The Year of Reformation
A general Overview of the 500th Anniversaryof the Reformation celebration in Ukraine in 2016/17
Thus says the LORD: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16
Ukrainian ship sailedMykhaylo Hrushevsky The most acknowledged Ukrainian historian
under the full wind of Reformation
and then it lowered the sails
when the wind of Reformation ceased
and the first President of Ukraine in 1918
Anniversary
celebration
in the Palace of Sports
The phenomenon of the Reformation
In 2017, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the beginning of a tremendous spiritual movement, which has changed the course of history forever – the Reformation. German philosopher G.W.F. Hegel called the Reformation "a sense of the history of modern times."
The social phenomena, born by the Reformation, is one of the greatest achievements in the history of mankind. Ukrainians also strive towards this phenomena. Western civilization in many ways derives its sources from the spiritual ideals of the Reformation.
The Reformation is the return of individuals, the Church, and society to biblical standards. It is a return to the person of Jesus Christ – the Son of God, the everlasting Word that became flesh. This is the essence, meaning, and power of the Reformation.
In 2017, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the beginning of a tremendous spiritual movement, which has changed the course of history forever – the Reformation. German philosopher G.W.F. Hegel called the Reformation "a sense of the history of modern times."
The social phenomena, born by the Reformation, is one of the greatest achievements in the history of mankind. Ukrainians also strive towards this phenomena. Western civilization in many ways derives its sources from the spiritual ideals of the Reformation.
The Reformation is the return of individuals, the Church, and society to biblical standards. It is a return to the person of Jesus Christ – the Son of God, the everlasting Word that became flesh. This is the essence, meaning, and power of the Reformation.
GOALS
OF THE PROGRAM “REFORMATION 500”
of the term
'the Reformation'
- The universality of the term ‘the Reformation’ and the classical theological paradigm, the non-attachment of the message to a particular denominational tradition or historical era of the Reformation (16th and the first half of the 17th century). The Reformation is rather perceived as God's eternal idea: Ecclesia semper reformanda secundum Verbum Dei (Latin for „The church must always be reformed”). The idea is to bring every person, church, and society back to the biblical standard.
- Christ-centeredness. Although the rhetoric of the message was not religious and maintained a popular academic style, it remained Christocentric and Bibliocentric. Everything is based around ‘Solus Christus’ and ‘Sola Scriptura’. Such a basic phenomenon of Western culture, as the "value of individual", has its source in the love of God, who did not spare his Son for every person, regardless of their social status. In this interpretation, the message was evangelistic.
- Relevance to the current conditions and needs of Ukraine. Our country is experiencing a turning point in its history. In 2014, for the first time since 1654, it has turned away from Russia and the Soviet communist heritage and intensified its integration processes with European civilization. However, in the second decade of the XXI century, it becomes unclear what these European values are and what Western civilization is built on. Celebrating the Reformation, we see it as the spiritual and ideological source that has shaped the West over the last five centuries, as the main reason for its success. It is the seed of the Reformation that has born the fruits that Ukrainians aspire to today: civil society, effective democracy, economic prosperity, the rule of law, freedom, and the value of the individual.
beech. More at the link
One brand
A unique element of the program is a unified and professional brand book for printed materials, media resources, as well as all events and projects implemented by Christians throughout the program. This fact has helped to identify evangelical Christians, their beliefs and values as something one and whole.
R500 portfolio
Structure
One of the successes was the development of one national and many regional organizing committees
consisting of representatives of various evangelical denominations. Committees also had internal
structures. The structure of R500 included 7 departments:
- Scientific and historical
department - Creative department
- Resource department
- Media department
- Youth department
- Social department
- Legal department
Decree of the president of Ukraine.
About the celebration of the 500th
anniversary of Reformation in Ukraine
In recognition of the outstanding contributions of the Protestant churches and religious organizations into the development of religious, cultural and social spheres of Ukraine, the expression of respect for their role in Ukrainian history and formation of the independent state, and also the celebration in Ukraine the 500th anniversary of Reformation, I decree:
-
1. To the Cabinet of Ministers:
-
a. develop together with representatives of Protestant religious organizations of Ukraine and in three months approve the plan of events on preparation and celebration of the 500th anniversary of Reformation in Ukraine, providing, inter alia:
- i. holding the ceremony to mark the 500th anniversary of Reformation in Kyiv in October 2017;
- ii. conducting thematic conferences, symposia, round tables, seminars and other scientific and educational activities to mark the 500th anniversary of Reformation, develop appropriate guidelines for the enforcement of these events;
- iii. implementing the training and edition of scientific and popular scientific works dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Reformation, and the collection of works of the Reformation leaders;
- iv. conducting special events highlighting the history of Reformation in educational institutions;
- v. preservation and popularization of prominent local landmarks of the spiritual culture;
- vi. creating museum exhibitions devoted to the 500th anniversary of Reformation;
- vii. conducting Christian festivals of spiritual music and singing;
- viii. minting and putting into circulation (in the established order) the coins dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Reformation;
- ix. releasing of a postage stamp and envelope dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Reformation;
- x. production and placement of PSAs to mark the 500th anniversary of Reformation;
- xi. creating and showing documentaries and feature films on the history of the Reformation.
