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Events Calendar
Whit Monday | May 20 | 2 p.m. | Castle church
Introductory service by Pastor Anne Brisgen as pastor of the EKD at the castle church
Liturgy: Dr. Johannes Wischmeyer
sermon: Pastor Anne Brisgen
Organ: Cantor Sarah Herzer / Cantor Thomas Herzer
Between the spiral staircase in the north wall, which leads to the gallery, and the door where Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses, there are six more bronze plaques embedded in the wall with Latin inscriptions. They bear the names of three professors of theology, one of jurisprudence, and two of medicine, who taught at Wittenberg University in the 17th and 18th centuries and are buried in the church.
The Thesis Door
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.
Introduction to Philipp Spielmann
I look forward to exploring the beautiful surroundings of Wittenberg by bike, to beautiful church services, musical highlights, old and new songs, and to meeting you!
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.