Lutheranism, one of the main and largest followers of Protestantism. Church organizations belonging to this trend are usually called Evangelical Lutheran churches.

Lutheranism is named for its founder Martin Luther (1483-1546). M. Luther was born in the small Saxon town of Eisleben in a poor family. His father gave his son a good education. After graduating from the University of Erfurt and receiving a master's degree, M. Luther, however, refuses to teach at the university, takes monastic vows and then becomes a Catholic priest. As a priest, he receives a doctorate in theology.

Usually, October 31, 1517, is considered the founding date of Lutheranism, when M. Luther nailed to the door of the church in Wittenberg, where he served as a priest, a board with 95 theses, in which he severely criticized Catholicism. But sometimes the foundation of this trend is timed to coincide with the winter of 1513-14, since it was at this time that M. Luther came to the conclusion about the decisive importance for the salvation of God's mercy. There is another point of view, according to which the emergence of Lutheranism is associated with 1530, when the Augsburg Confession, written by an associate of M. Luther Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560), containing the foundations of the Lutheran dogma, was published.

The doctrinal provisions of Lutheranism are given in the so-called Book of Concord. It includes three historical creeds (Apostolic, Nicene, or Nicene-Constantinople, and Athanasian), the Augsburg Confession and the Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531), the Small and Large (for children and adults) Luther's catechisms (1529), the Schmalkalden articles ( containing sharp criticism of Catholicism, the response of Lutheran leaders to the invitation of Pope Paul III to the council in Mantua, which was to be held in 1537) and the Formula of Concord (adopted in 1577, a church document in which the dispute between his supporters that arose after the death of M. Luther was resolved). Among these documents, particular importance is attached to the Augsburg Confession and Luther's Small Catechism.

Lutherans, like most Christians, accept the teachings of the Holy Trinity and the dual nature of Jesus Christ - divine and human. They also believe in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, His resurrection and ascension.

One of the most important doctrines of Lutheranism is the position that man can be saved only by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ (the so-called sola gratia and sola fide). Lutherans believe that because of original sin, a person needs reconciliation with God, and this reconciliation, together with the forgiveness of sins, is the essence of justification. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer, who receives it through the Holy Spirit. According to Lutheranism, a person's justification before God occurs not as a result of his merits and good deeds, but by the grace of God. Lutherans do not deny that believers should do good works, but they assert that these works themselves are the fruit of faith.

In Lutheranism, as in Calvinism, the doctrine of the predestination of certain chosen people to salvation is adopted, but in this current of Protestantism, unlike Calvinism, there is no provision for choosing people to condemnation. Lutherans, like most other Protestants, recognize the Holy Scripture as the only source, rule and norm of faith. The creeds and other provisions adopted by tradition are, according to Lutheranism, only a subordinate character. Lutheranism rejects the purgatory recognized in Catholicism (an intermediate link between hell and heaven), prayers for the dead, and the possibility of the intercession of the saints before God.

The dogma of Lutheranism is strictly Christocentric, in contrast to the teachings of Calvinism, which is more likely to be characterized by God-centrism, and Pentecostalism, with its spirit-centric tendencies.

The two sacraments generally recognized in Lutheranism are baptism and communion (the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, the sacrament of the altar). They are not considered only as simple cult rites. Baptism performed in childhood is perceived by Lutherans as the water of rebirth, a baptized person is, as it were, born again in Christ, his sins are forgiven and he is freed from the power of evil. Baptism is considered a prerequisite for salvation. It is usually done by Lutherans by sprinkling, but it can be done in other forms. The Lord's Supper, Lutherans believe, was established by Christ to strengthen faith, to express the believer's union with God. Believing in the true presence in the elements of communion - bread and wine - the body and blood of Christ, Lutherans nevertheless abandoned the Catholic and Orthodox doctrine of transubstantiation (change of substance) of bread and wine. The Lord's Supper is celebrated in some Lutheran churches only once a year - on Good Friday, in others - much more often. The Lutherans did not develop a unified view of confession. If in the Lutheran confessions of the XVI century. it was considered a sacrament, now some Lutherans consider it simply as a rite. Lutherans also consider confirmation, ordination, marriage, and unction to be rites only.

