Waldensians

The Waldensians are a Christian sect believing in poverty and austerity, founded around 1173, promoting true poverty, public preaching and the literal interpretation of the scriptures. Declared heretical, the movement was brutally persecuted by the Roman Catholic church during the 12th and 13th centuries and nearly totally destroyed, but the Waldensian Church survives to this day.

Related Topics:
Christian - 1173 - Preaching - Heretical - Roman Catholic - 12th - 13th - Waldensian Church

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There are two prevailing theories about the identity and origin of the Waldensians. Their own claim is that their history extends back to the apostolic church while the mainstream academic view is that the Waldensians were followers of Peter Waldo (or Valdes or Vaudes).

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