Abstract

Attempts to build unity in spite of theological differences were taken inside Polish Protestantism from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century, all this time some ecumenical threads repeatedly return: mutual recognition of offices and the sacraments and their ability to adopt their partners for dialogue, exchange preaching, churches sharing, joint councils, the appointment of national church, joint training of clergy, co-operation in publishing and charity. Article presents the oldest ecumenical act in Europe - Sandomierz Consensus (1570) which enabled mutual recognition of three streams of the Reformation in Poland: the Calvinists, Czech Brethren and Lutherans. The article cited a Polish precursor of irenicism, superintendent of Unity of Little Poland, Bartholomew Bythner (1559-1629) and his book Fraterna et modesta ad omnes per universam Europam reformatas ecclesias [...] exhortatio, in which he called for the convening of the General Council. Article follows the history of the Joint Lutheran-Reformed Consistory (in XIX century) and the commitment of both Churches in the 1920 Plebiscite. It shows examples of successful joint projects in publishing and charitable activities. The text refers also to another document cooperation both between the Reformed and Evangelical Lutherans and recently with the Methodists. Many of joint initiatives was not solely dictated by the wish to implement the ecumenical theories, but were practical solutions that day-to-day life brought. This allows us look forward the future with hope look from the perspective of the 500-years-lasting efforts for the unity that still is the task of the Churches in the context of the upcoming celebrations of 500th anniversary of the Reformation.