History

Zinzendorf’s Chronology

In this series

May 26, 1700 born in Dresden to Count George Ludwig and Baroness Charlotte.

1703–1710 reared at Gross-Hennersdorf estate of grandmother, Baroness Von Gersdorf.

1710 enrolled at Halle in the Paedagogium of Pietist August Francke.

1715 pledged his life’s devotion to Christ and originated “The Order of the Grain of Mustard Seed.”

August 25, 1716 arrived at Wittenberg to begin university studies.

1719–1720 “grand tour” of Germany, Holland, France, Switzerland. In a Dusseldorf museum he made a vow to Christ.

October 1721 began service as lawyer in the court of Elector August the Strong

April 1722 purchased the Berthelsdorf estate from grandmother.

September 7, 1722 wed Countess Erdmuth Dorothea von Reuss at Ebersdorf

August 7, 1724 first child, Christian Ernest, born, but lived only three months. Of their twelve children, three survived their parents.

May 1727 signing of “Brotherly Agreement” at Herrnhut.

August 13, 1727 “birthday” of Renewed Moravian Church at Herrnhut.

1731 in Copenhagen for King Christian Vl coronation met a converted slave Anthony Ulrich, from West Indies.

August 21, 1732 commenced Leonard Dober and David Nitschmann to God as first Moravian missionaries. On this date they departed Herrnhut.

December 19, 1734 formally ordained a Lutheran minister by Tubingen faculty.

1736 banished from Saxony; “Pilgrim Congregation” settled in Wetteravia.

May 20, 1737 ordained a bishop of the Moravian Church in Berlin.

1738 hosted John Wesley visiting Herrnhut; visited West Indies.

December 1741 with countess, daughter Benigna, Anna Nitschmann, began 14-month stay in America.

1747 decree of banishment lifted; temporarily visited Herrnhut.

1749–1755 made London focal point of worldwide Moravian activities.

June 19, 1756 Countess Zinzendorf died at Herrnhut. June 27, 1757 wedded Anna Nitschmann; abdicated his position in Empire in favor of his nephew.

May 9 1760 died at Herrnhut.

Copyright © 1982 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History magazine. Click here for reprint information on Christian History.

Also in this series

Our Latest

News

Washington Attack Suspect Sought to Justify Himself to Christians

In writings, Cole Tomas Allen thanked his church and argued that his attempt to assassinate Trump administration officials was compatible with his faith.

Being Human

Shame, Sexual Abuse, and Gaslighting with Christine Caine & Yana Jenay Conner

Can forgiveness meet reality when we navigate family trauma with truth?

The Revival That Wasn’t—and the One That May Be

Josh Packard and Raymond Chang

Young people remain deeply wary of large institutions, but they are undeniably interested in faith.

The Russell Moore Show

How Do I Teach My Children the Christian Faith?

Russell answers a listener question about how we can pass our Christian faith heritage to our children without making it weird.

You Don’t Graduate from Discernment

Paul Gutacker

As you seek your vocation with diploma in hand, the way of the Cross must still shape your days.

News

Australia’s Teen Social Media Ban Isn’t Perfect. But It’s Helping Analog Families.

Amy Lewis in Geelong, Australia

Teens have workarounds to get on the apps, but parents have it easier delaying children’s introduction to social networks.

The Bulletin

Attitudes Toward Israel, Kash Patel’s Lawsuit, and John Mark Comer’s Fame

Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

Americans’ growing frustrations with Israel, Kash Patel sues The Atlantic for $250 million, and the popularity of John Mark Comer.

News

How a Kidnapping Changed a Theologian’s Mind

Interview by Emmanuel Nwachukwu

An interview with Sunday Bobai Agang about the lessons he learned from his abduction last month.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube