Educational and Publishing Activity in the Ressurectionist Uniate Center in Edirne (Former Adrianople), 1863–1914

Author(s): Wojciech Józwiak / Language(s): English Issue: 1-2/2014

Members of the Congregation of Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ have been active in Edirne (f. Adrianople) for more than a half of the century, during which period they have used a variety of tactics to increase the number of Bulgarians recognizing religious sovereignty of Rome. Depending of the means chosen by the missionaries there were three main approaches leading towards that goal: religious propaganda, educational and informative way. Manuscripts and publications played essential part of pro-uniate activity in all three of those tactics. The authors, translators and often publishers of those documents were members of the mission (the printing house was established at the end of 1870's as a result of the efforts of the superior Tomasz Brzeski.

Pastoral Care of Youth in the Czech Republic — Legal Aspects

Author(s): Stanislav Přibyl / Language(s): English Issue: 5/2017

The communist regime in Czechoslovakia belonged among the most repressive in the former Soviet sphere. It made efforts of ideological indoctrination of youth and used various means in order to isolate young people from the religious life. Solely after the changes in 1989 it is possible to organize structures of many-sided care of youth within the Churches. In the framework of the Catholic Church there belongs a great deal of merits to the Salesian Congregation which operated with youth in the secret structures already in the times of totalitarianism when the male Church orders were abolished. The Czech Bishop Conference established its Section for Youth, also the Church movements as Focolare or Charismatic Renewal take part on the care of young Christians. The care of youth exploits the possibilities offered by the canon law. A special attention is turned to the problem of quality of the Church music for youth. Also the Catholic Traditionalists, Greek Catholics, Orthodox Church and the other Christian Churches employ the religious freedom and establish various organizations for young believers according to the civil law and their inner church prescriptions.

„Más nemzeteknél, mint a szászoknál…” - Ortodoxia és lutheranizmus kölcsönhatásai a dualizmus kori Erdélyben

Author(s): Barna Ábrahám / Language(s): Hungarian Issue: 04/2017

With their well organized economic and social life, mentality, and particular system of values, the Saxons have played a distinguished role in the nation-building process of Romanians in Transylvania. While until the middle of the 19th century the relationship had been dominated by antagonism and the struggle of the Romanians living on the Saxon territory for political emancipation, the emergence of modern, bourgeois Hungary brought about a positive turn in this respect. The Romanian elite recognized and tried to adopt the organization of Saxon cooperatives, schools and scientific life, and to use their experience, generally showing up the Saxons’ solidarity and democratic way of thinking as a model to be followed, especially as they identified as one of the main sources of such virtues the public activities of the Lutheran pastors. They were convinced that the Romanian priests would not emerge as the effective leaders of their own communities unless they were elevated to the social status and prestige of Saxon pastors (or Hungarian and German Roman Catholic priests, for that matter), and, last but not least, equal them in modern and comprehensive education.

Autokefalia prawosławia ukraińskiego wbrew prawosławiu rosyjskiemu

Author(s): Jarosław Moskałyk / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 19/2019

Otrzymanie autokefalii z Konstantynopola przez prawosławie na Ukrainie w 2019 r. oznacza dla niego przede wszystkim zmianę jakościową zarówno w sensie organizacyjnym i prawnym, ale także świadomościowym i mentalnym. To rzeczywiste nawiązanie do spuścizny historycznej oraz perspektywa całkowitego uwolnienia się od niechcianego podporządkowania. Teraz pozostaje jedynie kwestia właściwego zagospodarowania wartością, jaką jest pełna autonomia i możliwość kształtowania niezależnej wizji eklezjalnej. Jeśli zostaną prawidłowo wyciągnięte wnioski z niedalekiej i dawnej przeszłości, wówczas zaistnieją wszelkie podstawy ku stworzeniu zjednoczonej wspólnoty prawosławnej o niewątpliwym autorytecie moralnym.

Pogrzeb nieochrzczonych dzieci w praktyce liturgicznej Cerkwi prawosławnej

Author(s): Marek Ławreszuk / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 19/2019

Artykuł podejmuje zagadnienie praktyki liturgicznej związanej ze śmiercią nieochrzczonych dzieci. W historycznej liturgicznej tradycji Cerkwi prawosławnej obrzęd pogrzebu nieochrzczonych dzieci nie funkcjonował. Niniejszy artykuł analizuje zmiany w praktyce liturgicznej lokalnych cerkwi w Grecji i Rosji dotyczące modlitwy za nieochrzczone dzieci. Uzupełnieniem rozważań liturgicznych i pasterskich jest obrzęd pogrzebowy nieochrzczonego dziecka, przygotowany w oparciu o aktualne greckie i rosyjskie teksty.

