“Signal of reconciliation and a fresh start”

The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) today (31 October) opened the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation at a festive service at St Mary’s Church with the theme “God is our refuge and strength”. Over 1000 guests from cultural and church life, from politics and society, attended the ceremonial act that followed in the Berlin’s nearby Konzerthaus at Gendarmenmarkt. Reformation Day 2016 marks the launching of a whole year in which people in Germany, Europe and the world will remember the quincentenary of Martin Luther’s posting his 95 theses – at special services, various Kirchentag venues and other major events. For the first time in the history of the separated churches, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation will be commemorated in ecumenical fellowship.

Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, chair of the EKD Council, said in the service: “The Reformation anniversary sends a signal of reconciliation and a fresh start. Where people are enthusiastic about Christ, as Martin Luther was, they begin to build reconciliation, because they know that they themselves are reconciled. They overcome their anxiety and start to live from freedom. They forgive, because they know that they themselves can only live from forgiveness. People have fresh confidence to love, because they feel in their hearts the love they have received from God.” Bedford-Strohm likewise underlined the status of the Reformation anniversary for the ecumenical movement. “Today Protestant and Catholic Christians are longing to do things together. We are grateful for the many steps we have taken towards one another.” During the service, Cardinal Karl Lehmann, bishop of Mainz and long-time chair of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, was awarded the EKD’s Martin Luther Medal for his services to ecumenism in Germany. In his tribute, the EKD Council chair told him: “You are someone who, very early on, saw the Reformation anniversary as an ecumenical opportunity – at a time when withdrawal and scepticism in your church was still very strong. We are happy that, on the common journey of our two churches, many sceptics have become advocates.”

In his sermon, Berlin Bishop Dr. Markus Dröge highlighted the significance of the anniversary year: “Reformation is a rhythm that inspires, a life-giving heart-beat. Not just 500 years old but constantly revived, a momentum that stirs and transforms, that encourages people to question the status quo. That is what we are celebrating with this Reformation centennial.”

The service and ceremonial act marks the launch of the Reformation anniversary year. The publishing of Luther’s theses will be commemorated with many different events in Germany and Europe until 31 October 2017. The next highpoint will be a programme in Geneva on 3 November to start off the European Roadmap project. A show-truck collecting stories (‘storymobile’) will stop at 68 way-stations in 67 cities of the Reformation. The tour will end up at the World Reformation Exhibition in Wittenberg on 20 May 2017.

The joint church-state celebrations on Reformation Day concluded with a reception at the Konzerthaus at Gendarmenmarkt in the centre of Berlin. Representatives of the German federal and state governments and of civil society participated in the ceremonial act “500 years of Reformation”. Following greetings from Michael Müller, governing mayor of Berlin, and Monika Grütters, chancellery minister of state for culture and the media, Federal President Joachim Gauck gave the keynote speech.

EKD Press Office
Carsten Splitt