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Pierre Viret (1509/1510 – 4 April 1571) was a Swiss Reformed theologian,
evangelist Evangelist may refer to: Religion * Four Evangelists, the authors of the canonical Christian Gospels * Evangelism, publicly preaching the Gospel with the intention of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ * Evangelist (Anglican Church), a co ...
and Protestant reformer.


Early life

Pierre Viret was born in 1509 or 1510 in
Orbe Orbe (; la, Urba; older german: Orbach, ; frp, Orba) is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Vaud. It was the seat of the former district of Orbe and is now part of the district of Jura-Nord Vaudois. History Orbe is first mentioned about 2 ...
, then in the
Barony of Vaud The Barony of Vaud was an appanage of the County of Savoy, corresponding roughly to the modern Canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It was created by a process of acquisition on the part of a younger brother of the reigning count beginning in 1234 and cu ...
, now in the
canton of Vaud Vaud ( ; french: (Canton de) Vaud, ; german: (Kanton) Waadt, or ), more formally the canton of Vaud, is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of ten districts and its capital city is Lausanne. Its coat of arms ...
, Switzerland. He was the son of Guillaume Viret, a tailor and shearer. After attending school in his hometown, Viret studied at the
Collège de Montaigu The Collège de Montaigu was one of the constituent colleges of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Paris. History The college, originally called Collège des Aicelins, was founded in 1314 by Gilles I Aycelin de Montaigu, Archbishop of Narbo ...
of the
University of Paris , image_name = Coat of arms of the University of Paris.svg , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of Arms , latin_name = Universitas magistrorum et scholarium Parisiensis , motto = ''Hic et ubique terrarum'' (Latin) , mottoeng = Here and a ...
, where he came in contact with and converted to the Reformed faith. He returned to Orbe in 1531 to escape the persecutions in Paris.'Book V: Struggles of the Reformation, Chapter III: A New Reformer and an Image-Breaker (1531)', in J.H. Merle d'Aubigné (translated by W.L.R. Cates), ''History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin'', 8 volumes (Longmans, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, London 1863-1878), Vol III: France, Switzerland, Geneva (1864), pp. 262-7
at Project Gutenberg
See also reprint, (Sprinkle Publications, Harrisonburg, VA, 2000).


