Baratov Mennonite Settlement (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine)

The Baratov Mennonite settlement, district of Verknedneprovsk, province of Ekaterinoslav (now (Dnipropetrovsk), was established in 1871 by 74 Mennonite families of the Chortitza Mennonite settlement. They established the villages Neu-(Novo) Chortitza and Gnadental on 9,800 acres of land. In 1905 the total population of the Neu-Chortitza Mennonite Church, which included all Mennonites in both the settlements of Baratov and Schlachtin, was 2,569.

During the confusion following World War I the 50th anniversary of its founding was observed. The progress of the first 50 years was gratifying. But the war and the ensuing revolution destroyed much, and the prospects for the future were gloomy, because the victorious Communists were intent upon the forcible execution of their regime. For the progressive Mennonite farmers the new order was a backward step.

The school system of the Baratov settlement was on a relatively high plane. Two well-trained teachers were employed in each village; they were adequately supported by the parents of the pupils. Attendance was satisfactory. In Gnadental there was for a time also a secondary school (Fortbildungsschule) with a special teacher; the school was intended for boys who wished to prepare for higher schools. These who continued their education further attended the Zentralschule in Chortitza. Particular attention was given religious instruction, and some Mennonite history was taught. The term lasted eight or nine months, and the course eight or nine years. At the conclusion of the course of study the pupils were examined in the subjects they had studied in the Russian language as well as in German and in religion. Those who passed were given two certificates; the one for German and religion was issued by the community leaders and the teacher. For the improvement of instruction, the teachers of the Mennonite villages met in conference about once a month in one of the schools.

Since Communism aimed to exterminate religion and since the Mennonite farmers were opposed to compulsory collectivization, a large part of the Baratov settlement immigrated to Canada in 1923 where they found a good home.

Those who remained underwent much suffering. Many, especially the more prosperous farmers, perished in exile, and church life was violently prevented. In 1929 thousands of Mennonites took flight to emigrate via Moscow; among whom were Baratov settlers. No definite figures are available concerning those that came to Paraguay and Canada.

Bibliography

Hege, Christian and Christian Neff. Mennonitisches Lexikon, 4 vols. Frankfurt & Weierhof: Hege; Karlsruhe: Schneider, 1913-1967: v. I, 124.

Author(s)	P. A Rempel
Date Published	1953

Cite This Article

MLA style

Rempel, P. A. "Baratov Mennonite Settlement (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 1953. Web. 22 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Baratov_Mennonite_Settlement_(Dnipropetrovsk_Oblast,_Ukraine)&oldid=179576.

APA style

Rempel, P. A. (1953). Baratov Mennonite Settlement (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 22 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Baratov_Mennonite_Settlement_(Dnipropetrovsk_Oblast,_Ukraine)&oldid=179576.

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Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, pp. 231-232. All rights reserved.

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