Lutheran ritual constructions are mainly called Kirche. But this is not so. The German word kirche corresponds to the Russian concept of “church”. In the New Testament, a special meaning is enclosed in it - a church (kirche) can be referred to as a structure, as well as a community or assembly of believers without confessional coloring.
A building church has three types of buildings: a chapel (chapel), a church, and a cathedral. The chapel is a separate building, built for special needs. The church is the main parish building. There are no liturgical differences between them - all ceremonies, rituals, sacraments can be held both in the chapel and in the church.
The interior of the church
The kirches, built in the traditional style, are divided into parts characteristic of Christian religious buildings. Currently, such a division in the construction of the church may be absent. The arrangement of buildings, any differences between them cannot serve as an obstacle to the conduct of the service. What is a Lutheran church? Traditionally, the building consists of several parts:
- The narthex is the space where auxiliary premises are located: a library, a toilet, a locker room, rooms for employees of the parish, etc. Above the narthex are usually towers that act as bell towers.
- Choirs - a room above the entrance where the organ is located.
- The nave is the main part of the building for parishioners. For them, there are special benches or ordinary chairs - this does not matter. But opposite the altar, during many processions, a passage is provided.
- Altar - according to tradition, he is facing the East in the Lutheran Church. This is usually the elevation on which the cross or crucifix is located. Behind the altar there may be pictures or stained glass windows on the gospel theme. It can be a picture of nature or just a window. Kirche is a church, a place for worship. Therefore, on the side of the altar is the pulpit.
Names of the Church
- A church can be named after the name of the district, street or city where it is located.
- Modern church is called the names of important Christian concepts. For example, the Church of the Redeemer.
- Memorial names - in Lutheranism there is no institution of saints, therefore churches are named in memory of church leaders or rulers. For example, the Church of Louise (in memory of the Queen of Prussia) in Kaliningrad.
- Kirche may have a pre-reformation name. Usually these are the most important personalities of the New Testament or the names of saints. For example, St. Paul’s Church in Odessa.
- The name of the church depends on the ethnicity of the parishioners. For example, a German church.
The origins of the Lutheran church
In October 1517, the Augustinian monk and professor Martin Luther published 95 theses. So a whole doctrine arose, different from the postulates of the Catholic Church. What was originally aimed at change ultimately led to the formation of a new church.
Kirche in the original sense is not only a building, but also a community of believers. After the Reformation, the Evangelical Lutheran Church (church) appears everywhere in Germany, Sweden, Finland from the XVI century. Later, Lutheranism was strengthened in northern Germany, in Livonia. The widespread construction of buildings for worship begins.
Legacy of the teutonic order
In the Kaliningrad region, a lot of the church of that time was preserved. In addition, German kirkhs of an earlier period remained a legacy from the German states. The first churches appeared on this territory in the 13th century. The Teutonic Order in 1256 founded the Church of Steindamm, five years later - the Church of Purkshen, in 1288 - the Church of Juditten. More than 60 Catholic churches, built by the Teutonic Order, are currently preserved in the Kaliningrad region.
The Teutonic Order also laid the Koenigsberg Castle. The church, the library, the reception hall, the castle tower, the shelter, the royal chambers, the oat tower are the components of past splendor. The name of the castle gave the name to the city under construction at the walls of the castle. Königsber Castle - the oldest attraction of the city. In 1967, the remaining walls of the building were blown up. Now a decision has been made to restore it.
Legacy of East Prussia
Since the XIV century, with the formation of German cities on the territory of East Prussia, the construction of Catholic churches began everywhere. More than 120 churches survived to the present.
Cathedral
The first Catholic Cathedral was built in 1380. Gradually, the cathedral was completed and painted inside with frescoes. Kirche is the center of life for parishioners. So, in the time of the Order, the Cathedral was divided into 2 parts: knights prayed in one, and parishioners in the other.
Soon, next to the cathedral, the university building grew, a library with a collection of unique books and manuscripts. A clock with a battle was placed on its tower, later the cathedral was restored and a new organ was installed in it.
