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