Thomas Chrön

Thomas Chrön (Slovene: Tomaž Hren;^[1] November 13, 1560 – February 10, 1630) was a Carniolan Roman Catholic priest, bishop of Ljubljana, and patron of the arts.^[2][3]

His Excellency Thomas Chrön
Prince-Bishop of Ljubljana
Diocese	Ljubljana
Installed	1597
Term ended	1630
Predecessor	Johann Tautscher
Successor	Rinaldo Scarlichi
Orders
Ordination	1588
Personal details
Born	(1560-11-13)November 13, 1560 Ljubljana
Died	February 10, 1630(1630-02-10) (aged 69) Gornji Grad

Life and work

Chrön was born in Ljubljana.^[2] In 1573 he enrolled in the Jesuit school in Graz.^[3] He was ordained in 1588, when he was also appointed to the canon's position formerly held by Primož Trubar.^[2] In 1597 he was appointed bishop of Ljubljana, and the appointment was confirmed in 1599.^[3] He was the leading force behind the Counter-Reformation in Carniola,^[4] and Protestantism was suppressed in his diocese between 1600 and 1603.^[5] However, Jurij Dalmatin's Bible translation was retained and he received papal permission to use it, thereby preserving its linguistic and literary tradition.^[3] From 1614 to 1621 he served as the deputy provincial sovereign.^[6]

Chrön wanted to establish a press in Ljubljana; he made it possible for Johannes Tschandek (Slovene: Janez Čandek or Čandik^[6]) to print the gospels and epistles (Evangelia inu listuvi, 1613),^[7] and he copyedited the text himself, which was based on translations by Trubar and Dalmatin.^[3] He established the Collegium Marianum in Gornji Grad for the education of clergy.^[8] Chrön also supported liturgical music: he commissioned a new organ in Gornji Grad.^[2]

Chrön died in Gornji Grad, where he was also buried.^[9]

The Slovenized spelling of his name Tomash Hren is found as early as 1832,^[10] Tomaž Kren by 1848,^[11] Tomaž Hren by 1849,^[12] Tomaž Chrön by 1854,^[13] and Tomaž Chroen by 1907.^[14]