The kirha is ... What is the church?

Kirche is mainly called Lutheran ceremonial buildings. But this is not so. The German word kirche corresponds to the Russian concept of "church". In the New Testament, a special meaning is invested in it - the church (kirche) can name both the structure, and the community or the congregation of believing people without confessional coloring.

The church-building means three types of buildings: a chapel (chapel), a church and a cathedral. The chapel is a separate building, built for special needs. The church is the main parish building. Between them there are no liturgical differences - all ceremonies, ceremonies, ordinances can be held in the chapel and in the church.

Interior decoration of the kirkhs

The churches built in the traditional style are divided into parts characteristic of Christian religious buildings. At present, such a division in the construction of the church may be absent. The construction of buildings, any of their differences can not be an obstacle to the conduct of the service. What is the Lutheran church? Traditionally, the building consists of several parts:

• The vestibule is a space where auxiliary rooms are located: a library, a toilet, a cloakroom, rooms for employees of the parish, etc. Above the porch, towers that play the role of bells are usually located.
• Choruses - a room above the entrance, where the organ is located.
• Nave is the main part of the building for the parishioners. For them, there are special benches or ordinary chairs - this is of no fundamental importance. But in front of the altar there is a passage in many processions.
• Altar - by tradition, he is facing the east in the Lutheran church. Usually this is the elevation on which the cross or crucifixion is located. Behind the altar can be placed paintings or stained glass windows on a gospel theme. It can be an image of nature or just a window. The church is a church, a place for worship. Therefore, on the side of the altar is the pulpit.

Names of the church

• The church can be called by name of the district, street or city where it is located.
• Modern kirks call the names of important Christian concepts. For example, the Church of the Redeemer.
• Memorial names - in Lutheranism there is no institution of saints, therefore churches are named in memory of church leaders or rulers. For example, the Kirche of Louise (in memory of the Queen of Prussia) in Kaliningrad.
• The church may have a pre-reform name. Usually these are the most important personalities of the New Testament or the names of saints. For example, the church of St. Paul in Odessa.
• The name of the church, depending on the ethnicity of the parishioners. For example, the German church.

Origins of the Lutheran Church

In October 1517, the Augustinian monk and Professor Martin Luther published 95 theses. So there was a whole doctrine, different from the postulates of the Catholic Church. What was initially aimed at change ultimately led to the formation of a new church.

Kirche in the original sense is not only a building, but also a community of believers. After the Reformation, the Evangelical-Lutheran Church (kirche) occurs throughout Germany, Sweden, Finland from the 16th century. Later Lutheranism is fortified in the north of Germany, in Livonia. The universal construction of buildings for worship begins.

The legacy of the Teutonic Order

In the Kaliningrad region, a lot of the church of that time survived. In addition, the German khiris of an earlier period remained a legacy from the German states. In this territory the first churches appeared in the XIII century. The Teutonic Order in 1256 founded the Kirchha of Steindamm, five years later - the Kirkha of Pörkschen, in 1288 - the church of Judetten. More than 60 Catholic churches, built by the Teutonic Order, have now been preserved in the Kaliningrad region.

The Teutonic Order also laid the Koenigsberg Castle. The church, the library, the reception hall, the castle tower, the shelter, the royal chambers, the oat tower are the constituent parts of the former splendor. The name of the castle gave the name of the city, which is being built near the castle walls. Koenigsberger Castle - the oldest landmark of the city. In 1967, the remaining walls of the building were blown up. Now a decision has been made to restore it.

The Legacy of East Prussia

Since the XIV century, with the formation of German cities in the territory of East Prussia, the construction of Catholic churches began everywhere. More than 120 kirkhs have survived to the present day.

Cathedral

The first Catholic Cathedral was built in 1380. Gradually the cathedral was completed and painted in frescoes. The church is the center of the life of the parishioners. Thus, during the Order, the Cathedral was divided into two parts: one was prayed by knights, the other by parishioners.

Soon, next to the cathedral, the university building, a library with a collection of unique books and manuscripts, was built up. On his tower was placed a clock with a battle, later the cathedral was restored and a new organ was installed in it.