Unlike Catholics and Calvinists, Lutherans strictly separate the spheres of gospel and law. The first of them is connected with the church, the second - with the state. The law condemns, but the gospel justifies. The law is seen as God's wrath, the gospel as God's mercy.

Liturgical practice in Lutheran churches, as in other churches of Protestantism, is greatly simplified in comparison with the Catholic cult. Nevertheless, the Lutherans did not go as far in simplifying rituals as the Calvinists, Baptists, Methodists, and retained a number of elements of the Catholic liturgy. During worship in Lutheran churches, candles are lit, some of them use incense. Not recognizing icons, Lutheranism allows the presence in churches of wall paintings on biblical subjects. The churches have an altar, the cross is the official church symbol. Unlike Calvinist clergy, Lutheran pastors wear special church vestments, although they are much more modest than those of Catholic priests. Previously, the vestments were black, but now pastors wear an alba (white liturgical robe), over which another vestment is put on, which differs in different national churches.

Sermons are central to church services. In addition to it, hymns are sung, prayers and passages from the Holy Scriptures are read. Divine services are performed in national languages. In the XX century. some Lutheran churches have somewhat simplified their rituals.

Lutheranism proclaimed the priesthood of all believers and thereby erased the sharp line that separated the laity from the priests. Nevertheless, the clergy (pastors) in the Lutheran churches still exist, since the priesthood, as the Lutherans emphasize, was established by Christ himself. Pastors in Lutheran churches are elected and remain in office for life. Ordination (ordination) is considered in Lutheranism as a custom that has roots in the ancient church, but is not considered mandatory. In this regard, most Lutheran churches have lost the apostolic succession of ordination. In the last decades of the XX century. in many Lutheran churches, the ordination of women was introduced into practice. Lutheranism also lacks a unified system of church organization. Lutheran churches have Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Congregational forms of organization. Church heads may have the title of bishop, general superintendent, or president. The affairs of the churches are governed by synods, which include both clergy and laity. As a rule, Lutheran churches in different states are completely independent (in some countries, for example, in the USA, there are several Lutheran churches).

In general, Lutheran churches are inclined to consider both ritual and church organization as spheres of adiaphora, that is, that which is indifferent from the point of view of faith, since it is neither confirmed nor refuted by Holy Scripture. Therefore, some rites can be performed, but you can not perform. Church organization can also be different.

In 1947, the World Lutheran Federation was established in Lund (Sweden), with Geneva as its headquarters. However, this organization is not some kind of administrative center, but is only called upon to promote the unity of the Lutheran churches, provide assistance to those in need, and promote missionary work.

The total number of followers of Lutheranism all over the world is 76 million people. The largest number of Lutherans is still concentrated in Germany (27 million, or 35% of the country's population). Supporters of Lutheranism form the majority of the population in the countries of Northern Europe: in Denmark (4.6 million, or 89%), Sweden (4.4 million, or 53%; church statistics show a much higher figure, but a significant part of people formally listed as Lutherans, actually moved away from religion), Finland (4.2 million, or 85%), Norway (3.8 million, or 89%), Iceland (243 thousand, or 96%), Faroe Islands (38 thousand, or 79%). From other European countries, there are significant groups of adherents of Lutheranism in

The most important and, in fact, the only thing that God requires of us is that we honor Him as God: that we put all our hope only in Him, that we completely and completely in life and death, in time and in eternity, trust To him.

Man's sin lies precisely in the fact that he is not capable of such things, that he thinks more about himself than about God, that his heart does not belong wholly and completely to the Lord. Sin is not individual actions, but the remoteness of a person from God, in a person's turning towards himself.

