Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland ( schott Gael. Eaglais na h- Alba, Scots: Kirk o Scotland, dt: Church of Scotland ) is the national church in Scotland. In general, informal use of language it is called "the Kirk ". It's not like the Church of England, the established state church, but has a special position in the hierarchy of Scotland. She is a Presbyterian ( Reformed ) Church, not Anglican. Yourself organized by the parishes of the Church circles ( presbyteries ) to the General Assembly (General Assembly). This will take place once a year in May, usually in Edinburgh. The General Assembly Hall was also the transitional seat of the Scottish Parliament. In 2004, Alison Elliot was the first woman and second layperson to the General Assembly as a moderator; she represents the church until the next general outward.

The Church of Scotland was built as a church of the Reformation by the reformatory zeal of John Knox, who brought the Reformation of Geneva of John Calvin in his home. The Reformation spread from Edinburgh and St Andrews from all over Scotland.

Since 1688/1690, the Glorious Revolution, the office of bishop in the Church of Scotland is finally abolished, as before that time, as was the case (1638-1661); the church is now sorted definitely presbyterian. This led to a split from the Anglican- Episcopal Scottish Episcopal Church, a sister church of the Church of England was established.

The Church of Scotland was the state church in Scotland. Only in 1926 this status was abolished and the " national church " converted. General Meetings therefore is still the queen or the king, usually by a representative ( Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland), present but " technically " not in the hall. The Church of Scotland is the only institution of Great Britain, on which Parliament has no sovereign legislative power.

Motto, flag, coat of arms and logo

The flag, the coat of arms and logo symbolize the motto of the Church of Scotland " nec tamen consumebatur " (engl.: " and he was not consumed "). It refers to the burning bush in the vocation story of Moses. This bush was, although he was on fire, not burned, and God called Moses to lead out the people of Israel from Egypt. This burning bush is shown ( Saltire ) in front of the St. Andrew's Cross of the Scottish flag.