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.
According to tradition, on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in Latin on this door, inviting scholars to debate them. The purpose of this debate was to clarify whether the Church's practice of selling indulgences was in accordance with the teachings of Jesus. This marked the beginning of the Reformation. The original wooden "Thesis Door" was destroyed in the great fire that ravaged the church in 1760. In 1858, King Frederick William IV of Prussia donated the current bronze door, on the panels of which the Latin text of the theses is cast.