In most religions, and in many Christian Churches, they teach that a person himself must, in one way or another, become pleasing to God, must work on himself, that sin must be overcome by the inner forces of a person. Because of such calls, a person again and again turns to himself. Salvation becomes his business. He relies, at least in part, on himself. And therefore he cannot put all his hope wholly and completely in God. Thus, the more pious and religious a person is, the more he relies on his own strength, and the farther he is from God. It's a vicious circle. This is the tragedy of human sin: even if a person really becomes better by his efforts, he still, thereby, moves away from God. And this tragedy is inevitable, because man is so arranged. Everything around us teaches us that if we want to achieve something, we need to make an effort, we need to change something in ourselves. In Lutheran teaching this is called law. Fulfilling the law outwardly, a person may look very righteous, but since this righteousness is achieved through the efforts of the person himself, it leads him away from God, and therefore such righteousness is the offspring of sin.

The way out of this vicious circle was given to us by God Himself in Jesus Christ: through His death and Resurrection, God forgave us, accepted us. Accepted without any conditions, once and for all. This story is called the Gospel. The gospel completely overturns the usual worldview. If a person comprehends the Gospel, then he no longer has to do anything for his salvation. He just realizes that he's already saved. Saved without merit. He owes his salvation only to God Himself. Man now sees his salvation and all the best and greatest not in himself, but only in God. This is what faith is: looking beyond oneself, looking at Christ, refusing to save oneself - complete trust in God. A believer turns out to be righteous precisely when he refuses to achieve his righteousness and accepts that he, as he is, righteous or unrighteous, is accepted by God. As if without looking back, a person rushes into the open arms of God, no longer thinking about himself. It is the righteousness of the gospel, the righteousness of faith. A righteousness based not on one's own achievements and deeds, but only on the forgiveness of God. The believer does not ask himself: “Have I done enough for my salvation, have I sincerely repented of my sins, do I firmly believe?” The believer thinks only of Christ, of what He has done.

To believe means to understand that nothing that is inside me can cause my salvation.

To believe means: in the midst of all doubts and temptations, to look beyond oneself - to the crucified Christ and only to Him.

This is the fulfillment of what God requires: to completely and completely trust in Him, to be focused only on Him, only in Him, and not in oneself to seek salvation. Therefore, only faith (and not deeds, not work on oneself) is saving. Or rather: not faith itself, but what we believe in - God, as He revealed to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Around this central statement (confession), this radical focus on Jesus Christ, the rest of the dogma of the Lutheran Church is formed, while it retains most of the traditional dogmas of Christianity.

LUTHERAN SERVICE

Do not look for your own merits, but, recognizing your helplessness before sin, completely trust God - to believe. Because of his sinfulness, this is very difficult for a person, almost impossible. Therefore, it is necessary to proclaim the Gospel to him again and again, turning his gaze beyond himself - to the cross of Jesus Christ. Again and again, a person needs to proclaim the forgiveness given to him by God. Again and again to remind that he does not save himself, that his salvation is the merit of Christ alone. This is the main meaning of Lutheran worship. The entire course of worship and the entire arrangement of each church building is subordinated to this goal.
The story (announcement) about salvation is carried out in various forms, primarily in a sermon.
Therefore, in every church there is a pulpit from which the pastor or preacher reads his sermon. A sermon is the proclamation of the Gospel in a living and free form, focusing on the current situation of believers, accessible and understandable to them. Therefore, preaching is the center of Lutheran worship.
The second center is the Sacrament of Communion (Eucharist), which is performed at Lutheran services regularly (in some communities every week or even more often). The altar in every church is the table for this sacred meal. The Sacrament of Communion for Lutherans is the same Word of forgiveness, "said" in a particularly material form. Taking bread and wine in Communion, those gathered partake of the Body and Blood of Christ. This means that God's love itself in a material, tangible way touches them, that they literally take into themselves the forgiveness proclaimed by God in the death of Jesus Christ. Therefore, on the altar, as a rule, there is a crucifix lit by candles, reminiscent of the Savior's death on the cross. Also on the altar lies the Bible, which is the oldest and most authoritative testimony of Christ.
The altar is open (everyone can approach it: an adult and a child, a woman and a man): Christ calls everyone to His meal; He calls everyone to hear and taste the Word of salvation. All Christians are usually invited to Communion in the Lutheran Church, regardless of their affiliation to one Church or another, if they acknowledge that in this Sacrament they receive the Body and Blood of Christ.
Often in the church you can see a board with numbers. These are numbers of hymns from special collections, which are in the hands of parishioners. At each divine service, as a rule, several church hymns are heard. These hymns were written by Christians of various times and peoples. These are testimonies of their faith, their prayers and their confessions, to which we join with our singing today.
In the Lutheran church, it is customary to sit on benches or chairs during worship so that nothing interferes with the concentrated perception of the sermon. It is customary to rise from the pew or kneel only during prayer or at especially important and solemn moments of the liturgy.
Often, after the sermon, donations are collected for community or charitable needs.

