History of German Christians in Russia
As told by Rev. Joseph Kessler and translated by Rev. Horst Gutsche. Published by Husky Publishing, East Grand Forks, MN, 2019, 242 pages
This book, originally titled, “History of the Diocese of Tyraol,” was composed in German by Joseph Aloysius Kessler. It was later translated into English by Rev. Horst Gutsche. Kessler was the Titular Archbishop of the Bosphorus, previously Bishop of Tyraspol. In 1930, the book was published in German by the Publishing House of Rev. George Aberle, Dickinson, ND.
Theresa Mack Wald writes, “The book is a remarkable account of the Catholic German life and events in the Soviet Union in areas of Russia, now known as Ukraine. It deserves to be published to retain its availability for all Germans from Russia and their descendants. This information in this book tells of both the trials and tribulations, as well as the many joys found only in our Catholic faith.”
Kessler covers the clergy martyrs of the diocese, persecution of Christianity and the church, the great famine among the colonists, huge problems in regard to pastoral care and immigration to America.
The book includes the history of the Diocese of Tyraspol. There a listing of the directory of the bishops of the diocese of Tyraspol. A list of the deaneries of Katharienstadt (Marx), Mariental, Kamenka, Seelmann, Berdyansk, Simpferopol, Odessa and Pyatigorsk. There is a listing of the priests who graduated from the Tyraspol Seminary.
