At that time, the fresh lands was indeed higher discontinued steppes. To help you settle and you will cultivate them, the us government off Catherine II anticipate overseas colonists. They certainly were primarily Germans. A considerable part of him or her was basically the brand new Mennonites from Prussia and Danzig.

During the 1786, Prince Potemkin provided for Germany his licensed associate R. Trappe to “generate colonists to your the fresh new Russian region.” The original Mennonite household compensated towards area away from Khortytsya into the the fresh region of your own Dnipro, regarding the Tauride state to your Molochna River (latest Melitopol and you can Berdyansk areas), Yekaterinoslav province (today Dnipropetrovsk).

Deacons helped from the baptism and also the Lord’s Supper

So it spiritual path are established in XVI century regarding the Netherlands by the an old Catholic priest Menno Simons. Even after high variations with the certain items of one’s philosophy, most Mennonites conform to the fresh pre-Dordrecht confession, which was ultimately devised at the a meeting kept inside the 1632 for the the fresh Dutch town of Dordrecht (Dort). Millennialism – a conviction regarding the imminent place out of millennial Empire away from Jesus on the planet is common into the Mennonites.

This new Mennonite baptism is carried out into the a conscious age when a great person is able to make his own decision. And, the baptism is not thought a great sacrament, nevertheless the rite to be performed (in most communities by raining) having individuals in the age regarding twelve so you’re able to 18 age. The fresh Mennonites behavior the Lord’s Meal (communion since they’re named). At the same time, this new Mennonites do not believe in the genuine visibility away from Goodness Christ about Eucharist. Another Mennonite rite is actually common laundry regarding foot. Discussing fraternal kisses is also believed a compulsory service.

Most Mennonites won’t sign up to help you armed forces and you can civil service, do not give oaths because of religion. Within the traditional Mennonite chapel organizations, the brand new excommunication having sin was applied. Believers should don effortless clothing, and you may women security its minds at praise. All of the Mennonites take care of rigid church discipline, disapprove out of marriage ceremonies which have people in almost every other faiths.

So you can remind immigrants to take under cultivation uninhabited steppes of your Southern, Catherine II offered him or her loads of positives: continuous liberty regarding hiring duty, taxation exception to this rule getting 10 years, 65 miles from property to each family members, 500 rubles having take a trip as well as the acquisition of information toward construction and also for the acquisition of farming inventory. Therefore, the latest Mennonites needed to provide rentals and you may carts having soldiers passage using the community, keep in an excellent repair tracks and you can bridges.

This new Mennonites settlers based 27 territories. The most significant of these was Halbshtadt (today Molochansk). Originally there were on 250 family dating a pansexual guy members. Into the 1809, they certainly were joined from the other 600 Protestant family.

A Mennonite society are added because of the spiritual frontrunner (pastor). His duties was indeed: preaching, pastoral proper care of souls, esteem out-of area professionals, chapel discipline, religious training, the brand new Lord’s Lunch service and you may ordination of your selected in order to suffice town parents and deacons.

No ceremonial ordination was held getting preachers: in the solemn conditions a great presbyter portrayed them to town and you may said an effective prayer. Preachers was engaged in the fresh chapel things of one’s senior: they administered marriages, funerals, however, didn’t baptize and you will suffice the new Lord’s Supper. These were responsible for church assets, given assistance to poor people and you may structured new foundation service.

Feature off Mennonites are privacy and you can a desire to prevent get in touch with on outer industry

As the pastor, deacons and you will preachers managed town, their highest power had been the fresh new fraternal council you to integrated every male community members. They set the problems regarding excommunication and you will gotten the latest penitent, select parents, preachers and you will deacons because of the miracle ballot, responsible for the latest teaching and exercise out of chapel lifetime by bulk vote. Every single area was totally independent.