The Protestant Church and the Belarusian National Movement in the Early 20th Century Aleh Latyshonak, Stanislau Akinchyts and others In many countries Church played an important positive role in forming civic society. This is also true for Belarus although the Russian Orthodox Church is often criticized for being used an instrument of Russification. But the country has other congregations that did not only worship but also influenced public mentality. Aleh Latyshonak, Stanislau Akinchyts and other researchers have worked on the subject. Their joint research work is entitled The Protestant Church and the Belarusian National Movement in the Early 20th Century. The book sponsored by the World Association of the Belarusians "Batskaushchyna" features articles and recollections concerning history of nationalist movements in the early 20th century. The Protestant Church was the foundation that Belarusian intellectuals, artists and scholars intended to use for establishing a Belarusian national church and creating a sense of national identity. Many prominent members of Hramada devoted their life to the cause in the Nasha Niva period. They worked closely with the Protestant community. The idea of a Belarusian church vanished after the fall of Hramada.