 Apáczai's work fell into disfavor and neglect in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, after the Hungarian Counter-Reformation led to a return of Catholicism in that country.However, in 1803, a second edition was published, and it was republished again as recently as 1977 by Kriterion.Due to this work, Apáczai is now considered a national cultural hero.