German protestants in Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union

Abstract

German church life in Russia has always been characterised by its extreme diaspora situation both denominationally and ethnically. Outside the Lutheran Baltic provinces Estonia, Livonia and Courland I .--: there was no real structure to German churches in Russia, and there was always an element 'of uncertainty inherent in church life. The only significant exception to this. was the Mennonites ----' but even within the German community they formed an isolated ethnic and religious group. Attempts to bring about organisational unity among the churches in the colonists' villages were always suggested to the churches froni outside, i.e. by the state. Before the reign of Catherine 11 (1762-96), attempts to settle the fettileVolga steppe had failed. In 1762 and 1763 Catherine published manifestos in Europe inviting people to settle in Russia. Free land (30~80 hectares }:ler family), deferred taxation, interest-free loans for purchases; and self-administration were included in the offer. Religious liberty was also guaranteed 2, and this was an important factor in .all the phases of immigration. There is no doubt that the first settlers along the Volga had the most 'Idifficult start in Russia. Many came from Hessen and the Rhineland, areas devastated, in Frederick II's Seven-Year War (1756-63). Since Catherine had specifically invited all professions to settle in Russia, only some sixty per cent of the immigrants were farmers or farm labourers; about forty per cent were craftsmen or belonged to other stations including a considerable percentage of unfortunates (discharged soldiers and officers, impoverished gentry, escaped , convicts), and others (adventurers, artists, ·musicians, hairdressers). 3 Once in Russia, however, they were all compelled to lead a rural