Totensonntag

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Totensonntag
File:Totenfest at St. Luke's UCC.jpg
An Evangelical and Reformed church observing Totenfest by lighting votive candles in memory of the faithful departed
Also called Ewigkeitssonntag
Totenfest
Observed by Christians (Lutheran & Reformed)
Significance Remembrance of the Faithful Departed
Observances church services, praying for the dead, lighting votive candles, visiting cemeteries and graveyards[1]
Date Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 446: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Related to Allhallowtide (All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day); Blue Christmas; Thursday of the Dead; Reformation Day; Remembrance Sunday

Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead), also called Ewigkeitssonntag (Eternity Sunday) or Totenfest, is a German religious holiday observed mainly in Lutheran churches.

History

In 1816, King Frederick William III of Prussia made his cabinet pass a decree that stated all Lutheran churches in the areas under Prussian rule had to observe the last Sunday before Advent as a "general celebration in memorial of the deceased".[2] Other churches outside of Prussia followed, eventually, as well.

In the United States, some Protestant churches celebrate this service of remembrance as "Totenfest."[3] It often coincides with celebration of All Saints Day.

Special protection

Totensonntag is a protected holiday in all German states. The holiday laws of all federal states, with the exception of Hamburg, have special provisions, classifying Totensonntag either as a memorial day or a "silent day" which implies special restrictions.[4] Depending on the state, music may not be played in public venues or only at certain hours, and dancing is forbidden as well (German: Tanzverbot).

See also

References

  1. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. RGG, 3. Aufl.; Band VI Spalte 957
  3. "Totenfest." http://www.ucc.org/assets/pdfs/totenfest.pdf, accessed 2013-11-20
  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Further reading

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.