The service is usually led by an ordained pastor or preacher. However, he does not have any special "grace", he is no different from other believers. A pastor is a person who has received the appropriate education and who, on behalf of the Church, is officially entrusted with the public preaching of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments.

Focus on the diverse proclamation of the Gospel (a story about forgiveness and salvation that God grants to man), openness, simplicity, modesty, and at the same time careful preservation of the ancient traditions of the Christian Church - these are the main features of Lutheran worship.

THE ORIGIN OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH

The medieval German theologian and clergyman Martin Luther (1483-1546) was one of those believers who was particularly sensitive to the question of his salvation. He was taught in the monastery that only he will be saved who can sincerely and deeply repent of his sins before God. Luther invariably asked himself: “How can I know that my repentance is sincere and deep enough, how can I know if I have done enough for my salvation?” Eventually, his answer was, “I don't know if my repentance is enough, I don't know if I'm worthy of salvation. Most likely, no. But I know one thing: Christ died for me. Can I doubt the power of His Sacrifice? Only in her, and not in myself, I will trust. This discovery shocked and inspired many of his contemporaries. Inside the Western medieval Church, a party of its supporters is rapidly forming, who wish to renew the church doctrine and preaching. Thus begins the Reformation. Luther himself did not seek to separate from the existing Church and create a new one. His only goal was that in the Church, whatever its external structures, traditions and forms, the preaching of the Gospel should sound freely. However, due to historical reasons, a split was inevitable. One of its consequences was the emergence of the Lutheran Church.

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH TODAY
Separate Lutheran Churches, each of which is independent, are most common today in Germany, Scandinavia, the Baltics and the USA. There are many Lutherans in Latin America and Africa. There are about 70 million Lutherans in the world. Most of the Lutheran Churches are united in the Lutheran World Federation (WLF). Also, most of the Lutheran Churches are in full communion with the Reformed (Calvinist, Presbyterian) Church and with a number of other Protestant Churches that have remained faithful to the traditional principles of the Reformation. Lutheran theologians are engaged in an interested and fruitful dialogue with representatives of Orthodoxy.

