Voldemar Ilja

Voldemar Ilja (13 November 1922 – 16 December 2010) was an Estonian Lutheran clergyman, theologian and church historian. He served congregations in Petseri, Võnnu and Nõmme, taught church history at the Institute of Theology of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, and was best known for his six-volume history of the Moravian Church in Estonia and Livonia.

Life and career

Ilja was born in Tsiistre in Misso Parish (present-day Rõuge Parish), the youngest child in a family of eight.

He began theological studies at the Institute of Theology of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (EELK) in Tallinn in 1955, was ordained on 5 September 1956, and completed his studies in 1962.

Scholarship

Ilja's main field of research was the history of the Moravian movement in Estonia and Livonia. His work has also been cited in later international scholarship on religion and society in the Baltic provinces.

Honours

Ilja received the Order of the White Star, 3rd Class, in 2001. He was made a titulary provost in 2006, received the EELK Cross of Merit, II Class, in 2007, and was awarded the EELK lifetime achievement prize in 2010.

Selected works

Vennastekoguduse (hernhuutluse) ajalugu Eestimaal (Põhja-Eesti) 1730–1743 (1995) Vennastekoguduse (hernhuutluse) ajalugu Eestimaal (Põhja-Eesti). II, 1744–1764 (2000) Vennastekoguduse (hernhuutluse) ajalugu Liivimaal (Lõuna-Eesti) 1729–1750. III (2002) Vennastekoguduse (hernhuutluse) ajalugu Liivimaal (Lõuna-Eesti) 1750–1765. IV (2005) Vennastekoguduse (hernhuutluse) ajalugu Liivimaal (Lõuna-Eesti) 1766–1817. V (2006) Vennastekoguduse (hernhuutluse) ajalugu Eestimaal (Põhja-Eesti): palvemajad. VI (2010)