To date, the Catholic community in Kaliningrad is small. Therefore, it was decided to make from the Cathedral a kind of center-temple, where representatives of different faiths can pray alongside. Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics are currently holding worship services in the cathedral. Organize concerts and competitions of organ and classical music.

Judettenkirch

Juditen-kirha is perhaps the oldest building in Kaliningrad that has been preserved. The year of construction is 1288. The Catholic church is noteworthy in that crowds of pilgrims came here for centuries. At the end of the 14th century, a belfry with two bells was built, bright and juicy frescos were created, the ancient in Prussia was the sculpture - "Madonna on the Crescent", attributed to the great miracles and healings.

Kirche remained virtually intact after the war, the German inhabitants in it conducted services until 1948. But the building was thoroughly destroyed by the settlers from the Soviet Union. In early 1980, to save the attraction from destruction, the church was given to the Orthodox Church. Now there is a female St. Nicholas monastery.

Sights of the XIX-XX century

The historical building of Kaliningrad is the Lutheran church of Queen Louise. In honor of the royal person it was built in 1899. In the 60s, the authorities planned to demolish the building, but it was saved, by refurbishing the building in the Puppet Theater.

The Catholic chapel of St. Adalbert was built in 1904. Thirty years later, an edifice with round windows was added to it and the altar was rebuilt. The Chapel received the status of a kirkh. During the war, the attached part was damaged and dismantled, and in the old part of the church, an orthopedic facility was located. Now the building is the administration of the Research Institute.

The church of the Holy Family was built in 1907. According to the architect, the Catholic church was to become a family home for the parishioners, where the spirit of Christian love would reign. Only baptisms and weddings were held here. During the Second World War the church was damaged thoroughly and gradually destroyed. In 1980, after a lengthy renovation, the Regional Philharmonic Society was opened there. A Czech organ with 3600 pipes was installed.

The Catholic Church of St. Joseph was founded in 1931. The building had a tower in three floors and an oval roof. During the WWII, the church suffered slightly, and after the war the Railwaymen's Club was located here. In 1969, the building was rebuilt and placed in it commercial warehouses, which are located there until now.

The Kirks, who now act as Orthodox churches

Lutheran Ponarth-kirche is a beautiful building in the Gothic style. It was erected in 1897 at the expense of a local brewery, residents and a state subsidy. The organ of the kirche was presented by the Jewish community of the city. During the war, the cult site was almost not damaged. After the war, the spire from the kirks was removed, and the building was used as storage space. In 1991, the building was transferred to the ROC, and now it houses the Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.

The Lutheran church of Rosenau was founded in 1914. But because of the war (World War I), the construction of the temple had to be suspended. In 1926 the construction of the church was completed. During the Second World War, the church was practically not damaged and was used as a warehouse. 25 years ago the building was transferred to the ROC, and now the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin.

The Lutheran church of the Cross was built and solemnly consecrated in 1933. During the war, she received minor damage, and after the Second World War in the building was a car repair shop. In 1988 the building was transferred to the ROC, in 1994 it was consecrated, now it is the Orthodox Holy Cross Cathedral.

The last cult building, which the Germans built in Koenigsberg, was the Lutheran church of Christ. We built it in the working area, without excess and embellishment. The building was established in 1937. There were 720 people at the same time in the church. After the war, the building was adapted to the House of Culture. The building was handed over to the ROC, but, according to the leaders, while the club will work here.

Acting Lutheran and Catholic churches

Now in Kaliningrad, the Catholic Church has two parishes: the Holy Family and St. Adalbert. The church buildings were built in 1991 and 1992. The Catholic Center "Caritas West" also opened in 1992. There is a branch of the Catholic College in the city.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church was reborn in the city only in 1991. Lutherans gather in the building of the church on Mira Avenue. They also have a trial (church district), in which the mission "Light in the East" is registered.

What is the church? Before the Reformation, the church was called the church in the Germanic lands. Germany - the birthplace of the Reformation. After it, both Catholics and Lutherans called the church (the church) a building in which they gathered for worship. Now the church is called Lutheran and some German churches. For Catholics, depending on the country, it can be a church or a parish. For example, for residents of Belarus, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, the Catholic church is a church.