The contribution of the Lutheran Church to the development of theology, to world and Russian culture is enormous. Albrecht Dürer, Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Wilhelm Küchelbecker, Paul Tillich, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Rudolf Bultmann are just some of the famous names. Each of them was a staunch Lutheran.
Many researchers associate the economic well-being and political successes of the modern West precisely with the ethics of the Reformation, which values ​​hard work, responsibility, honesty, adherence to duty, caring for others, the ability to stand firmly on one's own two feet, but condemning excessive luxury.
Already in the sixteenth century, Lutherans appeared in Russia. Until the October Revolution of 1917, Lutheranism was the second largest church in the Russian Empire in terms of the number of believers, and numbered several million believers, mostly of German origin. The head of the Russian Lutheran Church was the Emperor of the Russian Empire himself. In Soviet times, the Lutheran Church in Russia was almost completely destroyed. Only a few scattered communities managed to survive.
Today there is a complex and laborious process of the revival of the Lutheran Church in Russia and the search for new ways for her to preach the Gospel in a completely new situation for her in the modern world.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church is a gathering of people deeply affected by the event of the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Only in this event they see the basis and center of their spiritual life.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church is a community of people who recognize the depth of their guilt before God, all their sinfulness, but at the same time boldly hope in God's love and His forgiveness.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church is a traditional Church that recognizes and accepts the main Christian creeds:
- about the trinity of God
- about the divinity of Jesus Christ
- about the need for the Sacraments (Baptism and Communion).
But, at the same time, this is the Church, constantly striving for a new understanding of ancient truths, not afraid to reflect on theological problems, pose new, sometimes “uncomfortable” questions and seek their own answers to them.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church recognizes the truth of other Christian Churches proclaiming Jesus Christ, is open to dialogue with them and is ready to learn from them.
In its teaching, worship and customs, the Evangelical Lutheran Church is guided by the forms and traditions developed over thousands of years in Western Christianity.
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church are not fanatics, but ordinary people who do not close themselves exclusively in their own circle, but are ready for communication. People who live a normal everyday life, who know how to appreciate the joys of the world around them and do not refuse them.

For certain reasons, Christianity, as the original religion, was divided into several branches, which are distinguished from each other by dogmatic and cult features. These include Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism. It is about the latter direction that we will talk, or rather about Lutheranism as its subspecies. In this article you will find the answer to the question: “Is a Lutheran…?” - and also learn about the history of this belief, differences from Catholicism and other similar religions.

How did Lutheranism come about?

The 16th century in Europe is the time of the religious revolution, which marked the beginning of new offshoots from the main one. It all started with the fact that some believers began to deny the doctrine and preach their own dogmas. They wanted to reform religion according to the Bible. This is how the reform movement arose, which at that time affected not only the religious sphere of medieval Europe, but also the political and social (after all, at that time the church was not separated from other areas of human life).

The first to speak out against the existing Catholic course of faith was It was he who publicly condemned the indulgences that supposedly guaranteed life in paradise, and also wrote the “95 Theses”. In them, he outlined his vision of a new, reorganized, faith. Of course, he was condemned, called a heretic, but a start was made. Protestantism began to spread, and of course, different trends began to appear.

Those believers who followed Martin Luther became known as Lutherans. These were the first Protestants. They retained those dogmas that Martin wrote. Then came Calvinists, Anabaptists, and many others. Everyone found their own correct way of worshiping God, praying to him, and so on. What is noteworthy: in each current there were also their branches, which differed only in some dogmas and in the way of understanding the Bible. Of course, everyone thought he was right.

Difference between Lutheran and Catholicism

So now let's consider how big the difference is between Lutheranism and Catholicism, from which it actually came out. Here we can formulate several theses:

1. Lutherans do not recognize priests as vicars of God on Earth. That is why even women can become preachers of this faith. Also, Lutheran clergy can marry (even monks, which is not the case in other religions at all).
2. Of the sacraments of Catholicism, the Lutherans had only Baptism, Communion and Confession.
3. The Bible is the main book of the believer. There is truth in it.
4. Lutherans believe in (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
5. Believers of this movement know that the fate of each person is predetermined from birth, but it can be improved by good deeds and strong faith. It should be noted that it is this provision that promotes the desire for personal enrichment of believers, and there is nothing wrong with that. In addition, strong faith contributes to the atonement of sins, and not the works of believers, as happens in Catholicism.

