Traditions > Confirmation
Confirmation
Konfirmation (Confirmation) was a church sacrament for young people (typically ages 13 to 16) and represented a coming of age for those who had already been baptized. Classes met weekly on Saturdays, from September to Palm Sunday, for instruction in church doctrine and Bible history. Memorizing the books of The Bible, The Apostles' Creed, The Lord's Prayer, and selective passages such as Psalm 23. The students were required to memorize answers to questions (including Bible verses) that would be asked on their Confirmation day.
Usually, the class would be presented to the church congregation on Palm Sunday. Sometimes, Confirmation occurred on Pentecost.
When the examination of the confirmands was complete, the class was invited to receive Holy Communion for the first time. After the Confirmation ceremony, the students received a certificate and a Bible. Those confirmed were encouraged to become church members and participate as active adults.
The earliest known confirmand in Norka was Anna Marie Biehn (Bihn). According to the Norka Church Register 1845-1845, she was born on June 5, 1770, and was confirmed in 1784. There may have been earlier confirmations, but no church records before 1834 are known to exist.
Usually, the class would be presented to the church congregation on Palm Sunday. Sometimes, Confirmation occurred on Pentecost.
When the examination of the confirmands was complete, the class was invited to receive Holy Communion for the first time. After the Confirmation ceremony, the students received a certificate and a Bible. Those confirmed were encouraged to become church members and participate as active adults.
The earliest known confirmand in Norka was Anna Marie Biehn (Bihn). According to the Norka Church Register 1845-1845, she was born on June 5, 1770, and was confirmed in 1784. There may have been earlier confirmations, but no church records before 1834 are known to exist.
A portion of the Norka confirmation register from 1869. The German text handwritten by Rev. Christoph Heinrich Bonwetsch translates as follows: "On April 6, 1869, as Sunday approached, the following enraptured children who received dedicated instruction, had open examination in the Norka church yesterday; were confirmed and patiently accepted Holy Communion." This confirmation class included Heinrich Deines (born 14 Jan 1855), Conrad Schwarz (born 12 Jan 1854) and Nicolaus Krieger (born 30 Aug 1753). Document and translation provided courtesy of Joanne Krieger.
Confirmation dates were generally listed on the Parochial Certificates that many immigrants from Norka carried to the New World.
Sources
Krieger, Joanne. Portland, Oregon.
Seib, Eduard. "Der Wolgadeutsche im Spiegel seines Brauchtums." Heimatbuch Der Deutschen Aus Russland 1967/1968 (1968): Print.
Norka Church Register 1834-1845
Seib, Eduard. "Der Wolgadeutsche im Spiegel seines Brauchtums." Heimatbuch Der Deutschen Aus Russland 1967/1968 (1968): Print.
Norka Church Register 1834-1845
Last updated February 6, 2024