Preaching

William Farel, a Protestant preacher, called Viret to the ministry when he returned to Orbe. On 6 May 1531, Viret preached his first sermon. His preaching was received with astonishment and acclamation, and many were soon converted to the Reformed Faith, including Viret's parents. He initially preached in Orbe and
Grandson Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Ideall ...
, and later in
Payerne Payerne (; frp, Payèrna) is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Vaud. It was the seat of the district of Payerne, and is now part of the district of Broye-Vully. The German name ''Peterlingen'' for the town is out of use. History The earl ...
,
Neuchâtel , neighboring_municipalities= Auvernier, Boudry, Chabrey (VD), Colombier, Cressier, Cudrefin (VD), Delley-Portalban (FR), Enges, Fenin-Vilars-Saules, Hauterive, Saint-Blaise, Savagnier , twintowns = Aarau (Switzerland), Besançon (Fra ...
and
Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Situa ...
before undertaking missionary tours in France, where he preached to crowds of thousands in
Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. Si ...
,
Orléans Orléans (;"Orleans"
(US) and
Avignon Avignon (, ; ; oc, Avinhon, label= Provençal or , ; la, Avenio) is the prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of Southeastern France. Located on the left bank of the river Rhône, the commune had ...
,
Montauban Montauban (, ; oc, Montalban ) is a commune in the Tarn-et-Garonne department, region of Occitania, Southern France. It is the capital of the department and lies north of Toulouse. Montauban is the most populated town in Tarn-et-Garonne, ...
, and
Montpellier Montpellier (, , ; oc, Montpelhièr ) is a city in southern France near the Mediterranean Sea. One of the largest urban centres in the region of Occitania, Montpellier is the prefecture of the department of Hérault. In 2018, 290,053 people l ...
. His preaching was sweet and winning, earing him the name of "The Smile of the Reformation." At one time, he was captured by Catholic forces. Viret was considered one of the most popular
French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
-speaking preachers in the 16th century. Above all he was the reformer of the city of Lausanne, where he converted the local population to the Reformed faith. In his time, Lausanne and Geneva became training grounds for Reformation preachers. Among those who studied in Lausanne was the author of the
Belgic Confession The ''Confession of Faith'', popularly known as the Belgic Confession, is a doctrinal standard document to which many of the Reformed churches subscribe. The Confession forms part of the Three Forms of Unity of the Reformed Church, which are still ...
, Guy de Brès. While at Lausanne, Viret contributed to the foundation of a school of theology (which would become the
University of Lausanne The University of Lausanne (UNIL; french: links=no, Université de Lausanne) in Lausanne, Switzerland was founded in 1537 as a school of Protestant theology, before being made a university in 1890. The university is the second oldest in Switzer ...
) in 1537, where he worked as a professor. In 1559, along with most of the academic staff, Viret resigned his seat over disagreements with the
Bernese Bernese is the adjectival form for the canton of Bern or for Bern. Bernese may also refer to: * Bernese German, a Swiss German dialect of Alemannic origin generally spoken in the canton of Bern and its capital, and in some neighbouring regions * ...
authorities and moved to Geneva. He and other relocated professors and students from the Lausanne school soon became the foundation of the Academy of Geneva.Michael W. Bruening, ''Calvinism’s First Battleground: Conflict and Reform in the Pays de Vaud, 1528-1559'' (Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 2005), page 254 In 1561, Viret moved to
Southern France Southern France, also known as the South of France or colloquially in French as , is a defined geographical area consisting of the regions of France that border the Atlantic Ocean south of the Marais Poitevin,Louis Papy, ''Le midi atlantique'', A ...
, possibly due to health reasons. After serving as a pastor in
Nîmes Nîmes ( , ; oc, Nimes ; Latin: ''Nemausus'') is the prefecture of the Gard department in the Occitanie region of Southern France. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and Cévennes, the commune of Nîmes has an estimated population of ...
and
Montpellier Montpellier (, , ; oc, Montpelhièr ) is a city in southern France near the Mediterranean Sea. One of the largest urban centres in the region of Occitania, Montpellier is the prefecture of the department of Hérault. In 2018, 290,053 people l ...
, he was called to
Lyon Lyon,, ; Occitan: ''Lion'', hist. ''Lionés'' also spelled in English as Lyons, is the third-largest city and second-largest metropolitan area of France. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône, to the northwest of ...
, in 1563, to preside a
synod A synod () is a council of a Christian denomination, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. The word '' synod'' comes from the meaning "assembly" or "meeting" and is analogous with the Latin word mean ...
of the Reformed churches of France. Expelled from the city two years later, in 1567 he accepted an invite from
Jeanne d'Albret Jeanne d'Albret ( Basque: ''Joana Albretekoa''; Occitan: ''Joana de Labrit''; 16 November 1528 – 9 June 1572), also known as Jeanne III, was Queen of Navarre from 1555 to 1572. Jeanne was the daughter of Henry II of Navarre and Margar ...
, Queen of
Navarre Navarre (; es, Navarra ; eu, Nafarroa ), officially the Chartered Community of Navarre ( es, Comunidad Foral de Navarra, links=no ; eu, Nafarroako Foru Komunitatea, links=no ), is a foral autonomous community and province in northern Spain, ...
, to introduce the Reformation to the
Béarn The Béarn (; ; oc, Bearn or ''Biarn''; eu, Bearno or ''Biarno''; or ''Bearnia'') is one of the traditional provinces of France, located in the Pyrenees mountains and in the plain at their feet, in southwest France. Along with the three B ...
. He died in Bellocq or
Orthez Orthez (; eu, Ortheze; oc, Ortès, ) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, and region of New Aquitaine, southwestern France. It lies 40 km NW of Pau on the Southern railway to Bayonne. The town also encompasses the sm ...
in 1571.


Translated works

Viret authored over fifty books, many of which have been translated into English, including: * ''Anchor of the Soul: An Exposition of the Apostles Creed'' * ''The Catechism of Pierre Viret'' * ''The Christian and the Magistrate: Roles, Responsibilities, and Jurisdictions'' * ''Exposition of the Ten Commandments'' * ''His Glorious Bride'' * ''Jesus Christ, the Believer’s Comfort and Joy'' * ''Letters of Comfort to the Persecuted Church'' * ''Marvelous Trinity'' * ''Simple Exposition of the Christian Faith''


Decalogue Commentary Series

* ''No Other God'' * ''Nothing Like God'' * ''Taking His Name in Vain'' * ''Remember the Sabbath Day'' * ''Honor thy Father and Mother'' * ''Thou Shalt Not Kill: A Plea for Life'' * ''Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery'' * ''Thou Shalt Not Steal'' * ''Defend the Truth'' * ''Thou Shalt Not Covet''


