Opening of the Year of the Reformation in Russia

Moscow

On March 22 in the “President Hotel” in Moscow, the “Year of the Reformation” officially got its start. While the anniversary itself will be celebrated on October 31, celebrations will take place all year long and in many various places around the church. These events were “opened” on a national stage at this gathering, attended by representatives of traditional Christian denominations, state representatives, diplomats, and journalists. The Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia, Dietrich Brauer, welcomed the guests.

In his speech he underlined the importance of the contribution of Lutherans to the social, cultural, scientific and educational spheres of our country. The Archbishop suggested that everyone consider the fruits of the Reformation as a historical phenomenon. “It is important to remember that Lutherans in the Russian state were not, in contrast to many countries of Eastern Europe, isolated, but took an active part in the development of social-political life.” “Of course the exception to this rule under the monarchy were the peasant farmers who were invited to Russia by the tsaritsa who grew up as a Lutheran, Catherine II (the Great). The official civil head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Russian Empire was the Emperor (c.f., Code of Laws of the Russian Empire, 1832). Many leading Russians were Lutherans, including the Briullov brothers, Peter Faberge, Barclay de Tolly, Anton Delvig, Vitus Bering, Vladimir Dal, Iva Kruzenshtern, Sergei Witte. Lutheran churches to this day help make the central streets of Russian cities look beautiful. And despite all the difficulties and occasional repressions of Lutherans during troubled times, Lutherans always remained faithful to their homeland and deeply desired to work for its good. Christian exterior mission was for the most part limited to charity work, diaconal work as an expression of neighbor love. Thanks to many unique church-society projects the Lutheran Church has been able to successful move between confessional lines.”

Others who spoke supported this line of thinking. They included the journalist and historian Nikolai Svanidze, the former Minister of Culture Michael Shvydka, the representative of the International Union of German Culture Olga Martens, who particularly made note of the contributions of Lutheran pastors throughout history. Among the guests were deans and pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia who made the trip to Moscow specially for this event. The “Soli Deo Gloria" choir led by Oleg Romanenko contributed to the event by performing important Reformation-related songs – Mendelssohn's Reformation Cantata and Handel's “Alleluia” chorus.