HIKING from the Waldensian Valleys to Germany walking or cycling following via France and Switzerland the escape route of Huguenots and Waldensians during worse times ! Blog : In the steps of the Huguenots and the Waldensians – a European hiking trail … 300 km from Saluzzo to Gineva in 10 days while the whole cultural itinerary sponsored by the Council of Europe is 2500 km long ! Check Fondazione Centro Culturale Valdese and its blogs for advice ! Church groups of young and not so young , students of Collegio valdese , individuals have tried different ways and always with enthusiastic reports !
A New History of the Waldensians
In order to mark the 850 years since the start of the Waldensian Movement , ‘ our ’ Claudiana has published a new colossal history in 4 volumes , each of them with one editor who has assembled 20 + experts ( national and international ) for each subject . An interesting and intriguing read .
Vol . I , Editor Francesca Tasca , 25 authors , As New Apostles : twelfth – fifteenth century , from when Valdo from Lyon decided to give up his riches and follow and spread the Gospel , despite being excommunicated , to the gathering of followers – men and women – to the building up of the Movement and the clandestine preaching amid persecution and its surviving through the Middle Ages . 687 pp .
Vol . II , Editor Susanna Peyronel Rambaldi , 29 authors , Becoming Reformed : ( 1532 – 1689 ), from Provence and the Waldensian Valleys to Calabria , via Chanforan , Olivetan , Gianavel . Resistance , Arms and Faith . New organisation of parishes and churches ; inquisitors converting people and kidnapping children . Escape in Switzerland and Germany . The Glorious Return ( to the Valleys ). 864 pp .
Vol . III , Editor Gian Paolo Romagnani , 22 authors ( including our Biagini and Maghenzani !), From Glorious Return to Emancipation ( 1689 – 1870 ) ( and the conquest of Rome I would add !): reconstructing the community , papist infiltration , Geneva influence in training ministers , the Enlightenment in the Valleys , Free Masonry , traders and businessmen , relationship of the Waldensians with Holland and England , Napoleon , Christian Revival , British Travellers , Gilly and Beckwith , expansion of Literacy , Waldensian Bibles . 844 pp .
Vol . IV , Editor Paolo Naso , 35 authors , Evangelization and presence in Italy : ( 1870 – 1990 ), from ‘ Alpine ghetto ’ to National Church in newly born Italy . The opening of schools , diaconal activities , the birth of the Faculty of Theology and of the publishing company Claudiana . The small Church , strictly connected to sister Churches in Europe and other parts of the world , becomes a champion of liberal and progressive values . The difficult 20 + years of Fascism established – among many other things – the infamous ‘ Lateran Pacts ’ that made the Roman Catholic Church State Church , a legacy still lingering . Post-war
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