- b. decide in due course the issue of funding for the preparation and celebration the 500th anniversary of Reformation in Ukraine.
-
a. develop together with representatives of Protestant religious organizations of Ukraine and in three months approve the plan of events on preparation and celebration of the 500th anniversary of Reformation in Ukraine, providing, inter alia:
- 2. Kyiv City State Administration assists the Protestant religious organizations in conducting the events on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Reformation in Kyiv in September 2017.
- 3. State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine in due course provides information about the activities on preparation and celebration of the 500th anniversary of Reformation in the state mass media, creates and broadcasts a series of thematic television and radio programs, demonstrates relevant documentaries and feature films.
- 4. The State Security Service Ukraine together with the State Archival Service of Ukraine assist religious and social organizations, academic institutions and organizations, and provide access to the archival documents related to the persecuting members of religious organizations.
-
5. To Regional and Kyiv city state administration:
- a. develop together with regional organizing committees established by Protestant religious organizations and approve the regional action plans to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Reformation, and ensure their implementation;
- b. hold public celebrations of the 500th anniversary of Reformation involving the representatives of public authorities, local governments and religious organizations;
- c. assist in the implementation of the initiatives by religious organizations aimed at conduction of educational, cultural, sports and other activities.
- 6. This decree takes effect from the date of its publication.
Petro Poroshenko
President of Ukraine
August 26, 2016
Decree of the president of Ukraine.
About the celebration of the 500th
anniversary of Reformation in Ukraine
In recognition of the outstanding contributions of the Protestant churches and religious organizations into the development of religious, cultural and social spheres of Ukraine, the expression of respect for their role in Ukrainian history and formation of the independent state, and also the celebration in Ukraine the 500th anniversary of Reformation, I decree...
Projects
& events
OF THE YEAR OF REFORMATION
Hundreds of motivational conferences and thousands of Sunday sermons were held for believers on Christian missions in society, as an example of the impact of Protestant Reformation.
Hundreds of articles were posted on Christian and non-Christian media resources in Ukraine
City improvement events were hosted in almost all regions of Ukraine.
publishing
Hundreds of motivational conferences and thousands of Sunday sermons were held for believers on Christian missions in society, as an example of the impact of Protestant Reformation.
Hundreds of articles were posted on Christian and non-Christian media resources in Ukraine
City improvement events were hosted in almost all regions of Ukraine.
Hundreds of motivational conferences and thousands of Sunday sermons were held for believers on Christian missions in society, as an example of the impact of Protestant Reformation.
Hundreds of articles were posted on Christian and non-Christian media resources in Ukraine
City improvement events were hosted in almost all regions of Ukraine.
Key personalities
IN THE PROGRAM “REFORMATION 500”Politicians
Due to the participation of important Ukrainian Protestant politicians, the program received huge state support, which in Ukrainian circumstances proved to be extremely crucial. Also, politicians managed to act as a neutral para-denominational factor, which served to unite the various Protestant churches and denominations.
Ukrainian politician, public figure, and Member of Parliament of Ukraine of VI and VIII convocations. Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine (2014). Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Reformation Anniversary Celebration. The success of the Year of Reformation was largely due to his energy and leadership skills.
Is a Ukrainian politician and statesman. Secretary of the National
Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (2014—2019). Member of Parliament of Ukraine. Doctor of Economics, Professor, Member of the Union of Writers of Ukraine (since 2007). From February 22 to November 27, 2014 – Chairman of the Parliament of Ukraine. In the most tragic and turning point of the recent historyof Ukraine, February 23 to June 7, 2014 – Acting President of Ukraine.
Heads of denominations
Without the personal engagement and activity of the leaders of key Protestant denominations, the success, and scale of the Year of Reformation wouldn’t be possible. 34 Protestant denominations declared their participation in the anniversary celebration. It is worth to mention here two key individuals who, through their authority and great energy, have contributed to the success of the Reformation program:
The President of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church.
The Head of the Evangelical Baptist Union of Ukraine, the largest Protestant denomination of Ukraine.
The Brotherhood of Adventists has made a great contribution, especially through the provision of its powerful media resources.
Regional
activists
Although the Reformation was celebrated in virtually all regions of Ukraine, some areas were more active than others. All of this has to do with the activity of certain prominent regional leaders, as well as the creation of cross-denominational effective teams.
