Kirkha is mainly called Lutheran ceremonial buildings. But it's not. The German word kirche corresponds to the Russian concept of "church". In the New Testament, it has a special meaning - a church (church) can be called both a building and a community or a gathering of believers without confessional coloring.
Church-building implies 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. There are no liturgical differences between them - all ceremonies, rites, sacraments can be held both in the chapel and in the church.
Interior decoration of the church
Churches built in the traditional style are divided into parts typical for Christian places of worship. At present, such a division during the construction of the church may be absent. The arrangement of buildings, any of their differences cannot serve as an obstacle to the conduct of the service. What is a Lutheran church? Traditionally, the building consists of several parts:
- The vestibule is a space where auxiliary premises are located: a library, a toilet, a locker room, rooms for parish employees, etc. Towers are usually located above the vestibule, which play the rolebelfries.
- Chorus - the room above the entrance where the organ is located.
- The nave is the main part of the building for parishioners. For them, there are special benches or ordinary chairs here - this is of no fundamental importance. But in front of the altar during many processions, a passage is provided.
- Altar - according to tradition, it is facing east in the Lutheran church. Usually this is an elevation on which a cross or crucifix is located. Behind the altar there may be paintings or stained-glass windows on the gospel theme. It can be an image of nature or just a window. Kirkha is a church, a place for worship. Therefore, the pulpit is located to the side of the altar.
Names of churches
- A church can be named after the name of the district, street or city where it is located.
- Modern churches are named after important Christian concepts. For example, the Church of the Redeemer.
- Memorial names - there is no institution of saints in Lutheranism, so churches are named in memory of church leaders or rulers. For example, Louise's church (in memory of the Queen of Prussia) in Kaliningrad.
- Kirch may have a pre-reformation name. Usually these are the most important figures of the New Testament or the names of saints. For example, St. Paul's Church in Odessa.
- The name of the church, depending on the ethnicity of the parishioners. For example, the German church.
The origins of the Lutheran Church
In October 1517, the Augustinian monk and professor Martin Luther published 95 theses. So a whole doctrine arose, different from the postulates of the Catholic Church. What was originally intended to change, eventually 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 (kircha) appeared everywhere in Germany, Sweden, and Finland from the 16th century. Later, Lutheranism strengthened in the north of Germany, in Livonia. The construction of buildings for worship begins everywhere.
Heritage of the Teutonic Order
In the Kaliningrad region, a lot of churches of that time have been preserved. In addition, German churches of an earlier period were left as a legacy from the German states. The first churches appeared in this area in the 13th century. The Teutonic Order founded the Steindamm church in 1256, the Pörkschen church five years later, and the Juditten church in 1288. More than 60 Catholic churches built by the Teutonic Order have been preserved in the territory of the Kaliningrad region.
The Teutonic Order also laid the Königsberg Castle. Church, library, reception hall, castle tower, orphanage, royal chambers, oat tower are components of the former splendor. The name of the castle gave its name to the city that was being built near the walls of the castle. Königsberg Castle is the oldest landmark of the city. In 1967, the remaining walls of the building were blown up. A decision has now been made to restore it.
East Prussian heritage
From the XIV century, with the formation of German cities on the territory of East Prussia, beganeverywhere and the construction of Catholic churches. More than 120 churches have survived to the present.
Cathedral
The first Catholic Cathedral was built in 1380. Gradually, the cathedral was completed and painted inside with frescoes. Kirkha is the center of parishioners' life. So, during the time of the Order, the Cathedral was divided into 2 parts: the knights prayed in one, the parishioners prayed in the other.
Soon a university building, a library with a collection of unique books and manuscripts, grew up next to the cathedral. A striking clock was placed on its tower, later the cathedral was restored and a new organ was installed in it.
Today, the Catholic community in Kaliningrad is small. Therefore, it was decided to make a kind of center-temple out of the Cathedral, where representatives of different faiths could pray nearby. Now Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics hold services in the cathedral. They organize concerts and competitions of organ and classical music.
Juditten Church
Juditten Church is perhaps the oldest building in Kaliningrad that has been preserved. The year of construction is 1288. The Catholic church is notable for the fact that crowds of pilgrims have come here for centuries. At the end of the 14th century, a belfry with two bells was built, bright and rich frescoes were created, inside the church there was the oldest sculpture in Prussia - “Madonna on the Crescent Moon”, which is credited with great miracles and healings.
Kirch remained practically intact after the war, Germanresidents held services there until 1948. But the building was thoroughly destroyed by immigrants from the Soviet Union. At the beginning of 1980, in order to protect the landmark from destruction, the church was transferred to the Orthodox Church. Now here is the female St. Nicholas Monastery.
Sights of the 19th-20th centuries
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 they managed to save it by converting the building into a Puppet Theater.
St. Adalbert's Catholic Chapel was built in 1904. After 30 years, a building with round windows was added to it and the altar was rebuilt. The chapel received the status of a church. During the war, the attached part was damaged and dismantled, and a prosthetic enterprise was located in the old part of the church. The building now houses the administration of the Research Institute.
The Sagrada Familia was built in 1907. As conceived by the architect, the Catholic church was to become a family home for parishioners, where the spirit of Christian love would reign. Only baptisms and weddings were held here. During the Second World War, the church was heavily damaged and gradually destroyed. In 1980, after a long reconstruction, the Regional Philharmonic was opened in it. Installed Czech organ with 3600 pipes.
The Catholic Church of St. Joseph was founded in 1931. The building had a tower of three floors and an oval roof. During the Second World War, the church was slightly damaged, andafter 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 today.
Kirches, now operating as Orthodox churches
Lutheran Ponart Church is a beautiful building in the Gothic style. It was built in 1897 at the expense of a local brewery, residents and government subsidies. The church's organ was donated by the city's Jewish community. During the war, the religious building was almost not damaged. After the war, the spire was removed from the church, and the building was used as storage space. In 1991, the building was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, and now it houses the Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Lutheran Church 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 handed over to the Russian Orthodox Church, and now the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary is here.
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, the building was a car repair shop. In 1988, the building was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, in 1994 it was consecrated, now it is the Orthodox Holy Cross Cathedral.
The last religious building that the Germans built in Königsberg was the Lutheran Church of Christ. They built it in a working area,no frills and embellishments. The building was created in 1937. 720 people could be in the church at the same time. After the war, the building was adapted for the House of Culture. The building was handed over to the Russian Orthodox Church, but, according to the leaders, the club will work here for now.
Active Lutheran and Catholic Churches
Now in Kaliningrad there are 2 parishes near the Catholic Church: the Holy Family and St. Adalbert. The church buildings were built in 1991 and 1992. The Catholic Center "Caritas West" also opened in 1992. Operates in the city and a branch of the Catholic College.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church was revived in the city only in 1991. Lutherans gather in the church building on Mira Avenue. They also have a probate (church district), in which the mission "Light in the East" is registered.
What is a church? Before the Reformation, churches were called churches in the German lands. Germany is the birthplace of the Reformation. After her, both Catholics and Lutherans called the church (church) the building in which they gathered for worship. Now the Lutheran and some German churches are called the church. 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, a Catholic church is a church.