Traditions > Confirmation
Confirmation
Konfirmation (Confirmation) was a sacrament of the church for young people (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. All of those confirmed were encouraged to become members of the church and to participate as active adults.
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. All of those confirmed were encouraged to become members of the church and to participate as active adults.
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.
Seib, Eduard. "Der Wolgadeutsche im Spiegel seines Brauchtums." Heimatbuch Der Deutschen Aus Russland 1967/1968 (1968): Print.
Last updated September 18, 2017.