Where are the waldenses today?
The Waldensians still exist today, primarily in the Piedmont region of Italy. In 2015, Pope Francis visited the Waldensian church in Turin, Italy. It was here that Waldensian Christians endured brutal persecution by the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages.
What did the waldenses do?
Waldenses, also spelled Valdenses, also called Waldensians, French Vaudois, Italian Valdesi, members of a Christian movement that originated in 12th-century France, the devotees of which sought to follow Christ in poverty and simplicity.
What Bible did the waldensians use?
A Confession of Faith, with Reformed doctrines, was formulated and the Waldensians decided to worship openly in French. The French Bible, translated by Pierre Robert Olivétan with the help of Calvin and published at Neuchâtel in 1535, was based in part on a New Testament in the Waldensian vernacular.
What language did the waldenses speak?
The Waldenses joined the Reformation movement in French-speaking Switzerland. As they became more aligned with Protestantism, they began using French, and French became the official language of the Waldensian church. Today, French remains their primary official language.
Are waldensians Sabbath keepers?
Since 1850 they considered the Waldensians to be among the Sabbath-keepers during the Middle Ages;38 since 1857 they connected them to the fulfilment of eschatological prophecies. In his History of the Sabbath and the First Day of the Week, John N. Andrews collected many sources on Waldensians as Sabbath-keepers.
How were Anabaptists different from other Protestants?
In what ways did Anabaptist sects differ from other Protestant sects? Anabaptists rejected the idea of infant baptism. Some wanted to speed up Judgment Day by violent means. Others wanted to abolish private property, while many preached religious tolerance and the separation of church and state.
Do Waldensians still exist today?
Eventually, most Waldensians became part of the churches of the Reformation, such as Presbyterian, Lutheran, or Reformed. But today there are still Waldensian churches in existence in Germany, Italy, Uruguay, Argentina, the United States, and elsewhere.
What happened to the Waldenses?
In the early 13th century a number of Waldenses returned to orthodoxy. By the end of the century persecution had virtually eliminated the sect in some areas, and for safety the survivors abandoned their distinctive dress. By the end of the 15th century they were confined mostly to the French and Italian valleys of the Cottian Alps.
What does Waldenses stand for?
Waldenses, also spelled Valdenses, also called Waldensians, French Vaudois, Italian Valdesi, members of a Christian movement that originated in 12th-century France, the devotees of which sought to follow Christ in poverty and simplicity. The movement is sometimes viewed as an early forerunner of the Reformation…
Where did the Waldensians settle in France?
After expulsion from the Roman Catholic Church, the Waldensians settled in the Alpine mountain regions of France and Italy, where they still exist today. The Waldensian movement was one of the first Christian efforts to translate the Bible into a local dialect and engage in public preaching of the gospel.