Johann Heerman

1585-1647

Born: October 11, 1585, Raudten (near Wohlau), Schlesien (Silesia). Died: February 17, 1647, Lissa, Poland.

Heerman received theological training as a result of a vow his mother made when he was very ill as a child. After ordination, he taught at the university, but in 1607, had to stop after he contracted an eye infection. Four years later, he became a deacon, then the Lutheran pastor, in Koeben. His ministry was interrupted several times by the Thirty Years’ War, but the faithful minister resumed whenever the fighting died down. In 1634, medical problems forced him to stop preaching, and he finally retired in 1638.

Hymns:

1. Ah, Holy Jesus
2. Ere Yet the Dawn Has Filled the Skies
3. O Christ, Our True and Only Light