated and published Catechism (1595) and Postil (1599) in the Lithuanian language—the first Lithuanian books printed within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. He also supported Maciej Stryjkowski, author of the first printed history of Lithuania. In recognition of his efforts, Giedraitis is often referred to as the second baptist of Samogitia.
Portrait of Giedraitis from 1585
Monument to Giedraitis next to the Samogitian Diocese Museum
Title page of the Catechism of Mikalojus Daukša sponsored by Giedraitis – the first Lithuanian-language book printed in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Caskets of Bishops Giedraitis and Józef Arnulf Giedroyć [pl] at Varniai Cathedral