October 20th | 10 a.m. | "fides cantat" with the choir of the Dresden University of Church Music

In the series "fides cantat - faith sings", the choir of the Dresden University of Church Music will be performing at the service on October 20th at 10 a.m. in the Wittenberg Castle Church. The focus of the service is the Luther chorale "Now rejoice, dear Christians," which will also be the subject of a song sermon. The choir will sing works by Johann Walter, Anton Bruckner and Hugo Distler. Students from the university will not only be singing the service vocally, but also on the organ. The director is the university's rector Stephan Lennig, and the liturgist and preacher is Pastor Stefan Günther.

The series "fides cantat" is taking place on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the hymnal and will be celebrated with 10 renowned choirs in the churches of Torgau and Wittenberg. "fides cantat" is supported by the Evangelical Wittenberg Foundation.

* May 16, 1944 in Wittenberge; † September 9, 2024 in Berlin

They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into sickles. Micah 4

The Evangelical Preachers' Seminary in Wittenberg mourns the loss of its former colleague and long-time director of studies, Friedrich Schorlemmer. From 1978 to 1992, Friedrich Schorlemmer was director of studies and thus teacher for many aspiring pastors at the Wittenberg Preachers' Seminary. He influenced many with his basic attitude of doing "theology for others" and thus never remaining confined to church issues. For him, the issues of society were always also issues of theology, faith and the church. His sermons in the Castle and City Church in Wittenberg bore eloquent witness to this. Based on a deeply rooted faith, he became involved in the city's society and far beyond through the preachers' seminary, in discussion groups, environmental groups and also in politics.

October 20th | 5 p.m.

A MIGHTY CASTLE IS OUR GOD - Concert with songs and chorales to listen to and sing along to

After more than 20 years of church music at the Castle Church and the Preachers' Seminary, the cantor couple Sarah and Thomas Herzer invite you to a special concert with several choirs, ensembles and instrumentalists. They want to let the fruits of their many years of work ring out once again and thus say goodbye together to the cultural life of the city of Wittenberg. Numerous companions from the last 20 years are taking part. First of all, the choirs of the Castle Church: the Gospel Choir and the Schola Cantorum Adam Rener. Singers and instrumentalists from the Wittenberg Court Orchestra are also taking part. The organist Steven Hofmann from Wyoming, who has performed concerts in the Castle Church many times, has traveled the furthest of all. Also performing are Wolfgang Praetorius on cello, Klaus Vogelsang on trumpet, Wolfgang Wollschläger on piano and Frank Koine as singer.

The castle church can be visited at the following times: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday or public holidays from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The tower opens at the same time as the castle church, last ascent possible until 4 p.m. [Info from September 30th, 2024]