Perilous Journey: The Mennonite Brethren in Russia 1860-1910, John B. Toews, 1988

ay services were held on a weekly basis. The colonists in more remote villages usually met once or twice a month in the local school. In the Chortitza settlement elder Jacob Dyck, assisted by a number of Lehrer (teacher-ministers) like David Epp, preached in the various villages on a rotating basis. Since their beginnings in the sixteenth century Mennonites had affirmed only two ordinances: the Lord's Supper and 2 Baptism. Both were considered sacred and holy but conveyed no special grace to the participants. Communion was a solemn affair for the Chortitza Mennonites. There was a concern with the quality of the inner life which possibly reflected an older Prussian custom in which all potential communicants engaged in a serious self-scrutiny before participation. In Chortitza all congregational members heard a preparatory sermon (Vorbereitungspredigt) on the Sunday prior to the celebration. Customary practice dictated that only the elder administered the ordinance. In David Epp's Chortitza of 1838 Jacob Dyck served some 280 members of bis Chortitza congregation on February 6. 3 The following Sunday he shared the rite with 251 parishioners in Neuendorf. In each case, a sermon of praise and thanks (Dankpredigt) was preached on the following Sunday. Generally the Lord's Supper was celebrated only once or twice a year. Baptismal services were held annually, usually on the Day of Pentecost. Preparations began well in advance, at least according to David Epp's diary. In Chortitza and Neuendorf the Sunday morning readings of the articles of faith commenced on March 20, 1838. The process was momentarily diverted as special worship assemblies marked the passing of Palm Sunday, Good Friday as well as Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Tuesday was still considered a holiday though no services were held. Two weeks after Easter, Jacob Dyck in Chortitza and David Epp in Neuendorf presented the articles a second time. 4 At the third reading the following week 27 young people presented themselves for baptism in Neuendorf, 50 in Chortitza. 5 The following Sunday when the articles were presented for the fourth time the number of candidates increased to 31 and 58 respectively. 6 A week later, after the articles were read for the fifth time, the Bruderschaft (brotherhood meeting) in both villages officially voted to accept the candidates for baptism. 7 Now tbe young people began their catechism classes. In Neuendorf the sessions were conducted by David Epp, in Chortitza by elder Dyck. 8 On May 15 all candidates sat on the front benches and listened as the articles of faith were read for the sixth time. 9 Did they believe? Were they committed? The assembled young people responded affirmatively to elder Dyck's questions. The following Sunday the elder baptized 56 people in Chortitza, then travelled to Neuendorf where he baptized another 31. Immediately after the baptism, minister Penner reminded the Chortitza congre