From Pine Forests to Oak Pews

At Easter 1536 Hans Amon and the elders who assisted him, summoned the people from Böhmisch Krumau, Brimsitz, Heroltitz, and wherever they were living up and down the country. They gathered the church in the pine forest between Nikolsburg and Pulgram and celebrated the blessed meal of remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ in great joy. The local magistrates came upon them there and ordered them to leave the grounds. So after the meeting they commended themselves to God’s care and returned to the places they had come from, joyfully praising God.- The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren, Vol. I

May the sacrifices of our forefathers always remind us, because of their courage and steadfastness, we now enjoy freedom of religion, and thus are able to celebrate Holy Days in peace. Hutterites observe Jesus’ death and resurrection over four days. For each there is a special scripture teaching: 

·         Good Friday – Luke 23

      ·         Easter Sunday, morning service – Exodus 12, afternoon service – 1 Corinthians 10
      ·         Easter Monday – 1 Corinthians 11
      ·         Easter Tuesday -  Matthew 28

Two stanzas of a song which has been sung by Hutterite for many years: ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded’ Ascribed to Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091 – 1153 and  translated into German by Paul Gerhardt in the 1600’s, ‘O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden’.

O sacred head now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,

 Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;

O sacred head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!

Yet though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.

 What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest Friend,

For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?

O make me Thine forever; and should I fainting be,

Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.