The Exulant Society (Spolek Exulant) is a Christian ecumenical community founded in 1995, which brings together descendants of Czech protestant exiles, and all citizens who are interested in the painful Czech protestant history.
It considers it its primary task to preserve the memories of the courage and heroism of thousands of ordinary people who expressed their defiance against violence and lack of freedom.
In cooperation with other entities, the Exulant Society organizes international meetings and conferences of descendants of post-White Mountain exiles. It maintains contacts with descendants of Czech exiles living in various places abroad, and organizes trips to places where exiles lived or still live.
In addition to the above-mentioned projects, its goals are also archival, historical and publishing activities associated with the post-White Mountain protestant emigration, life in exile and return to the original homeland.
The Society cooperates closely with the Protestant Church of Czech Brethren, Baptist churches in the Czech Republic, the Reformed Church in Zelów, and other protestant Churches and associations.
Not only descendants of exiles can become members of the Exulant Society, but anyone who would like to see our nation returning to spiritual values, and above all, to the living faith in Jesus Christ, as professed by Czech exiles.
We are convinced that the most important heritage and legacy of these brave people is their faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who laid down his life for sinners. The Society wants to support this faith, bear witness to it, and live in obedience to the gospel of Christ.
The Battle of White Mountain sealed the fate of protestant Christians in the Kingdom of Bohemia. The consistently implemented counter-reformation drove tens of thousands of Czech protestants into exile. They decided to leave their homes and homeland for their protestant beliefs and go abroad (Saxony, Lusatia, Prussia, Silesia, Poland and Hungary).
The history of Czech protestant exile is a testimony of the power of the Gospel of Christ over fear and suffering. The post-White Mountain exiles didn’t leave for economic or political reasons. Taught by reformer Jan Hus and the Fathers of Reformation to honour God's truth, they were prepared to fight for the freedom of human conscience.
Three hundred years after the defeat at White Mountain, the prophecy of the greatest of the exiles, J. A. Comenius, was fulfilled: "I also believe in God that after the storms of wrath have passed, brought upon our heads by our sins, the government of your affairs will return to you again, oh Czech people." After 1920, descendants of Czech evangelicals, who had maintained their religious and national identity abroad for centuries, began to return to the newly established Czechoslovak Republic.
After World War II, the return of exiles from the territory of present-day Poland and western Ukraine was completed (according to international agreements).
Return was not possible from the southern part of Ukraine even after World War II. Therefore, the villages of Bohemka and Veselynivka are still predominantly Czech. Descendants of Czech exiles also live in Berezivka,
Pervomajsk, Vozněsensk and elsewhere.
From these and other places, there is a gradual return to the Czech homeland. Many descendants of Czech post-White Mountain exiles also live in the USA and Canada. They have been gradually assimilating, even though they are still aware of their Czech origin. Apart from the oldest generation, few speak Czech these days.
"Live, O nation consecrated to God, and do not die... Bless, O Lord, its chivalry endeavour, and be pleased with the work of its hands..." (J. A. Comenius)
Překlad: K A Straker, B Havlíčková, J Bistranin