John, Elector of Saxony
| John | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1526 | |
| Elector of Saxony | |
| Reign | 5 May 1525 – 16 August 1532 |
| Predecessor | Frederick III |
| Successor | Johann Frederick I |
| Born | 30 June 1468 Meissen, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 16 August 1532 (aged 64) Schweinitz, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
| Burial | |
| Spouse | |
| Issue Detail | Johann Frederick I, Elector of Saxony Maria, Duchess of Pomerania John Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Coburg |
| House | Wettin (Ernestine line) |
| Father | Ernest, Elector of Saxony |
| Mother | Elisabeth of Bavaria |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (1468–1525) Lutheran (1525–1532) |
John (30 June 1468 – 16 August 1532), known as John the Steadfast or John the Constant (German: Johann der Beständige), was Elector of Saxony from 1525 until 1532. He belonged to the House of Wettin.
John was notable for organising the Lutheran Church in Saxony at both governmental and administrative levels. He was assisted by Martin Luther, whose "Saxon model" for a Lutheran church was soon adopted in other territories of the Holy Roman Empire. Following the break with Rome, Luther relied on John for secular authority and financial support on behalf of a church deprived of much of its previous income.
He also played a role in the Protestation at Speyer.