Traditions > Communion
Communion
Typically, the Volga colonists received the Lord’s Supper (Communion) twice yearly. The times determined for the celebration were between Easter and Pentecost in springtime and after the harvest in autumn.
The Lord’s Supper was always celebrated in the church building. The services were held in the church in late autumn before moving to the schoolhouse for the cold winter months. In the springtime, worship services began when the congregation returned to the church. Given that the number of communicants significantly increased over time in large parishes, such as Norka, Pastor Seib wrote that the Lord's Supper worship service could last from 9:00 a.m. in the morning to 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon to accommodate all who wanted to partake.
Church registers were kept of all family members participating in Communion from at least 1834 to 1905. The Russian archives have yet to identify records before and after this period.
The Lord’s Supper was always celebrated in the church building. The services were held in the church in late autumn before moving to the schoolhouse for the cold winter months. In the springtime, worship services began when the congregation returned to the church. Given that the number of communicants significantly increased over time in large parishes, such as Norka, Pastor Seib wrote that the Lord's Supper worship service could last from 9:00 a.m. in the morning to 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon to accommodate all who wanted to partake.
Church registers were kept of all family members participating in Communion from at least 1834 to 1905. The Russian archives have yet to identify records before and after this period.
Interior of the Norka Church in 1912 with the altar and Communion Table in front and the side pulpit to the right. Photograph used with permission of AHSGR.
Sources
Seib, Eduard. "Der Wolgadeutsche im Spiegel seines Brauchtums."Heimatbuch Der Deutschen Aus Russland 1967/1968 (1968): Print.
Last updated November 26, 2023