Miejsce Biblii w życiu Ulricha Zwingliego

Author(s): Piotr Jaskóła / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 19/2019

Artykuł prezentuje centralne miejsce Biblii w życiu U. Zwingliego. Reformacja w Zurychu, której początki były głównie jego dziełem, ujawniła to na kilku polach: w kaznodziejstwie, prowadzonych dysputach teologicznych i w tzw. szkole proroctw (Prophezei). Na każdym z tych pól szwajcarski reformator eksponował autorytet Biblii – nieporównywalny z innymi autorytetami. Równocześnie podkreślał rolę Ducha Świętego w interpretacji tekstów biblijnych. Prawda o inspirującym działaniu Ducha Świętego, jak i prawda o suwerenności Boga leżą u podstaw życia i teologicznego dziedzictwa reformatora z Zurychu.

Dialog Kościoła katolickiego z niewierzącymi

Author(s): Jan Kochel / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 19/2019

Artykuł podejmuje aktualny temat potrzeby dialogu z osobami niewierzącymi w Kościele katolickim. Dialog to rozmowa co najmniej dwóch osób; może on być rozumiany jako metoda, proces i postawa społeczna. Dialog ekumeniczny obejmuje obszary, na których nie ma do końca zgody między rozmówcami, domaga się szacunku i umiejętności słuchania argumentów drugiej strony. Współcześnie rośnie zjawisko niewiary, zwłaszcza wśród młodych, stąd potrzeba poszukiwania form spotkań i dialogu ze współczesnym środowiskiem zsekularyzowanym. Kościół powszechny podejmuje różne próby dialogu z niewierzącymi: od propozycji inicjowanych przez oficjalne dokumenty Magisterium, poprzez inicjatywy lokalnych wspólnot i Kościołów, np. „katedra (warsztaty) dla niewierzących”, aż po uniwersalne forum wymiany, tzw. „dziedziniec pogan (dialogu)”.

Демоничните образи на Баба Марта и Дядо Коледа

Author(s): Irina Kolarska / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 1/2020

Baba Marta and Santa Claus are two characters who are usually related to a series of positive emotions because of the expectation to receive gifts bringing joy, hopes and expectations. The dark side of the character of Baba Marta has been studied many times but it has not been investigated or analyzed in regards to Santa Claus. This text will make an attempt to present a different point of view to the two characters, which has never been in the focus of attention of folklore studies – the one of evangelical Protestantism. The reason for it is the feeling of its followers that their opinion is not taken into consideration and is thus silenced and suppressed. I will make an attempt to draw impartial theses and antitheses, as well as to do an analysis and summary of the results. In addition, I will seek to find if these two characters belong to paganism or to folklore and to outline the reason for their demonization according to evangelical Protestantism.

Das Zisterzienserkloster Kerz. Neue Betrachtungen zu Gründung, dynastischen Verbindungen und Zisterzienserideal

Author(s): Ünige Bencze / Language(s): German Issue: 2/2012

Die bisherige Literatur über das Zisterzienserkloster Kerz lässt erkennen, dass Wissenschaftler oft normative Muster des idealen Zisterzienserlebens und des architektonischen Grundrisses übernommen haben, um seine Architektur und Geschichte zu rekonstruieren, ohne eigene Untersuchungen anzustrengen. Kaum erforscht oder gar diskutiert wurde die Fähigkeit der Zisterzienser, sich an örtliche Gegebenheiten anzupassen.

Ks. James Haldane Stewart: Wskazówki dla ogólnego zjednoczenia chrześcijan w modlitwie o wylanie Ducha Świętego (1820)

Author(s): Sławomir Pawłowski / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 20/2020

W roku 1820 anglikański duchowny James Haldane Stewart (1776–1854) opublikował małe dzieło pt. Wskazówki dla ogólnego zjednoczenia chrześcijan w modlitwie o wylanie Ducha Świętego. Tekst jest małym traktatem o modlitwie, ale także odezwą i szczegółową instrukcją dotyczącą wewnętrznych przekonań i zewnętrznych działań, starającą się objąć osobiste i społeczne życie chrześcijańskie: modlitwę i spotkania, kazania i zebrania, lekturę Biblii i korespondencję. Opiera się na dziedzictwie przebudzeniowych ruchów i inicjatyw poprzedniego wieku, np. przebudzenia metodystycznego, amerykańskiego Pierwszego Wielkiego Przebudzenia czy Pokornej próby Jonathana Edwardsa. Wskazówki Stewarta są świadkiem jego czasów: kryzysu społecznego, przebudzenia mesjanistyczno-eschatologicznego i zapału misyjnego. Są także zwiastunem pneumatologicznych prądów czasów przyszłych, zwłaszcza ruchu zielonoświątkowego. Dzieło Stewarta pozostaje ważnym etapem w historii ekumenizmu duchowego, opartego na nawróceniu i modlitwie, który w pełni rozwinie się w XX w.

