Founded in Geneva in 1920 the Chiesa del Regno di Dio stands before you. Its story begins with Frédéric Louis Alexandre Freytag. He led the Swiss section of the International Bible Students Association. After the death of Charles Taze Russell the association dissolved. Freytag however continued. He drew inspiration from Russell’s writings. He emphasized harmonizing scripture and encouraging believers to change their character.
The Chiesa del Regno di Dio’s influence spread to Italy in 1946. Sebastiano Chiardola spearheaded this expansion. Turin became its main center always maintaining ties to the Swiss headquarters in Cartigny. Today the church boasts about 6000 members worldwide. Roughly 1000 are active in Italy.
The Italian state recognized the Associazione Filantropica Chiesa del Regno di Dio in 1988. It officially adopted its current dual name in 1996. The church’s symbol depicts a scene from the Gospel of John. Jesus is giving sight to a blind man. This symbolizes Jesus as the light of the world.
The Chiesa del Regno di Dio’s beliefs are rooted in the Apostles’ Creed. They believe in the Holy Spirit as God’s active force. They see Jesus’ death as a sacrifice to restore humanity. They believe in a restored earth in the Messianic millennium. Unlike some Christian denominations the Chiesa del Regno di Dio does not believe in hell. They do not accept the traditional doctrines of the immortality of the soul or the Trinity.
The church promotes Christian principles like pacifism and love for nature. However they don’t actively seek converts. They believe that with the coming of God’s kingdom all humanity will conform to the universal law. This will create one great divine family.
The Chiesa del Regno di Dio has a structured organization. Each local congregation is led by an elder. Weekly meetings feature prayer Bible study and discussions. They publish a monthly magazine Il Monitore del Regno della Giustizia and a weekly newspaper Il Giornale per Tutti. They also distribute various publications. These publications often focus on the writings of Freytag. He is considered the faithful and prudent servant. He is described in Matthew 24:45.
The Chiesa del Regno di Dio celebrates several important events annually. These include a Passover commemoration. They celebrate the Army of the Eternal and the Little Flock festivals. They also hold a national assembly. Baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus is for those seeking divine immortality. Their beliefs and practices make the Chiesa del Regno di Dio unique. It is a vital part of Turin’s religious landscape. It offers a different perspective on Christian faith.