THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

Protestant confession (see note to Article 779) constitute, in a certain sense, a common Protestant denomination in the eyes of the lawgiver. This is also implied in the general caption of Book II, Part 1, Vol. XI. (The statute on Ecclesiastical Affairs of foreign denominations.) “To count our communion (with basically Protestant views and rites) among the new sects, which have seceded from the Orthodox Church, would impose upon us entirely new and strange forms of church life. Preservation of Independence 633 These would be contrary to the ‘church regulations and customs’ on the basis of which we have lived for centuries (even prior to Menno Simons, who died in 1559, and from whom we derive our present name) in foreign countries, and for more than one hundred years in Russia (since 1789). Only on the basis of the solemn promise of the inviolability of the absolute independence in our church life ‘for eternal times’ through the great Tsarina (an independence which has, until this day, been graciously, sacredly and faithfully guarded by all Russian tsars) have our fathers entrusted themselves to the protection of Russian suzerainty. As a so-called, United Old-Evangelical, ‘Mennonite Brotherhood’ with its church leadership (the spiritual ministers, Article 1105), our ancestors have come into the new fatherland. From this Brotherhood, on the basis of the one imperial law which applies to us, and based on the one (in essence) Old-Evangelical confession of the faith, new congregations (brotherhoods, church-parishes) are established, with the same common church rights and with an uninterrupted spiritual leadership, elected ‘from the body of the fellowship’ or brotherhood through its members and confirmed by the (church) elders [presbyters]. “With regard to government recognition of our church leaders, which is referred to in the projected legislation of the Minister of the Interior, we desire to abide by the ‘Rules of our Confession’ as practiced until this day. Until now the respective authority has only demanded information 10 about those church officials who have kept the church records. Until this day the government has not interfered in any other aspect of the internal ecclesiastical affairs of our church fellowship. “B. The Church Leaders of the Mennonites “Our church leaders are not called in a superficial manner. They are first of all elected by the respective congregation (brotherhood, church parish) in a solemn manner, with prayer, as they meet in their place of worship. They are chosen from the ranks of such persons who have demonstrated their Christian character in word and conduct, and who also possess the necessary knowledge of Christian doctrine, as well as the gift of instruction. This general knowledge is acquired by them in attending various types of schools, both on the lower and higher level. However, the doctrines of faith are mainly learned in the ‘bosom of the fellowship,’ in