Mother of Hope

Author(s): Pablo Blanco-Sarto,Marcin Stanisław Lech / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 20/2020

A difficult topic in the dialogue with Anglicans is the issue of Mary and the various forms of liturgical and non-liturgical Marian devotion, which belong at the same to the Anglican and the Catholic tradition. However, the influence of the Reformation has also had an impact on this topic. Hence, paradoxically, Mariology links and -at the same time- constitutes an element of polemics between Anglicans and Catholics. The Anglican doctrine about Mary of Nazareth mentions the term complexion oppositorum, and the ecumenical Dialogue has shown us its present situation, as we can read in these pages. The authors, after presenting a historical introduction, made a presentation of some existing ecumenical documents of the Roman-Catholic/Anglican dialogue in which there was any mention of the Theotokos. Here are presented the documents at international level as well as those that proceeding from national dialogues, in particular from the USA and Canada.

The evaluation of populist tendences in the debate of the Christian Churches in Germany

Author(s): Grzegorz Chojnacki / Language(s): English,Polish Issue: 20/2020

In the ecumenical dialogue of the Christian Churches (both Catholic and Evangelical), the issue of the development of populist tendencies is the subject of research, debate and joint statements by their most prominent representatives. This joint voice shows, on the one hand, the genesis and directions of the spread of populist ideas, pointing out all dangers for the development of civil society, and on the other hand, it highlights the weaknesses of the democratic system in the face of all abuses consisting in the concentration of capital and disturbing social justice, reducing the participation of citizens in decision-making processes and, in the case of the European Union, the development of federalist visions to the detriment of the community of homelands dominated by more developed economic and financial countries.

Martin Laird, Sheelah Treflé Hidden (red.), The Practice of the Presence of God. Theology as a Way of Life, New York: Routledge 2017, 136 s. ISBN: 978-1-4724-7832-0

Author(s): Łukasz Libowski / Language(s): Polish Issue: 20/2020

Zdzisław Józef Kijas, Opatrzność i przeznaczenie, Kraków: Wydawnictwo Franciszkanów Bratni Zew 2020, 256 s. ISBN: 978-8-3748-5366-8

Author(s): Bogusław Mielec / Language(s): Polish Issue: 20/2020

КАТОЛИЧЕСКИЕ И ЛЮТЕРАНСКИЕ КЛИРИКИ В СОСТАВЕ ШВЕДСКИХ ДИПЛОМАТИЧЕСКИХ МИССИЙ В РОССИЮ В XVI ВЕКЕ

Author(s): Aleksandr V. Tolstikov / Language(s): Russian Issue: 4/2021

The article analyzes clerics’ participation in Swedish diplomatic missions to Russia in the late Middle Ages and the early modern period. It is demonstrated that until the 1530s clerics (mostly canons) were regularly included in Swedish embassies to Russia. It was in keeping with the general level of diplomacy in Sweden, the rulers of which often gave important diplomatic assignments to bishops. But the Swedish embassies to Russia, by contrast, started to include bishops only in the second half of the sixteenth century, when this practice had almost disappeared in other foreign policy directions. It is assumed that the reason for this might have been the attempt to utilize a person’s high clerical status as an additional symbolic resource in difficult diplomatic situations (primarily in the cases of the missions of Laurentius Petri and Michael Agricola, as well as that of Paul Juusten). It is also confirmed that during the whole period under consideration most (although not all) clerics carrying out diplomatic missions to Russia were from Finland.

Historia ewangelickiej parafii Lutra w Gdańsku-Wrzeszczu

Author(s): Jan Daniluk / Language(s): Polish Issue: 14/2020

The article attempts to present the history of Luther’s Evangelical Parish, existing in the years 1896-1945. It was the oldest in Wrzeszcz (Langfuhr), a rapidly developing suburb of Gdansk (Danzig) in the Wilhelminian Era. In the interwar period it was also one of the two largest evangelical parishes in the entire Free City of Danzig. New parishes were separated from its territory twice. Luther’s parish played a key role in the pastoral ministry of military units stationed in Wrzeszcz (Langfuhr) until 1920, further, among others, in creating a new central municipal cemetery in Danzig and in the history of the local anti-Nazi Confessing Church (Bekennende Kirche) movement.

