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Every Monday at 6:30 p.m. until July 3, 2023, the Castle Church Community, the Evang. Academy of Saxony-Anhalt and the preacher seminar together for regular prayers for peace in the Castle Church.
Concerns and fears, resentment and protest against government decisions continue to be voiced in different ways and loudly in Wittenberg. "Prayers in the churches are for peace for our society, for the trouble spots and wars in this world. The almost year-long war in Ukraine, the unrest in Brazil and Iran preoccupies us and often leaves us feeling powerless. Christians don't have quick answers and solutions, but the opportunity to turn to someone who can heal this world," says Wolfgang Nebel from the castle parish. Texts and thoughts on discord and peace are considered in the light of the Bible. Music, songs and psalms are sung and prayed.
The focus of the approx. 30 minute prayer is a time of silence in which candles are lit and in prayer the suffering and hardship in Ukraine and the world, the lack of understanding and powerlessness in the face of war and violence can be brought before God.
In 1996, the castle church was placed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO as an almost completely preserved example of monument preservation in the 19th century. Between 2012 and 2016 it was renovated and restored with funds from the state of Saxony-Anhalt, the Federal Republic of Germany, the European Union and private donors.
Martin Luther's grave
When Luther died in Eisleben in 1546, Elector Johann Friedrich of Saxony (r. 1532-1547) ordered that the body be transported to Wittenberg and buried there in the castle church. The grave is about 2 m deep in the ground close to the pulpit. Since 1892 the site has been marked by a tumbe-like sandstone block.
Castle church parish
The castle church parish was founded in 1949. For a long time there had been a desire to give this church its own congregation in addition to the preachers' seminary, thereby strengthening the religious life.
History
Around 1340, the Ascanian dukes had an "All Saints' Chapel" built at their castle and founded a collegiate monastery in it for liturgical service. Elector Friedrich the Wise had the palace with the chapel demolished and his new residential palace with a more spacious palace church built on the site. You can find out more about the story here.
Church for children
Every Sunday there is a children's service in the Wittenberg Castle Church, parallel to the adult service. Ms. Felicia Grauel is one of the volunteers for the children's service.