As you can see, the difference between these two branches of religions is quite large. Despite the fact that Lutheranism (Protestantism) came out of Catholicism, but in the end, over time, certain dogmas appeared, as well as various directions in itself. The differences were minor.

You should also be aware that Lutherans and Protestants (the difference between which is quite subtle) are not the same thing. Protestantism is a more global trend, it includes everything that broke away from Catholicism in its time. Then came various subspecies of beliefs, and Lutheranism is one of them.

Thus, a Lutheran is a believer who fully trusts in God. He does not think about himself, does not think about what he has done, he lives in Christ and thinks only of him. This is the fundamental essence of this religion, unlike others, where it is customary to work on oneself and improve one's qualities.

Spread of this religion in the world

Now consider how common in the world. It first appeared in Germany, in the homeland of Martin Luther. In a short time, religion spread throughout the country, and then throughout Europe. In some countries, the Lutheran faith became the main one, and in some it was in the minority. Consider the countries in which this belief is most widespread.

So, the most numerous are, of course, the German Lutherans, and there are also quite large denominations in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the USA, Estonia and Latvia. The total number of believing Protestants is about eighty million. There is also a World Lutheran Federation, which, however, does not unite all churches, some retain autonomy.

Training of clergymen and their difference

It should also be noted that the Lutheran pastor is an ordinary person who was publicly approved at the annual meeting of the Synod. Thus, it turns out that a person is appointed to a position, and not ordination to the dignity, as is customary among Catholics and Orthodox. Lutherans are confident in the priesthood of all believers, and the stronger the faith, the better. Here they refer to one of the gospel truths. Also, as mentioned above, the Lutheran Church does not prohibit women from becoming preachers, as well as marrying.

Subtypes of Lutheranism

So a Lutheran is a believer who lives deep in Christ. He knows about his sacrifice and is sure that it was not done in vain. And this is the only thing that is present in all subspecies of Lutheranism, some of which will be listed below (and in general there are several more):

1. Gnesiolutherans.
2. Confessional Lutheranism.
3. Lutheran Orthodoxy.
4. Evangelical Lutheran Church, etc.

Conclusion

So, now you know the answer to the question: “Is a Lutheran…?” It is also quite clear the essence of this direction of religion, as well as its emergence and modern distribution in the world. Despite the fact that there are subspecies of Lutheranism, the main idea is preserved in them, the rest of the differences exist only in some details. It is they who allow these directions to be preserved.

