The Doukhobors

Woodcock & Avakumovic, The Doukhobors, (London 1968)

The Doukhobors

Doukhobor meaning “Spirit Wrestlers”

The term was first used in 1785 in a derogatory manner.

Fighting against the Holy Ghost.Changed its meaning to fighting with the spirit

of God.

Doukhobor Belief

Complete rejection of the priesthood.No churches.No liturgy.No festivals.No sacraments.No Bible.

Persecution

1779 First major investigation of the Doukhobors.

Under Alexander I the Doukhobors were sent to Taurida known as the ‘Milky Waters’, on the northern shore of the Black Sea.

Tsar Nicholas II

After 1826:Sent to the Caucasus 1828-9, ‘where it was

thought they would have to defend their lives and property, arms in hand, against the mountain tribes and thus be weaned of their pacifistic inclinations.’

Doukhobar teaching and preaching was forbidden.

Peter ‘the Lordly’ Verigin

Leader who while in exile studied the doctrines of Tolstoy.

Began to withhold taxes.Refused to participate in government schemes.Ban in drinking, smoking, meat-eating.Refused to take oaths.

Peter Verigin

1895 Under Vergini’s instructions, 11 Dukhobors refused military service while serving in their battalion.

Ceremonial burning of the arms across several settlements.

When attacked they huddled together in circles.

Why the hostility?

Russia was an autocratic stateIsolationDirect challenge of authorityFear of the unknownSocial statusReligious belief

The Waldensians

Movement originates in Lyon from the teachings of Pierre Valdes, a wealthy merchant who, in 1170, gave all his material wealth to the poor and persuaded others to do the same

In rejecting this wealth, Valdes wanted to colaborate to the renovation of the Church, by following the apostles´ example

The Church goes back to Christs’ teachings, which should be considered literally- as well as giving up wealth, we should give up political power and the use of force

Persecution

During the Counter reformation, the Waldensians, as other non conformist religious groups, were persecuted

In 1655, a community of Waldensians was massacred, in an event that they still remember as the Piedmont Easter

As a result of the 1685 revocation of the Edict of Nantes, Waldensian worship was forbidden

Reactions

On March 6, the Waldensians defied the order and, on the basis of Acts 4:19 (it is better to obey God than man), resumed worship services.

Following another massacre of the Waldensians, and their exile to Northern Germany, they eventually returned to Piedmont in 1689, a moment which was defined as the Glorious Return.

Legalisation

In 1848, by the Edict of Emancipation established by Carlo Alberto, King of Piedmont-Sardinia, the Waldensians were granted political and social rights.

Today, Waldensian presence is mostly concentrated around the Alpine region of Piedmont, Switzerland and France, although significant communities also exist in the USA.

Why persecution?Challenge to the mainstream institutions

of Church and State- rejected all killing, including

capital punishment and warfare -refused military service-believed in a humble Church,

countering the enormous riches of the Catholic Church

- challenged the connection between Church and State

The Taborites

Founded in Bohemian city of Tabor in eC15- part of the Hussite movement- followers of Jan Hus, a priest burned at the stake for heresy.

Rejected militarism and capital punishment and believed that a better world was inevitable

However, some followers grew frustrated with simply waiting for the second coming- advocated violent revolution

A Non-Violent Movement?

Advocates of violent revolutionMany believed that it was their duty to slay

hereticsPart of armies that defended Bohemia

BUT: Some generals were known to show clemency to their opponents when they defeated them in battle

Petr Chelcicky- A non-violent warrior?

Persecution & Legacy

Represented a radical departure from the strict structures of the medieval church

Challenged orthodoxy with its passive attitude towards the second coming of Christ.

Fought for a prot0-communist form of society- challenged existing structures

Its power waned significantly by middle of the century, but many ideas adopted by the Unity of the Brethren, now the Moravian Church

The Cathars

Began in the Languedoc region in the South of France in C11, Flourished in C12&13

Given name Cathars, members preffered to be called Bons Hommes et Bonnes Femmes

Beginnings of Conflict

Purpose of man's life on Earth was to transcend matter

Put them at odds with Catholics – material is evil, for example significance of cross

Opposed Catholics as they saw them causing moral, spiritual and political corruption of the Church

Non Violence

Saw non violence as key to returning to a pure, uncorrupted form of life.

War and capital punishment were condemned – an abnormality in the medieval age.

Violence!!!!!

The cathars unique attitude towards violence, religious and social issues upset the dominant Catholics

Pope Innocent III ordered the crusade of Saint-Nicolas-lès-Cîteaux  and approx 20,000 people were killed. When he was warned there was no way of discerning between Catholics and Cathars he said, “Kill them all, the Lord will recognise His own”

The End!

Cathars were persecuted and crusaded against until basically annihilated. They survived in remote areas in C14 and C15 though their influences and views can be seen in movements such as the Waldensians which later were absorbed into Hussites, Lollards and the Moravian Church.

General Conclusions

Institutional EffectsChallenges the state and established ChurchGoes against war – debatable?

Social Effects Challenges social ordersFear of the unknown

The Anabaptists

Origins

Emerged around 1500Became important players in the ReformationBroke with the Reformation in 1525Movement Spread to Germany, Austria,

Switzerland, Tirol. By C17 to Holland and East Poland

Persecution

Secret Executions (in the early years)Made a capital crime. Aiding Anabaptists was also

made a crimeBurnt at the stake (Catholic countries).Drowned or Hung (Lutheran or Zwinglian countries)Armed executioners and soldiers sent in companies

throughout the land to kill Anabaptists.Between 1525 and 1800 more than 200 decrees

were issued by European governments denouncing Anabaptists.

Individual Cases

First persecution occurred in Zurich: Brethren imprisoned and executed (Felix Manz).

1527 the duke of Bavaria ordered Anabaptists to be burned at the stake.

1551 the Reichstag ordered all judges with scruples of sentencing Anabaptists to be removed from office.

Companies of executioners: 1528 commissioned by King Ferdinand of Austria 1528 four hundred mounted soldiers

The number of Anabaptist martyrs in the Tyrol and Görz was estimated at one thousand about the end of the year 1531.

Reasons for Persecution

Refusal to bare arms (unpatriotic)Refused to swear oaths (oaths=warrior code)Did not fight the Turks in Hapsburg landsA threat to other religious orders

Mennonites

Origins

Emerged during Holland’s war of IndependenceFollowers of Simon MennoNon-Violent?

Offered to help William of Orange with non-military tasks. Taxed in order to avoid military service Served in non-combatant roles

Persecution

Both Dutch and Swiss Mennonites either fled or were exiled West to escape persecution.

Mennonites found solace in Penn’s holy experimentPenn’s experiment soon collapsed due to pressures

of public opinion

Reasons for Persecution

Did not want to fight in the war (unpatriotic)

Mennonites reject the authoritative rule of the government as people should be ruled by the love of Jesus

Chelcicky says that government is needed to rule those not living under the love of Jesus. To forgive them would lead to power disappearing. Because of this fact the Mennonites become marginalized and persecuted.