Waldensesestablished

The Waldenses were a Christian movement that emerged in the late 12th century in the region of Lyon, France. The movement's founder, Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant, experienced a spiritual awakening and decided to renounce his possessions and live a life of poverty and evangelical preaching. He commissioned translations of the Bible into vernacular languages, believing that ordinary people should have direct access to scripture.

Waldensian beliefs emphasized the authority of the Bible, a rejection of the riches and perceived corruption of the Catholic Church, and the importance of preaching in the common tongue. They practiced a form of communal living and shared their possessions, mirroring the early Christian apostles. Their emphasis on lay preaching and the vernacular Bible was a significant departure from the established church hierarchy and Latin liturgy.

The Catholic Church viewed the Waldenses as heretical, and they faced persecution from the outset. Despite facing condemnation and attempts at suppression by various authorities, including the Inquisition, the Waldenses managed to survive and spread. They maintained a clandestine existence for centuries, often migrating to remote mountainous regions where they could practice their faith more freely. Their persistence and resilience in the face of sustained opposition are key aspects of their history.