To convene, to embitter, to conciliate | 400 year Synod of Dordrecht

The 400th anniversary of the Synod in Dordrecht was the occasion for a unique collaboration. Together with the Vereniging Oud-Dordrecht, the Friends organised a special meeting in the Grote Kerk. Professor of Early Modern Dutch History, Judith Pollmann, gave a lecture in a well-stocked Grote Kerk about the meaning of the Synod.

Synod of Dordrecht

The Synod of Dordrecht was convened to resolve a church dispute that had divided the Dutch between 1610-1618 and had brought the country to the brink of civil war. Neighbours were opposed to each other, conspiracy theories flourished, and demonisation and hate speech were also common in the press. Pollmann discussed, among other things, how a theological conflict had risen so high, what the impact of the Synod had been on 17^th century society.
Alisa van Dijk (violin) and Henske Bakker (flute) provided the musical backdrop for the programme.

In the press

The Reformatorisch Dagblad paid attention to this meeting. The article was entitled “Prof.dr. Judith Pollmann: Reformed Church in Republic stayed on the government’s lap”. This title referred to the fact that the church, among other things, was financially dependent on the state and remained so after the Synod.