David Nitschmann, David Nitschmann, David Nitschmann {yes, there were three of them}, Johann Teltschik, Melchior Zeisberger. The five pillars of the church. Five young men who escaped from Suchdol. Three hundred years ago. Eleven days later, they reached Herrnhut. A detailed description of the journey has been preserved to this day. This was the start of a sermon at Suchdol Church on Sunday 13 October which I attended; let me explain …
In 1722 five brave men left their homes, families and friends, driven out by religious persecution. It was this escape into darkness that took me to the small town of Suchdol in south-east Czech Republic. After many upheavals in their recent history, the Moravian History Association is seeking to recapture the history of the Unity of Brethren.
The Thirty Years War had started in 1718 and increasingly it was dangerous to be a protestant in this Catholic land. Being a protestant meant imprisonment, torture and even death. Becoming refugees was their only hope to preserve their religion and their right, for example, to read the Bible in their own language.
The refugees walked through mountains, valleys and cornfields for over 500 miles. A difficult walk in harsh weather conditions for fit young men; a desperately difficult walk for the young and old that followed.
They were offered land in Saxony by Count Zinzendorf and established Herrnhut. Today this is the centre of the worldwide Moravian Church. Without the brave women and men of Moravia there would be no Moravian Church.
Here are just a few of the photographs I captured during this wonderful trip.
This Board illustrates the route followed by the refugees. Today this route is being walked by pilgrims and even completed by a Pastor on his bike, with biker members of his congregation.
The Rose Garden is near the Board. It marks the place, about a kilometer outside Suchdol, where the five men knelt to pray as they set out on their journey into the darkness.
Below is a wall of plaques in Suchdol. Each plaque is of a person who left this area and then went, usually via Herrnhut, to live and work in different parts of the world.
Let me close with a poem I was inspired to write after my visit to Suchdol.
Escape into darkness
Surrounded by darkness and threats
Stepping into the unknown
Leaving behind persecution and death.
Praying for guidance through the black, unwelcoming forest.
Some people support and some reject.
Carrying fear, for self and those left behind
Carrying hope and belief for a safer tomorrow.
Touching their past, can we see hope for our future?
Thank you for reading this. Soon I will be off to Herrnhut so the story will be picked up there. So much to share with you, including some women who each made a significant impact across our world. Please let me have your comments and thoughts. Mary
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