Męczeństwo i zniewolenie Rosyjskiej Cerkwi Prawosławnej w latach 1917-1970

Author(s): Marian Radwan / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2021

The Russian Orthodox Church was deprived of a patriarch by the tsar Peter I the Great in 1721 and since then had been ruled by every next monarch. The position of a patriarch was restored in 1917, when the Synod chose Tikhon Biellavin (died in 1925), by secret voting. When the Russian Provisional Government was overthrown by bolsheviks, the new government started to subordinate the Orthodox Church. There were many attempts of destroying the Orthodox Church by pro-government religious groups, deceptional taking over the Orthodox administration, accusing the Patriarch Tikhon, and executing people defending churches during sacral pretiosas depriving action. The Orthodox Church’s independence was cut short in 1927 after the so-called Declaration of Metropolitan Sergei Stragorodski was published. Since then, his opponents had been persecuted, and his supporters had got promoted. The process of the Russian Orthodox Church enslavement ended when the Council of the Russian Orthodox Church Affairs with the security service officer Karpow as a director was established. The Council had its impact on the election of patriarchs Stragorodski and Simansky and bishops nominations. Orthodox churches, theological schools, monasteries, were liquidated massively, the number of dioceses was reduced, as well. On the Karpov’s and the government order, there was an unsuccessful attempt of establishing the Orthodox Vatican in Moscow. Patriarchs Stragorodsky and Simansky ruled according to governmental demands, not faithful people’s needs.

The role of lethuelas/sangomas in Lesotho. “Traditional” beliefs, spiritual professions and Christianity among the Basotho

Author(s): Agnieszka Podolecka / Language(s): English Issue: 55/2021

This article investigates the place of lehuelas/sangomas in Basotho society, their vocation, work and relationship with Christian churches. Lethuelas, also called sangomas or shamans, are healers, diviners and/or mediums. Thanks to the country’s mountainous isolation, their vocation and work can be observed in its most primal and unspoilt version, passed down for generations without much influence of outside shamanic traditions or New Age forms of shamanism encountered in other Southern African countries. The article includes the data gathered during the field studies conducted in Lesotho in March 2013 and January 2019 in four regions: the capital city of Maseru (250 000 inhabitants), the Nazaretha/Roma region, the villages and tiny settlements in the western part of the Maloti Mountains, and the Butha-Buthe district in the north of the country.

„Mimo drzwi zamkniętych” (J 20,26). Refleksja nad duchowością komunii w warunkach izolacji społecznej na przykładzie Ruchu Focolari

Author(s): Katarzyna Wasiutyńska / Language(s): Polish Issue: 37/2021

The period of social isolation due to the pandemic limited the opportunities for meetings between small and large communities and left a deep mark on the form of experiencing the spirituality of communion, which is one of the most characteristic features of the post-Conciliar Church. An example is the Focolare Movement, where the privileged path to union with God is the relationship of love for one’s neighbour, in which Jesus’ promise is fulfilled that he stands among those gathered in his name (cf. Mt 18:20). Chiara Lubich, the founder of the Focolare, saw in modern technological advances the possibility of developing Christian love, which by its nature is universal. The period of the pandemic marked an unexpected breakthrough in this aspect, as well as in the wider understanding and practice of ecclesial communion. The abolition or prolonged limitation of physical meetings has led to the intensive use of other means of communication, making the virtual space a potential place for communal spiritual experience and concrete action for the benefit of others. A remarkable event in its course and fruitfulness, carried out remotely, was the General Assembly of the Movement, which, according to the Statutes, takes place every six years and is the supreme organ of power. The common discernment typical of Focolarini implies, as a fruit of mutual love, the presence of the Risen One, who makes the voice of the Holy Spirit resound with all power. The adaptation of the forms of the spirituality of communion to external circumstances shows an irresistible need to share a spiritual experience and, if it is authentic, leads to a deepening of the relationship with God and between persons, despite the difficulties.

Koncepcja ochrony Dzieła Stworzenia i jej konteksty teologiczno-pedagogiczne w świetle czasopiśmiennictwa mariawickiego początku XX stulecia

Author(s): Tomasz Dariusz Mames / Language(s): Polish Issue: 2/2021

Nature, plant cultivation, animal husbandry, as well as concern for human hygiene and physical and material well-being, along with pastoral work, were the center of interest of Mariavites from the very beginning of their religious independence. In the periodicals published in the Mariavite printing house in Łódź from 1907-1914 (p.g. „Maryawita. Czciciel Przenajświętszego Sakramentu”, „Wiadomości Maryawickie”, book calendar), we find specific advice about working on a farm, property protection and health not only of humans, but also of animals and plants. The Mariavites did not stop at the praxeological dimension of agrarian education, pointing to the philosophical and theological foundations of the protection of creation. In this sense, they combined practice with theory based on theological premises, creating their own vision of what we now call ecotheology and ecopedagogy. Pro-ecological reflection and practice were an integral element of the educational ideology of the Mariavite Church, which grew out of positivist ideas. It belongs to the narrative which shows the primacy of the commandment to love God and neighbor. We can see its topicality through its close relationship with critical thinking and the eco-pedagogy which refers to it, as well as the broadly understood ecological turn in theology and social and economic life.