A. A. Pastor,
President of the General Synod of the ELC

Information about the fundamentals of the doctrine
Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Evangelical Lutheran Church belongs to the Western branch of Christianity. Its religion and structures were formed in the 16th century. (after 1520) as a result of the Reformation, which proclaimed the need to renew the Christian life on the basis of St. Scripture and especially the Gospel, which is the foundation for all Christian Churches. The name reflects the principle of following the ideas of the Reformation, laid down by Martin Luther. The Lutheran faith became widespread both in Europe and in other parts of the world. Currently, the Lutheran Church is the state Church in Sweden (92% of the population), Norway (93% of the population), Denmark (95% of the population). Lutheranism is professed by the absolute majority of believers in Finland (90.6%), Estonia, and Latvia (80%). In Germany, Lutheranism is professed by approximately 50% of believing Christians, especially in the northern lands. In the United States, among other denominations, Lutheranism ranks third in terms of the number of parishioners. There are about 75 million Lutherans in the world.
The first Lutheran communities appeared in Russia already in the 16th century. The first oldest church was built in Moscow in 1576, the second - in Nizhny Novgorod in 1593. During the XVI-XVII centuries. the number of parishioners steadily increased. The sharp growth of Lutherans in Russia occurred as a result of the accession to the Empire of the Baltic territories under Peter I, as well as the invitation of Catherine II of settlers-colonists to South Russia and the Volga region. Since then, the Evangelical Lutheran Church has been an integral part of the life of Russia - persons of the Lutheran faith have held responsible government positions (up to the position of State Chancellor). The first Charter of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Russian Empire was adopted in 1832 and approved by Emperor Nicholas I. The reorganization of church structures after the October Revolution ended with the adoption in 1924 of a new Charter, on the basis of which the current Charter was created.
The basis of the doctrine (as well as for the Orthodox, Catholic and other Christian denominations) is the Holy Scripture of the Old and New Testaments - the only source and firm, unmistakable norm of Church Teaching and activity, as well as the Nicene and Apostolic Creeds. Practical worship is recorded in the "Book of Concord", which includes the unaltered Augsburg Confession of 1530, the Short and Large Catechisms of Dr. Luther, the Schmalkaldic Articles and other symbolic books.
The basis of the structure of the ELC is the community. The leadership of the community is carried out by the Community Council. The spiritual leadership of the community is carried out by a preacher or pastor. The communities of a large region form a Regional Church (eparchy). The highest legislative body of the Regional Church is the Synod of the Regional Church, which also determines the issues of spiritual leadership of the Regional Church. The Synod of the Regional Church has the right to create probate. Probstvos unite communities located within small regions. The Provost's highest governing body is the Probate Synod, which elects the Probate Council. The synod of probation has the right to create parishes that unite small neighboring communities. Decisions of general ecclesiastical significance of the Evangelical Lutheran Church are made by the regularly convened General Synod, which is the highest legislative body of the ELC and consists of representatives of all Regional Churches and Provosts. The General Synod elects the Presidium of the General Synod, headed by the President, as well as the Archbishop, who is responsible for the spiritual leadership of the Church. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Russia is formed by the Regional Church of European Russia and the Regional Church of the Urals, Siberia and the Far East. In addition, the Evangelical Lutheran Church includes the Regional Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, as well as the Evangelical Lutheran communities of Georgia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. The governing and executive bodies of the ELC, headed by the Archbishop, are located in St. Petersburg.
The training of preachers and pastors is provided by the Theological Seminary and special courses.
The basis of the spiritual life of the communities are regular services. Liturgical service includes prayers, reading of St. Scriptures, preaching and celebration of St. Sacraments. The practical life of communities, and of the entire Church as a whole, includes diaconal work, i.e. helping people in difficult circumstances.
Marriage and family in the ELC is a respected institution. “... the marriage life of believers is holy because it is sanctified by the Word of God... For Christ calls marriage the Divine Union...” (Apology of the Augsburg Confession, article 23) “... God honors and exalts this state (marriage life) , in view of the fact that by His commandment He sanctioned and protected it... Thus, He wants us to also honor this, support and fulfill it in life, as a divine and blessed state. Because, in the first place, He instituted this before all else, and thus created man and woman as separate persons, not for a life of debauchery, but that they might legally live together, be fruitful, have children, raise and train them. to the glory of God" (Large Catechism). Divorces are allowed, but not approved.
The ELC considers medicine and its services as a gift from God and does not know any restrictions in the use of medical institutions.
Members and ministers of the ELC are aware of themselves as citizens of their country and respect its laws. “In relation to secular affairs, our churches teach that legitimate state decrees are the good deeds of God, and that Christians can rightfully perform public service, be judges, serve as soldiers, enter into lawful transactions, own property ... They also condemn those who associates gospel perfection not with the fear of God and not with faith, but with the renunciation of worldly affairs...” (Augsburg Confession, article 16) “... it should also be said about obedience to secular authority... because God gives and preserve us through them, as through our parents, food, home, and yard, protection and security. Therefore ... we must also honor them and place them high ... Whoever is obedient in this, zealous and helpful and willingly does everything that relates to showing honor, he knows that he pleases God ... ”(Large Catechism, interpretation 4th commandment) The history of Russia shows that the Lutherans have always been a reliable support of the state.

WHAT DO LUTHERANS BELIEVE?

LUTHERAN SERVICE

THE ORIGIN OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH TODAY