'Mutterfest' Tagged Posts

One of the most unique and innovative traditions Moravians have is the celebration of the Holy Spirit as Mother of the Church, called “Mutterfest.” In the mid-18th century, Moravians in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania composed hymns and liturgies praising God the Holy Spirit as “Mother” at a time when the church also ordained hundreds of women for ministry. But later generations were scandalized by these “radical” practices and attempted to cover them up. Fortunately, historians like Dr. Craig Atwood have helped to…