Reformation
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European Union
European statement of confession turns 50
Lutherans and Reformed people in Europe lived separately for five centuries until March 16th, 1973. Then, some drafted a joint statement of confession: the Leuenberg Concord. The theological document is now 50 years old. ***What is the Leuenberg Concord?*** Lutherans and Reformed tried to reconcile differing views on, for example,…
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Northern Europe
Denmark works on new Bible translation
In 2036, Denmark must have a new Bible translation . In that year, it is the country’s 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The work begins now. “A new Bible translation must be for joy, faith, reflection, community – for us as a country and people,” says Peder Ø. Andreasen, chairman…
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Central Europe
Germans remember Reformation Day
Across Germany, where Protestantism started, people celebrate Reformation Day on Monday. “It is a day of freedom and confidence”. In the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation, the German town of Wittenberg, thousands are expected to celebrate Reformation Day with church services, devotions, concerts and a historic market. At the festive…
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Central Europe
Most Germans want Reformation Day to become an official holiday
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the town church in Wittenberg. Today, this day is celebrated as the so-called Reformation Day. Most Germans would like the last day of October to become an official national holiday. Even among Catholics, there is a…
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Christian Life
Education is key point of Protestantism
The Reformation did not start in the church but at school. After all, Martin Luther was a lecturer at a university. Since then, Christian education has always been a critical point of Protestantism. That says Dr Klaas van der Zwaag, chief editor of the Dutch magazine Protestants Nederland. He presents…
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Central Europe
Longest Bible on display in Luther's Eisenach
To commemorate the completion of Martin Luther’s translation of the New Testament, the German city of Eisenach will display the longest Bible in the world along a pilgrimage trail. With a length of 1517 metres, a reference to the year 1517, which is considered the birth of the Reformation, the…
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Southern Europe
Madrid recognises Reformation Day
Representatives of the Evangelical Council of Madrid and the Madrid regional government signed an agreement that recognises October 31st as Reformation Day in the Spanish capital. According to the Spanish news website ABC, the Minister of the Presidency, Enrique López, stated that “with the signing of this general protocol of…
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Central Europe
After 500 years, there was a Mass in John Calvin's church in Geneva
In Geneva’s Saint-Pierre Cathedral, where John Calvin preached the Reformation in the sixteenth century, a Roman Catholic Mass has been held for the first time in nearly five centuries. According to Swiss daily Le Temps, around 1500 people attended mass at the church on Saturday night. More people were interested,…
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Southern Europe
Seville names streets after persecuted Reformation women
New streets in Seville will honour women persecuted by the Inquisition during the Reformation era. The city council of the Spanish town Seville has approved the proposal. New streets in Seville will honour women persecuted by the Inquisition during the Reformation era. The city council of the Spanish town Seville…