Freedom in faith: Festive liturgy for Reformation Day in Erlangen!

Freedom in faith: Festive liturgy for Reformation Day in Erlangen!

On October 31, 2025 it will be that time again: Reformation Day will be celebrated, a central day in the Protestant church year. On this special evening, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., a liturgy dedicated entirely to freedom of faith will take place. The event is led by Dean Bernhard Petry and includes a moving sermon by church councilor Melitta Müller-Hansen. The liturgy is supported by the readings by Julia Haack and the musical direction by church music director Wieland Hofmann, who will create a truly prepared program on the organ. In addition, the wind ensemble under Michael Rausch will provide the musical accompaniment, while the Erlanger Bachchor ensemble will take part in vocal performances.

Reformation Day has its roots in the events of October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. This act is considered to be the trigger for the Protestant Reformation and is seen by many as the beginning of a new era in Christianity. Historians suspect that Luther chose this day to draw public attention to his concerns. It is easy to understand that such pithy statements about freedom of belief and criticism of the sale of indulgences shook the religious world with immediate resonance.

Freedom and faith today

The aim of the liturgy is to explore the Reformation idea of ​​freedom and the meaning of Luther's contract “A Christian is a free lord over all things and subject to no one” in today's life and faith. This message remains timeless and is still very important today. Reformation Day is much more than just a historical date; For many believers it is an opportunity to reflect on their own beliefs and the principles that shaped the Reformation movement. For example, in many German federal states, Reformation Day is also celebrated as a public holiday, making it a special day for the Protestant community. Internationally, this day is also celebrated in countries such as Chile and Peru, which embody the influences of Protestantism.

Particular attention is also paid to the fact that Reformation Day has now been officially recognized as a public holiday in Germany - a development that is seen by many as an important step in ecumenical cooperation between the various Christian denominations. In 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation was even celebrated with joint events between Lutherans and Catholics, which shows a clear change in perception among the denominations.

A day for the community

In most Protestant churches, Reformation Day is viewed not only as a reminder of historical events, but also as an opportunity to rethink and apply the principles of the Reformation. Topics such as justification by faith and the authority of Scripture are addressed in the services and celebrations. Martin Luther's hymn “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” is another meaningful legacy that is still sung today and shapes the faith of Protestants.

In the midst of a fast-moving world, Reformation Day proves to be an important memorial site for the religious community, which is anchored not only in German but also in international church culture.