LAESTADIANISM AND RUSSIAN LUTHERAN BRETHREN AS THE PARTS OF THE UNITED PIETISTIC TRADITION

Abstract

The article compares the Laestadianism and Russian Lutheran Brethren as two parts of the Pietistic tradition. A brief history and the main provisions of the Pietism are outlined, as well as a brief description of the history of Laestadianism in the Sweden and the activities of Lars Levi Laestadius. Also the article describes the history of the Laestadianism in the Russian Empire. Laestadianism was spread in Finland, as well as through Finn immigrants who came to St. Petersburg. The story of the community "Uskovayset", or Hihhulites is set out. The features of the beliefs and practices of the Laestadians are set out: mandatory confession before "brothers", strict family morality (prohibition of contraception, divorce and remarriage), a categorical ban on alcohol, and the rejection of "worldly" entertainment. The article also describes the history of the Russian Lutheran Brethren. During World War II, many Germans were deported, and the Lutheran church was actually crushed. Post-Soviet Russian Lutheran Brethren are faced with the fact that pastors of the official church are too liberal and either refuse to contact with official Lutherans or demand to recognize their right to keep their traditions. Based on the study, the author comes to the conclusion that Laestadianism and Russian Lutheran Brethren have similar features in their religious and social attitudes: the idea of «born again», opposition to official church, strict separation of themselves from the world, strict morality, neutral or distant attitude to a state — it makes them the considered parts of the united Pietistic tradition.

Keywords

• lutheranism
• pietism
• scandinavian countries
• lars levi laestadius
• laestadianism
• russian empire
• karelia
• uskovaiset
• hihhulites
• lutheran brethren