Brüdergemeine

Brüdergemeine, literally "Brethren Congregation," is the German name for the Moravian Church, a Protestant denomination with roots in the Bohemian Brethren (Unitas Fratrum) and a distinct reformulation by Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf at Herrnhut, Saxony, in 1722. The term is commonly used in German-speaking contexts to denote this historic and global Christian fellowship.

History and origins: The Moravian Church traces its spiritual lineage to the 15th-century Bohemian Brethren. Reorganized under Zinzendorf at Herrnhut, it developed a strong emphasis on personal faith, communal piety, and intensive missionary activity. The movement fostered new forms of hymnody, worship, and ecumenical outreach that helped shape Protestant revival in Europe and beyond.

Beliefs and practices: Moravians stress daily devotion, Scripture-centered faith, and living out Christianity in community. They practice baptism and the Lord’s Supper as central ordinances and combine liturgical elements with a simple, participatory worship style. Congregations are typically organized locally, within a wider Unity of the Brethren that coordinates missions and mutual support across national churches.

Organization and presence: Today the Brüdergemeine operates as a global communion with national churches and local congregations in many regions of the world. The movement is known for its missionary heritage, education efforts, and distinctive musical and liturgical traditions, including the historic Moravian Star as one of its symbols.

Overview: The term Brüdergemeine most often identifies the Moravian Church within German-speaking contexts, highlighting its historical roots, unity structure, and ongoing emphasis on faith, service, and global mission.