The most active areas were:
Active leaders of the
R-500 program
Eastern European
Reformation
Ministry
The Eastern European Reformation Ministry (EER Ministry) took an active part in the Year of Reformation Program. Our detailed report по посиланню нижче. In general terms, the ministry's activities were as follows:
Detailed report
Experience of Belarus in 2003
A team of Christians from the EER Ministry initiated the celebration of 450 years of the Reformation in Belarus (1553-2003). Several dozens of different projects were carried out, such as academic, educational, publishing and of an evangelistic nature. The Belarusian Reformation Anniversary brought together all top-level evangelical denominations and spread information about the Reformation in Belarus, as an important part of the national heritage. The project has received strong support from the Belarusian secular intelligentsia. The Ukrainian version, although it was of a much larger scale, widely used the Belarusian experience.
Experience of Belarus in 2003
A team of Christians from the EER Ministry initiated the celebration of 450 years of the Reformation in Belarus (1553-2003). Several dozens of different projects were carried out, such as academic, educational, publishing and of an evangelistic nature. The Belarusian Reformation Anniversary brought together all top-level evangelical denominations and spread information about the Reformation in Belarus, as an important part of the national heritage. The project has received strong support from the Belarusian secular intelligentsia. The Ukrainian version, although it was of a much larger scale, widely used the Belarusian experience.
Experience of Belarus in 2003
A team of Christians from the EER Ministry initiated the celebration of 450 years of the Reformation in Belarus (1553-2003). Several dozens of different projects were carried out, such as academic, educational, publishing and of an evangelistic nature. The Belarusian Reformation Anniversary brought together all top-level evangelical denominations and spread information about the Reformation in Belarus, as an important part of the national heritage. The project has received strong support from the Belarusian secular intelligentsia. The Ukrainian version, although it was of a much larger scale, widely used the Belarusian experience.
Experience of Belarus in 2003
A team of Christians from the EER Ministry initiated the celebration of 450 years of the Reformation in Belarus (1553-2003). Several dozens of different projects were carried out, such as academic, educational, publishing and of an evangelistic nature. The Belarusian Reformation Anniversary brought together all top-level evangelical denominations and spread information about the Reformation in Belarus, as an important part of the national heritage. The project has received strong support from the Belarusian secular intelligentsia. The Ukrainian version, although it was of a much larger scale, widely used the Belarusian experience.
Experience of Belarus in 2003
A team of Christians from the EER Ministry initiated the celebration of 450 years of the Reformation in Belarus (1553-2003). Several dozens of different projects were carried out, such as academic, educational, publishing and of an evangelistic nature. The Belarusian Reformation Anniversary brought together all top-level evangelical denominations and spread information about the Reformation in Belarus, as an important part of the national heritage. The project has received strong support from the Belarusian secular intelligentsia. The Ukrainian version, although it was of a much larger scale, widely used the Belarusian experience.
Hundreds of different Christian organizations and churches
Naming them here would be extremely difficult, so we will not attempt to mention all of them. Nevertheless we know that without all of their contribution, it would be impossible to imagine the scale and variety of projects that took place.
10 results
The Reformation Movement
In early 2018, following the completion of the Year of Reformation program, the Organising Committee proposed the creation of the Reformation Movement that would preserve R500 structures and continue its work in certain areas.
The Reformation movement was headed by Pavlo Ungurian, Member of the Parlament of Ukraine. The goals and structure of the Reformation Movement were announced at the Forum on February 23, 2018.
Structure of the Reformation Movement:
- 1Reformation of the
Christian leadership - 2Reformation of the
younger generation - 3Reformation of politics
and governance - 4Reformation of science
and education - 5Reformation of economy
and business
- 6Reformation of the
Christian leadership - 7Reformation of the
younger generation - 8Reformation of politics
and governance - 9Reformation of science
and education - 10Reformation of economy
and business
The idea of the Reformation Academy is a natural progression
of work in the Reformation of Christian leadership Department
conducted by the Eastern European Reformation Ministry.
Our relationship with
the Reformation Movement
The Eastern European Reformation Ministry became one of the key participants in the Reformation Movement. Jaroslaw Lukasik became the head of the first department of the RM – namely the Reformation of the Christian leadership Department, which aims at:
- - formation of holistic biblical worldview and raising the level of knowledge in the sphere of public life of evangelical Christians of Ukraine;
- - training Christian leaders in the matters of holistic worldview, professionalism and character that have a special calling to spread biblical values in various spheres of public life, such as media, education, social work, politics, administration, etc;
- - assisting pastors and church ministers in pastoral work with intellectuals and socially active people.
Projects
& events
OF THE YEAR OF REFORMATION
Events
Hundreds of motivational conferences and thousands of Sunday sermons were held for believers on Christian missions in society, as an example of the impact of Protestant Reformation.
Hundreds of articles were posted on Christian and non-Christian media resources in Ukraine
City improvement events were hosted in almost all regions of Ukraine.
Today, the most crucial area to invest in is the education and spiritual and intellectual formation of leaders capable of implementing Christian reformation in the social sphere. Contact us