Today, the Catholic community in Kaliningrad is small. Therefore, it was decided to make a kind of center-temple from the Cathedral, where representatives of different faiths will be able to pray nearby. Now in the cathedral, Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics conduct divine services. Organize concerts and competitions of organ and classical music.
Juditten Kirche
Juditten Kirche is perhaps the oldest building in Kaliningrad that has been preserved. The year of construction is 1288. The Catholic church is notable for the fact that crowds of pilgrims have come here for centuries. At the end of the XIV century, a belfry with two bells was built, bright and rich frescoes were created, inside the church there was the oldest sculpture in Prussia - “Madonna on the Crescent”, which is attributed to great miracles and healings.
Kirche remained virtually intact after the war, German residents held services there until 1948. But the building was thoroughly destroyed by immigrants from the Soviet Union. In early 1980, in order to protect the site from destruction, the church was handed over to the Orthodox Church. Now here is the St. Nicholas convent.
Sights of the XIX-XX centuries
The historical building of Kaliningrad is the Lutheran Church of Queen Louise. In honor of the royal person, it was built in 1899. In the 60s, the authorities planned to demolish the building, but managed to save it by converting the building into a Puppet Theater.
The Catholic Chapel of St. Adalbert was built in 1904. After 30 years, a building with round windows was added to it and the altar was rebuilt. The chapel received the status of a church. During the war, the attached part was damaged and disassembled, and an orthopedic enterprise was located in the old part of the church. Now the building is the administration of the Research Institute.
The Church of the Holy Family was built in 1907. According to the architect, the Catholic Church was to become a family home for parishioners, where the spirit of Christian love reigned. Only baptism and wedding ceremonies were held here. During the Second World War, the church was thoroughly damaged and gradually destroyed. In 1980, after a long reconstruction, the Regional Philharmonic Society was opened in it. A Czech organ with 3600 pipes was installed.
The Catholic Church of St. Joseph was founded in 1931. The building had a three-story tower and an oval roof. During the Second World War, the church suffered little, and after the war the Club of Railway Workers was located here. In 1969, the building was rebuilt and placed in it trading warehouses, which are located there to the present.
Kirches, now acting as Orthodox churches
Lutheran Ponart Church is a beautiful building in the Gothic style. It was erected in 1897 at the expense of the local brewery, residents and state subsidies. The organ of kirche was presented by the Jewish community of the city. During the war, the cult standing was almost not affected. After the war, the spire was removed from the church, and the premises were used as storage facilities. In 1991, the building was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, and now it houses the Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Lutheran Church of Rosenau was founded in 1914. But because of the war (World War I), the construction of the temple had to be suspended. In 1926, the construction of the church was completed. During World War II, the church was practically unaffected and was used as storage space. 25 years ago, the building was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, and now here is the Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin.
The Lutheran Church of the Cross was built and solemnly consecrated in 1933. During the war she received minor injuries, and after the Second World War there was a car repair shop in the building. In 1988, the building was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, in 1994 it was consecrated, now it is the Orthodox Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
The last religious building that the Germans erected in Königsberg was the Lutheran Church of Christ. They built it in a working area, without frills and embellishment. The building was created in 1937. The church could have 720 people at the same time. After the war, the building was adapted for the House of Culture. The building was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, but, according to the leaders, the club will work here for now.
Existing Lutheran and Catholic Churches
Now in Kaliningrad, the Catholic Church has 2 parishes: the Holy Family and St. Adalbert. The church buildings were built in 1991 and 1992. The Catholic Center Caritas West also opened in 1992. It operates in the city and a branch of the Catholic College.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church was revived in the city only in 1991. Lutherans gather in the church building on Prospekt Mira. They also have a probation (church district), in which the Light in the East mission is registered.
What is a church? Before the Reformation, churches in German lands were called church. Germany is the birthplace of the Reformation. After it, both Catholics and Lutherans called the church (church) the building in which they gathered for worship. Now called Lutheran and some German churches. For Catholics, depending on the country, this may be a church or a parish. For example, for residents of Belarus, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia, the Catholic Church is a church.