But one year after count zinzendorfs wife died, he asked anna. But for zinzendorf, anna nitschmann was both a priestess and a prophetess, and having witnessed her at work in america, in 1740 she also became the mother of the church, early on, the leaders of the moravian church recognized anna s abilities as a potential leader in the nascent mission field of north america. Zinzendorf remained a widower for one year, and then 27 june 1757 contracted a second marriage with anna caritas nitschmann 24 november 1715 21 may 1760, with whom he had been very close for many years. Nineyearold anna nitschmann dreamily awakened to the sound of low, but.
Nicholas ludwig, count zinzendorf, was born in dresden in 1700. The story of anna nitschmann, moravian shepherdess of souls. Anna had for years been spiritual leader of the women of the movement. She served as the chief eldress of the renewed moravian church for most of her life, from the age of 14. June 19, 1756 countess zinzendorf died at herrnhut.
Anna twice refused offers of marriage, but one year after count zinzendorf s wife died, he asked anna to marry him and she agreed. He was a faithful witness of the lord, a shepherd of the sheep, zealous for the oneness of the body of christ, one who knew the lord subjectively, and a true slave of the lord who was persecuted as was his master. Anton hoped in particular that they could share the gospel message with his enslaved sister anna. The anna nitschmann house on campus is named in her honor. Count zinzendorf, perhaps the most instantly recognizable leader of the. Anna, then fortyone, had long since proven her total christian commitment. The 12th in a series of christmas keepsake editions centers this year on anna nitschmann 17151760, founder of the moravian single sisters choir. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled.
Zinzendorf had bee n a widower fo r a ye ar a nd th ought it was time to rem arr y. This unusual union between an imper ial count and a woma n of humble or igin took place 250 ye ars ago this month. When count zinzendorf heard the news of your death, he wrote. The crinkles have been left in this picture to show the actual condition of the painting. Count zinzendorf the village church in berthelsdorf. Handmaiden of the lamb the story of anna nitschmann, moravian. Anna caritas nitschmann was a moravian brethren missionary, lyrical poet, and the second wife of nicolaus ludwig zinzendorf jump to. I was delighted with the book and wished to follow in st. Anna signed up for the pilgrim congregation to spread christianity to new settlements around the globe. This saint died at age 88, leaving among his writings the first systematic discussion of moravian theology, childrens books and a biography of zinzendorf. Called to a count anna twice refused offers for marriage. Her cousin, david nitschmann the first bishop, 1735, of the renewed brethrens unity while on a visit to kunewald in the beginning of 1725, persuaded her father to remove to herrnhut, where the family arrived on feb. With all due respect, anna nitschmann has little claim to notability outside her husbands endeavours. This painting is in the archives at bethlehem, pennsylvania.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Zinzendorf and anna nitschmann on ju ne 27, 175 7, count zinzendorf and anna n itschmann mar ried in ber thelsdorf near her rnhut. The story of anna nitschmann, moravian shepherdess of souls kindle edition by mike atnip. This article should be merged with that of nicolaus ludwig zinzendorf. He was very much a part of the pietist movement in germany, which emphasized personal piety and an emotional component to the religious life. In my volume of moravian womens memoirs, anna nitschmanns name. She was a commoner and he was noble, but within the herrnhut community, all were equals. After the death of zinzendorf s first wife, she was married to the count, but both of them died only a couple of years later. December 1741 with countess, daughter benigna, anna nitschmann, began 14month stay in america. Anna nitschmann historical records and family trees related to anna nitschmann. Anna nitschmann 17151760 when she spoke or prayed or sang, all hearts stood open to her. One modern author i read claimed that zinzendorfs premarital relationship with anna nitschmann was an open secret in the community. The story of anna nitschmann 27 anna nitschmann, age unknown, but probably in her late teens or twenties.
The marriage was not publicized broadly since anna was a commoner, and would have been extremely controversial. Count zinzendorf, the leader of this new moravian movement, strongly advised anna to refuse the appointment. Records may include photos, original documents, family history, relatives, specific dates, locations and. Their moral standards and community bylaws would be called cultish today. Zinzendorf was the son of a saxon minister of state of austrian noble descent. Now he has assumed an administrative position in the saxon government in dresden. Anna nitschmann in the world on translation, spatial thinking, data. From 18th century american women blog retrieved nov 2015. Anna nitschmann 17151760 german edition christine brengelmann on.
He allowed women to preach, to hold office, and to be ordained. Anna nitschmann, a leader of the moravian church in her own right. He advocated a nonrational approach to christianity that he called religion of. Zinzendorf baptizes the little girl, while anna nitschmann is presenting the child for. Mission explosion by the time of anna nitschmann s and count zinzendorf s death in 1760, the moravians had sent out. That author is the only one in the whole world who seemed to know anything about it. After erdmuth died in 1756, a year later zinzendorf married anna nitschmann 17151760, a leading sister in the work among the sisters. Nitschmann, anna, daughter of david nitschmann, cartwright, at kunewald, near fulnek, moravia, was born at kunewald, nov. Her duties as chief eldress were to serve as a spiritual mentor and.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading handmaiden of the lamb. Remember that this is the same count who urged the young anna to refuse church leadership. On 27 june 1757 count zinzendorf married anna caritas nitschmann 24 november 171521 may 1760, with whom he had been very close for many years. On 27 june 1757 zinzendorf married anna caritas nitschmann 24 november 1715 21 may 1760, with whom he had been very close for many years. Zinzendorfs chronology christian history christianity. At that time lutheran was the only legally recognized form of worship.
This portrait shows the young count zinzendorf in saxon court dress, a blue coat with silver breastplate. She traveled the world and was a part of the mission that founded bethlehem and nazareth. Shortly before his death, zinzendorf returned home to herrnhut. Comprising a succinct history of the church of the united brethren from its renewal at herrnhut to the death of its illustrious. Gemein nachrichten death of count zinzendorf death. Dissertation 2017, kassel university press gmbh, kassel 2019, isbn 9783737606226 print, isbn 9783737606233 ebook. Anna nitschmann in america on translation, spatial. Life in herrnhut count, as lord of the nianor, first issued his injunctions and prohibitions, he was not aware that, in so doing, lie was calling back to life once more the discipline of the old bohemian brethren. Anna nitschmann led committed women 17011800 church. Yet some modern interpreters want to sexualize them. Nicolaus zinzendorf project gutenberg selfpublishing. Anna nitschmann historical records and family trees. The village church in berthelsdorf every lords day both zinzendorf and his family, along with the settlers, went to the parish lutheran church at berthelsdorf. Studienarbeit aus dem jahr 2009 im fachbereich theologie historische theologie, kirchengeschichte, note.