Life in Russia
Many Mennonites in Russia lived under a roof that covered
everything - stable, barn and the house itself. Houses were built mainly
in one style, the residental section had one large room, a small room,
and a kitchen. The kitchen was in the center of the house with a large
brick oven fueled by straw, dung or wood. No more then one door separated
the house from the stable. Houses built in Hague, Saskatchewan by the first
settlers were also built in this fashion. Whenever a storm would approach,,
day or night,, the whole family would gather fully dressed incase it was
neccessary to run quickly from the house.
At least one person from each house had to attend church.
Those who stayed behind were strictly forbidden to go outside as church
goers went to and from the church.
The oldest child was always held responsible for the
actions of the younger siblings. If for some reason a younger child did
something that deserved punishment,, the oldest child would recieve the
punishment for allowing them to do it in the first place. Children rarely
had idle hands, there was always something to be done.
Chortitza Oaktree
In Chorititza, Russia there is an old oak tree that is
said to be over 700 years old. It is under this tree the first Mennonite
immigrants from Prussia pitched their tents, then started to build and
settle on the land.
Source of reference :
Brednich, Rolf Wilh. The Bible and the Plough: The Lives of a Hutterite
Minister and a Mennonite Farmer (Ottawa, Ont.: National Museums of Canada)
1981