About Us
The Christian Community - Movement for Religious Renewal was founded in 1922 in Dornach, Switzerland with the help of Rudolf Steiner, founder of Anthroposophy, initiator of Waldorf Education, Biodynamic agriculture, and Anthroposophical medicine.
The Christian Community - Movement for Religious Renewal was founded in 1922 in Dornach, Switzerland with the help of Rudolf Steiner, founder of Anthroposophy, initiator of Waldorf Education, Biodynamic agriculture, and Anthroposophical medicine.
The Christian Community - Movement for Religious Renewal - emerged on the canvas of history from the disaster and terror of the First World War. Just like millions of human beings around the world at that time, future priests and members shared the trauma of violence, death, hunger, poverty, and illness. They were also acutely aware of the devastating effects of the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 - known as the Spanish Flu - which in the course of just one year caused more death worldwide than the war itself. And it is out of this confrontation with death, illness, and despair - from confronting the threshold of our capacities - that the impulse aroused in the hearts of a few religious men and women which led to the founding of the Christian Community in Dornach in September 1922.
The Christian Community - Movement for Religious Renewal - emerged on the canvas of history from the disaster and terror of the First World War. Just like millions of human beings around the world at that time, future priests and members shared the trauma of violence, death, hunger, poverty, and illness. They were also acutely aware of the devastating effects of the Influenza Pandemic of 1918 - known as the Spanish Flu - which in the course of just one year caused more death worldwide than the war itself. And it is out of this confrontation with death, illness, and despair - from confronting the threshold of our capacities - that the impulse aroused in the hearts of a few religious men and women which led to the founding of the Christian Community in Dornach in September 1922.
But the question which led these people to Rudolf Steiner and anthroposophy and in effect enabled the restoration of the original Christian form of worship, the Sacraments, was not at all of theoretical or theological nature. It was the simple human question: "What can we do to contribute to goodness and healing? What can we do to help our fellow human beings and the world to rise from the ashes of despair and destruction? How can we be truly human in these inhumane times, when all outer authorities, be it political, religious, or cultural have failed to provide forms in which our humanity can be supported and thrive?"
But the question which led these people to Rudolf Steiner and anthroposophy and in effect enabled the restoration of the original Christian form of worship, the Sacraments, was not at all of theoretical or theological nature. It was the simple human question: "What can we do to contribute to goodness and healing? What can we do to help our fellow human beings and the world to rise from the ashes of despair and destruction? How can we be truly human in these inhumane times, when all outer authorities, be it political, religious, or cultural have failed to provide forms in which our humanity can be supported and thrive?"
This deeply Christian moral consciousness of a small group of people, their sense of responsibility for others and the world - their will to serve - essentially opened the way for the Etheric Christ to enter the world through the healing power of the Renewed Sacraments.
This deeply Christian moral consciousness of a small group of people, their sense of responsibility for others and the world - their will to serve - essentially opened the way for the Etheric Christ to enter the world through the healing power of the Renewed Sacraments.
And it is this initial impulse with which the Christian Community entered the stream of history that is the true signature of our religious work and mission in the modern world. Yes, the Christian Community is a truly apocalyptic impulse of renewal - rooted in the spiritual world and given to humanity as the torch of hope, as the vehicle of Christ's presence in the world. A church of crisis: born out of the crisis - for the times of crisis.
And it is this initial impulse with which the Christian Community entered the stream of history that is the true signature of our religious work and mission in the modern world. Yes, the Christian Community is a truly apocalyptic impulse of renewal - rooted in the spiritual world and given to humanity as the torch of hope, as the vehicle of Christ's presence in the world. A church of crisis: born out of the crisis - for the times of crisis.
This is why our task in the world, even as a "church among other churches" will always be different from all other religious-spiritual-cultural communities active in our times and culture.
This is why our task in the world, even as a "church among other churches" will always be different from all other religious-spiritual-cultural communities active in our times and culture.
It is our consciousness of Christ's omnipresence in the historical world events, in the events of our biographies, and in the sacraments - as the leading principle of history and evolution - as the "Lord of Karma" - which is the basic platform upon we meet, form, and cultivate our community life ("Lo, I am with you always even until the end of time" Mt 28:20). This is a gift of destiny that each of us can only be grateful for in deep humility and quiet joy of the soul. And it is this existential awareness of Christ's presence in the world "in us and through us" that we can offer our fellow human beings - especially in times of despair and crisis.
It is our consciousness of Christ's omnipresence in the historical world events, in the events of our biographies, and in the sacraments - as the leading principle of history and evolution - as the "Lord of Karma" - which is the basic platform upon we meet, form, and cultivate our community life ("Lo, I am with you always even until the end of time" Mt 28:20). This is a gift of destiny that each of us can only be grateful for in deep humility and quiet joy of the soul. And it is this existential awareness of Christ's presence in the world "in us and through us" that we can offer our fellow human beings - especially in times of despair and crisis.