The Ukrainian Evangelical Reformed Church (UERC) – in Ukrainian Українська реформатська євангельська церква – is a Protestant Reformed Ukraine, formed from the work of missionaries from the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated).[4][1][5]
History
The Reformed Faith arrived in Ukraine since the 16th century, having spread throughout the territory that would form the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.[1][6][7] The region with the highest concentration of retired people until World War I was Transcarpathia, which formerly belonged to Austria-Hungary. Canadian Presbyterian missions served the expansion of the Reformed Faith in the country during the early 20th century. However, after the formation of the Soviet Union, religious freedom was severely restricted in the Ukrainian territory.[8]
Beginning in 1989, missionary Fylymon Semenyuk began missionary work in Rivne and Stepan, with support from Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated).[2] Subsequently, the denomination spread throughout the country, reaching Kyiv, Khmelnitsky, Svalyava and Tavrian. In 2010, it was formed by 8 churches.[3]
Seminar
In 2001 the UERC and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine, another Reformed denomination in the country, formed the and Union of Evangelical Reformed Churches of Ukraine (UERCU),[1] recognized by the government in October 2001. Although the previous denominations continue to exist independently, this union holds joint meetings annually. In the same year of its foundation, the UERCU started the Reformed Evangelical Seminary. Since then, the seminary has served to train pastors of both denominations.[5][7][3]
Doctrine
As a denomination Continental Reformed, the UERC subscribes to the Three Forms of Unity (Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort and Belgic Confession) as expositions faithful to biblical doctrines.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Ukraine Religious Information Service. "Calvinism in Ukraine". Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "History of the Ukrainian Reformed Evangelical Church" (PDF). Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ a b c Melanie Benedict (November 13, 2010). "Evangelical Reformed Seminary in Ukraine celebrates 10 years". Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ "Protestant Reformation in Ukraine". Ukrainian Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Esther Grace Long (2005). "New West-Oriented Evangelicals in Ukraine: The Evangelical Presbyterian Church". East-West Church and Ministry Report. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ Clayton Quarterman. "History of the Reformed Faith in Ukraine". Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Clay Quarterman. "A Brief History of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine". Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ "History of the Reformed Faith in Ukraine". Retrieved December 13, 2021.