Page 51 - Pilgrims in Georgia

R A Struggle for Survival

The Moravian Church’s name comes from the place of origin of their church in the old territories of
Moravia and Bohemia during 800’s. It is believed that these countries converted to Christianity
chiefly through the influence of two missionaries, Cyril and Methodius. This is now in the area of
the Czech Republic. There they began their own national church and translated the Bible into their
common language, however over time they gradually came under the authority of the Roman
Catholic Church. Yet there remained an independently minded element of the Moravian people
that would set the stage for an early reformer, John Hus (1369-1415). He was a professor of
philosophy and rector of the University in Prague and the Bethlehem Chapel in Prague, where Hus
preached, this became a rallying place for the Czech reformation. It was 100 years before Marin
Luther’s nailing of his 95 theses to the Wittenberg Door. Gaining support from students and the
common people, he led a protest movement against many practices of the Roman Catholic clergy
Jan Hus and hierarchy. Eventually, Hus was accused of heresy, underwent a long trial at the Council of

Constance, was betrayed, and was burned at the stake on July 6, 1415.

However, the reformation spirit did not die with Him. The Moravian Church, or
Unitas Fratrum (Unity of Brethren), as it has been officially known, arose as
followers of Hus gathered in the village of Kunvald, about 100 miles east of Prague,
in eastern Bohemia, and organized the church in 1457. By the 1600’s due to the
Counter Reformation, the Thirty-Years War (1618–1648), and after being
abandoned and betrayed by the local nobility which had previously tolerated or

supported them, the Brethren were forced to operate underground and eventually
dispersed across Northern Europe and as far as the Low Countries. Durant says,
“These ‘Moravian Brethren’ were almost exterminated in the Thirty Years’ War;
they survived through the leadership of John Comenius.” He and the Unity became
special targets of the Counter-Reformation movement and were forced into exile. Bishop John Amos Comenius
A prime leader of the Brethren, Bishop John Amos Comenius was forced to live
most of his life in exile in England and in Holland where he died. He became world-
renowned for his progressive views of education and is widely accepted as the
Father of Modern Education, His prayer was that some day the "hidden seed" of

his beloved Brethren might once again spring to new life.