Antistes

The Antistes of Zurich from Zwingli to Nüscheler

Antistes (from Latin anti "before" and sto "stand") was from the 16th to the 19th century the title of the head of the church in the Reformed Churches in Switzerland. It was the highest office in churches with synodal church governance.

The word was used first in 1525 as an unofficial title of honor for Huldrych Zwingli in Zurich, then 1530 for Johannes Oecolampadius in Basel and 1532 for Heinrich Bullinger in Zurich.

The antistes was elected by the great council (the parliament) of the city and held besides this office also a pastorship of one of the main churches.

The antistes had to be an ordained minister. He was the official representative of the church. He was presiding the synod, and the theological examinations of candidates for the office of pastor. His direct rights were very limited, but a man with high leadership capabilities like Zwingli or Bullinger could exert a great influence on the church in this office.

In the late 19th century the title was replaced by other office designations, e.g. church president or president of the church council.

Antistes of Zurich Huldrych Zwingli (1525–1532) Heinrich Bullinger (1532–1575) Rudolph Gualther (1575–1585)[1] Ludwig Lavater (1585–1586)[2] Johann Rudolph Stumpf (1586–1592)[3] Burkhard Leeman (1592–1613)[4] Johann Jakob Breitinger (Antistes) (1613–1645)[5] Johann Jacob Irminger (1645–1649)[6] Johann Jacob Ulrich (1649–1668)[6] Kaspar Waser (1668–1677)[7] Johann Jacob Muller (1677–1680)[8] Johann Henry Erni (1680–1688)[8] Antonius Klinger (1688–1713)[8] Peter Zeller (1713–1718)[9] Johann Ludwig Nüscheler (1718–1737)[9] Johann Conrad Wirz (1737–1769)[10] Johann Rudolph Ulrich (1769–1795)[11] Johann Jacob Hess (1795–1828)[12]

Antistes of Basel Johannes Oecolampadius (1530–1531) Oswald Myconius (1531–1552)[13] Ambrosius Blarer (1552–1553)[13] Simon Sulzer (1553–1585)[13] Johann Jakob Grynaeus (1585–1618)[14] Johannes Wolleb (1618–1629)[15] Theodor Zwinger the Younger (1630–1654)[16] Lucas Gernler (1656–1675)[17] Peter Werenfels (1675–1703)[18] Hieronymus Falkeisen (1816-?) Antistes of Schaffhausen Johann Conrad Ulmer (1569–1570)[19]

References

1. Good 1913, p. 7.
2. Good 1913, p. 12.
3. Good 1913, p. 14.
4. Good 1913, p. 16.
5. Good 1913, p. 18.
6. Good 1913, p. 137.
7. Good 1913, p. 143.
8. Good 1913, p. 185.
9. Good 1913, p. 187.
10. Good 1913, p. 201.
11. Good 1913, p. 206.
12. Good 1913, p. 236.
13. Good 1913, p. 57.
14. Good 1913, p. 64.
15. Good 1913, p. 146.
16. Good 1913, p. 147.
17. Good 1913, p. 149.
18. Good 1913, p. 171.
19. Good 1913, p. 69.

Bibliography

• Good, James Issac (1913). History of the Swiss Reformed Church since the Reformation. Philadelphia: Publication and Sunday School Board of the Reformed Church in the United States.
• Antistes in the Historical Lexicon of Switzerland (in German)