Moravian Church

Error creating thumbnail:

Error creating thumbnail:

Moravian Church
150px The emblem of the Moravian Church
Classification	Protestant
Orientation	Hussite
Polity	Episcopal
Associations	World Council of Churches, National Council of Churches
Region	Worldwide
Founder	Jan Hus
Origin	1457 Bohemia, Czech Republic
Separated from	Roman Catholic Church
Congregations	1,000+
Members	750,000

The Moravian Church, also known as the Unitas Fratrum or Unity of the Brethren, is one of the oldest Protestant denominations, with its roots tracing back to the pre-Reformation movement led by Jan Hus in the early 15th century. The church was officially established in 1457 in Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic.

History

The origins of the Moravian Church can be traced to the teachings of Jan Hus, a Czech reformer who was a key predecessor to the Protestant Reformation. Hus advocated for a return to the teachings of the Bible and criticized the practices of the Roman Catholic Church, which led to his excommunication and execution in 1415.

Following Hus's death, his followers, known as the Hussites, continued to promote his ideas. In 1457, a group of Hussites formed the Unitas Fratrum (Unity of the Brethren) in Bohemia. This group emphasized piety, community, and egalitarianism.

The Moravian Church faced significant persecution during the Counter-Reformation, leading many members to flee to other parts of Europe. In the early 18th century, a group of Moravians found refuge on the estate of Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf in Saxony, where they established the community of Herrnhut. This period marked a revival for the Moravian Church, which began to send missionaries around the world.

Beliefs and Practices

The Moravian Church holds to the essential doctrines of Christianity, including the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Resurrection of Jesus. It places a strong emphasis on personal piety, community life, and missionary work.

Moravians practice two sacraments: Baptism and the Eucharist. They also observe the Lovefeast, a communal meal that symbolizes fellowship and unity.

The church is known for its hymnody and liturgical traditions, which include the use of the Daily Texts, a devotional guide that provides scripture readings for each day of the year.

Organization

The Moravian Church is organized into provinces, each governed by a synod and a provincial board. The highest governing body is the Unity Synod, which meets every seven years and includes representatives from all provinces.

The church follows an episcopal polity, with bishops serving as spiritual leaders. However, the role of bishops is primarily pastoral and symbolic, with administrative authority vested in elected boards.

Global Presence

The Moravian Church has a global presence, with significant communities in North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe. It is a member of the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches.

Notable Contributions

The Moravian Church has made significant contributions to Christian missions, education, and music. It established some of the earliest Protestant missions in the Caribbean, Greenland, North America, and Africa. The church's emphasis on education led to the founding of several schools and colleges.

See Also

• Jan Hus
• Hussite
• Protestant Reformation
• Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf
• Herrnhut