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Allianz Gemeinden (Alliance Churches), the popular name of two Mennonite congregations in [[Russia|Russia]], namely at [[Molotschnaer Evangelische Mennonitenbrüderschaft (Molotschna Mennonite Settlement, Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine)|Lichtfelde]] and [[Orloff Evangelical Mennonite Church (Orloff, Zagradovka Colony, South Russia)|Altonau]], whose official name was [[Evangelische Mennoniten-Gemeinden|<em>Evangelische Mennoniten-Gemeinden</em>]]. These congregations separated from the [[Kirchliche Mennoniten|Mennonite Church]] because of their position on [[Baptism|baptism]], [[Communion|communion]], and discipline. They practiced only immersion, but did not demand it of members coming from other groups; they refused to take communion with the unconverted, observing it only with believing members of Protestant groups; hence the name "Alliance Churches."

This group tried to serve as a bridge between the Mennonite and [[Mennonite Brethren Church|Mennonite Brethren]] groups in Russia. In the immigration to [[Canada|Canada]] after World War I, however, members of the Alliance Churches did not continue as a separate organization, but joined the Mennonite Brethren. The [[Ontario Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches|Mennonite Brethren Conference in Ontario]] has its roots in this group.

In [[Paraguay|Paraguay]], on the contrary, they continued as a separate group in the immigration of 1930 ff., and in [[Brazil|Brazil]] they joined the [[General Conference Mennonite Church (GCM)|General Conference Mennonite Church]]. The [[Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches|Evangelical Mennonite Brethren]] were in spirit and practice closely related to the Evangelische Mennoniten-Gemeinden.
= Bibliography =
Friesen, Peter M. <em>Die alt-Evangelische Mennonitische Brüderschaft in Rußland (1789-1910) im Rahmen der mennonitischen Gesamtgeschichte.</em> Halbstadt: Raduga Verlag, 1911: 722.

Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. ''Mennonitisches Lexikon'', 4 vols. Frankfurt &amp; Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe: Schneider, 1913-1967: v. I, 35.
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