Bicentennial of Molochna founding commemorated

Several events in Ukraine during the first week of June marked the 200th anniversary of the founding of Molochna. This second, and largest, settlement of Mennonites in southern Russia, which later became part of the Soviet Union and is now the independent state of Ukraine, was established in 1804.

The Settler’s Monument, commemorating the founding of Molochna in 1804. Photo: Walter Unger

The first settlement, named Chortitza, was founded approximately 15 years earlier. Both settlements, as well as others in various parts of Russia, became very prosperous in the next 100 years and have often been referred to as the Mennonite Commonwealth in Russia.

In the 1870s, the first groups of Mennonites left Russia because of economic and religious restrictions. Then, because of the Bolshevik Revolution, famine and oppression by the Soviet regime, another large group of Mennonites left for North and South America in the 1920s. Still others remained until World War II, when many fled to the West and others were deported to remote regions of the Soviet Union in the east and north. The stories of hardship and suffering have been told and retold and are still deeply etched in the memories of many Mennonites.

In recent years, many Mennonites from the west have been returning to the sites of the former settlements. Scholars have begun researching and filming in various archives, and others have returned as tourists. MCC and other Mennonite agencies have been assisting people in the area in various ways.

Harvey Dyck, professor at the University of Toronto, is one scholar who has given a great deal of energy and time to recover lost stories of the past. The June commemoration can be attributed largely to his work and inspiration, although he was not able to be present because of illness.

The events began with an academic conference held in Zaporozhye. Thirty-seven papers were presented, most by Ukrainian and Russian scholars and some by European and North American scholars. It was evident that there is much new interest and appreciation for what the Mennonites contributed to the area during their time of settlement.

Several monuments were also unveiled. The Lichtenau (Svetlodolinskoe) former railroad station was the site of one impressive event. It was at this station that many Mennonites gathered in the 1920s to board a train to exit the Soviet Union and make their way to new homes in Canada and other places. Many said their final farewells here to friends and relatives. Others were later deported from this station to the eastern Gulag. Two stone benches with inscriptions in Ukrainian and German were unveiled in front of the station as a band played and a group of Mennonites formed a choir to sing “Take Thou my Hand, O Father” and other old favourites.

On Sunday, a morning service packed the former high school in Molochansk (formerly Halbstadt). Johannes Dyck, formerly of Kazakhstan, currently of Germany, preached a sermon in Russian and German. Visitors from Paraguay, Germany, Canada and the USA were in attendance, but most in the audience were local Ukrainians. A crowd of about 1000 then gathered outside to unveil a monument, called the Settler’s Monument, marking the 200th anniversary of the settlement. It was an opportunity to reflect on the past and to share the faith of the Mennonites with the Ukrainian community now residing there.

A packed worship service in the former high school of Halbstadt (now called Molochansk) Photo: Walter Unger

Other unveilings included a monument at the site of the former Mennonite cemetery in Bogdanovka (formerly Gnadenfeld) and the opening of a photographic exhibit at the museum in Melitopol, a city near Molochna. Paul Toews of Fresno, Cal. coordinated the collection of 139 historical Molochna photographs from North American archives and individuals. This exhibit will also go on display in Zaporozhye Museum in fall.

Mennonites are now very active in spiritual and other ministries in the community. Several churches are functioning, a Mennonite Centre is operating to assist people in a variety of ways, a medical clinic was held with the assistance of doctors from Canada, and medical facilities and supplies have been donated. The local people continue to live in poverty but show great appreciation for the Mennonites and are open to working with them.

—Abe Dueck, MB Historical Commission