three-part webinar series via Zoom (see the registration form below)
by Paul Peucker, Moravian Archives
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (EST)
on October 31, November 7, and November 14,  2023

registration fee: $49.50 for the three-part series (incl. reading materials)
reading materials will be mailed to you after registration (we cannot guarantee registrations after October 22, 2023 will receive physical reading materials by the first session)

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The Moravian Book of Ceremonies was published in 1757 and contains an overview of the history, organization, and liturgy of the Moravian Church. The book was published in German and French and included a series of sixteen magnificent engravings.
In this three-week webinar Moravian archivist Paul Peucker will discuss the history and content of the Book of Ceremonies: who was the author of the book? how did Moravians present their history? what do we learn about Moravian organization and worship, and most importantly, what do we learn from the sixteen engravings.

After registration you will receive a printed copy of the Book of Ceremonies (also known as Kurze, zuverlässige Nachricht in the German language).

Dr. Paul Peucker is archivist of the Moravian Church in America, Northern Province, and author of Herrnhut: The Formation of a Moravian Community, 1722-1732 (University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2022).

October 31, 2023, Part I: The Book and Its Content
In the first session, we will look at David Cranz, the author of the text. In addition to the Book of Ceremonies, Cranz wrote several other books on the Moravians. Who was David Cranz and why did Zinzendorf choose him to write this official history of the Moravian Church?

November 7, Part II: The Author
In the second session, we will talk about the content of the book. The Book of Ceremonies is the first official self-representation of the Moravian Church. What kind of image did Moravians present of themselves in 1757? What was the intention of the book? And how does the Book of Ceremonies fit in within Moravian history of the 1700s?

November 14, Part III: The Engravings
The final session will focus on the sixteen engravings that are included in the Book of Ceremonies. We will analyze the images and look at the details. We will also look at recently uncovered drawings that were intended for the Book of Ceremonies but were never included.

Registration Form