Born: Circa 1620, Merseburg, Saxony-Anhalt.
Died: Circa 1682, Ohlau, Silesia (now Oława, Poland).
In 1644, Janus matriculated at the University of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia).
After several semesters studying theology, he became cantor in Steinau (now Ścinawa Mała, Poland), in the Duchy of Opole.
During the Thirty Years’ War, he fled to Lower Lusatia and became music director of the evangelical churches in Sorau (now Żary, Poland), evidently helped by Baron Sigismund von Promnitz Seifried.
After Promnitz’ death in 1654, Janus went to Sagan, where he was rector and cantor at the town school. Around 1664, he was also became pastor at the neighboring village of Ecker.
When Duke Wenzel Eusebius of Lobkowicz assumed power in the Duchy of Sagan, Protestant preachers were expelled in 1678, and Janus had to flee once again.
After a long search, he found a job as a cantor in Ohlau, where Duchess Louise of Anhalt-Dessau lived.
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