References


Sources

(in order of publication) * (Crespin, J.), ''Procédures Tenues à l'Endroit de Ceux de la Réligion du Pais-Bas'' (Procedures Held With Regard to those of the Religion of the Netherlands) (Jean Crespin, Geneva 1568) * Merle d'Aubigné, J.H. (translated by W.L.R. Cates), ''History of the Reformation in Europe in the Time of Calvin'', 8 volumes (Longmans, Green, Longman, Roberts, and Green, London 1863-1878), Vol III: France, Switzerland, Geneva (1864), at pp. 262-76 (Extract a
website of Pierre Viret Association
* Cart, J., ''Pierre Viret, le Réformateur Vaudois, Biographie Populaire'' (Librairie Meyer, Lausanne 1864)
Read at Google
* Godet, P., ''Pierre Viret'' (F. Payot, Lausanne 1892) (read a
Google
* Doumergue, E., ''Lausanne au temps de la Réformation: avec une introduction sur Pierre Viret et Orbe, sa ville natale, et un appendice sur les deux premiers imprimeurs protestants de Lausanne'' (Georges Bridel et Cie., Lausanne 1903) * Barnaud, J., ''Pierre Viret, Sa Vie et Son Oeuvre (1511-1571)'' (G. Carayol, Saint-Amans (Tarn) 1911) * Schnetzler, C., Vuilleumier, H., and Schroeder, A. (eds), ''Pierre Viret d'après lui-même : pages extraites des oeuvres du Réformateur à l'occasion du 4e- centenaire de sa naissance'' (Georges Bridel et Cie., Lausanne 1911) * ''Le Jubilé de Pierre Viret : Lausanne et Orbe : 23-26 octobre 1911'' (Eglise Nationale Evangélique Réformée du Canton de Vaud. Commission Synodale, 1911) * H. Vuilleumier, ''Notre Pierre Viret'' (Payot, Lausanne 1911) * Schaff, P., 'Pierre Viret and the Reformation in Lausanne', in ''History of the Christian Church'', 8 Volumes (C. Scribner's Sons, New York 1916-1923), VIII: The Swiss Reformation, 1519-1605, at pp. 250-52 (Extract a
website of Pierre Viret Association
* Vuilleumier, H., ''Histoire de l'Eglise Réformée du Pays de Vaud sous Régime Bernois'', 4 volumes (Editions la Concorde, Lausanne 1927) * Vincent, G., Rhyn, G. and Wüst, P., ''Pierre Viret, un Vaudois se lève : Quelques traits d'une grande histoire rassemblés pour la jeunesse Vaudoise à l'occasion du Quatrième Centenaire de la Réformation, 1536-1936'' (Editions la Concorde, Lausanne 1936). * L. Latourette, 'Les dernières années de Pierre Viret (1567-1571)', ''Revue de Théologie et de Philosophie (Lausanne)'' New Series Vol. XXVI (1938), pp. 60-68. * Linder, R.D., ''The Political Ideas of Pierre Viret'', Travaux d'Humanisme et Renaissance, Vol. LXIV (Librairie Droz, Geneva 1964) * Linder, R.D., 'Forgotten reformer', ''Christian History Magazine'', Issue 71, pp. 35-37

* G. Bavaud, ''Le Réformateur Pierre Viret (1511-1571), sa Théologie'', "Histoire et Société" collection, No. 10 (Labor & Fides, Geneva 1986)
Preview at Google
* O. Favre, 'Pierre Viret (1511-1571) et la Discipline Ecclésiastique', (author of M.A. Dissertation 'La discipline ecclésiastique dans la théologie du Réformateur Pierre Viret', Faculty of Reformed Theology, Aix-en-Provence 1993) (Archived a

* Troilo, D.-A., 'L'Œuvre de Pierre Viret: Le problème des sources', ''Bulletin de la Société de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Français (1903-2015)'' Vol. 144: Octobre-Novembre-Décembre 1998 (Librairie Droz, Geneva), pp. 759-790 * 'Viret, Pierre', in H.J. Hillebrand (ed.), ''Oxford Encyclopedia of the Reformation'' (Oxford University Press 1996, 2005 online version) * Berthoud, J.-M., ''Pierre Viret: A Forgotten Giant of the Reformation: The Apologetics, Ethics, and Economics of the Bible'', (Zurich Publishing, 2010) * Sheats, R.A., 'Pierre Viret: The Unknown Reformer', ''Faith For All Of Life Magazine'' (Chalcedon, March/April 2011
Read at Chalcedon Magazine: ResourcesMagazine pdf
* Sheats, R.A., ''Pierre Viret: The Angel of the Reformation'', (Zurich Publishing, 2012) * Crousaz, K., and Solfaroli Camillocci, D. (eds), ''Pierre Viret et la Diffusion de la Réforme'' (Antipodes, Lausanne 2014)


External links



*


Texts at the English language website of the Pierre Viret Association
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Viret, Pierre 1509 births 1510 births 1571 deaths University of Paris alumni University of Lausanne faculty People from Orbe Swiss Protestants Swiss Calvinist and Reformed theologians 16th-century Swiss people 16th-century Calvinist and Reformed theologians Converts to Protestantism