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Join Bishop Guy Erwin on a Pilgrimage to Luther's Saxony
August 16 - 27, 2016
$3,500 per person
In 2017 Lutheran churches will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which began with Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses on the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg. Join Bishop Guy Erwin in this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of the Reformation in its birthplace.
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| Wittenberg's Castle Church |
Wittenberg: We'll visit to the Castle Church, an integral part of the old ducal palace that was once home to Saxony's ruler and where the Reformation began with Luther's posting of the 95 Theses in 1517. We'll also visit Wittenberg's Town Church of St. Mary, where Luther preached hundreds of sermons and the Luther House, now a museum, which archives more than 10,000 books, 6,000 manuscripts, 2,000 coins and medals, and 14,000 illustrations. Finally, we visit to the Melanchthon House, the home of Luther's closest intellectual associate, Philipp Melanchthon.
Torgau: In 1544, Martin Luther consecrated the Castle Chapel at Schloss Hartenfels as the first-ever worship space built expressly for Protestant services. We will visit this perfectly preserved Renaissance castle and its beautiful chapel.
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| Bach's Church of St. Thomas in Leipzig |
Leipzig: In May 1989, the people of Leipzig first organized the demonstrations that brought hundreds of thousands into the streets for the "Peaceful Revolution." We will visit their rendezvous point at the Gothic St. Nicholas Church, built in 1165. In the afternoon, enjoy a musical performance with the famous St. Thomas Boys' Choir at the 14th century St. Thomas Church, where Luther preached twice and where Bach served as a cantor and choirmaster for 25 years.
Halle and Eisleben: We'll worship at the Corpus Christi Chapel in Wittenberg before we head south to Halle to visit the Market Church with its amazing vaulting and Luther's original death mask. A short drive will bring us to the very small town of Eisleben, where Luther was born and where he died. A museum there describes the spiritual environment of Luther's childhood. Our tour also includes a stop at St. Andrew's Church, where Luther gave his last four sermons.
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| The Bach House in Eisenach |
Eisenach and Wartburg: Explore Wartburg Castle where Luther went into seclusion after being excommunicated and where he translated the New Testament into German. Afterwards, visit the Bach House. The Bach family influenced the city's church music for over 100 years before J.S. Bach's birth in 1685.
Buchenwald: Between 1937 and 1945, a quarter million people were imprisoned at Buchenwald concentration camp. All of them suffered under the cruel treatment there, and 50,000 of them died. Among the prisoners were Lutheran pastors Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Paul Schneider, outspoken opponents of National Socialism.
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| The Frauenkirche in Dresden |
Dresden: Devastated by Allied bombing in 1945, the city has been restored to its baroque splendor since the reunification of Germany in 1990.
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| Berlin's Brandenburg Gate |
Berlin: We start our visit with an orientation drive, including the 1905 neo-Baroque Cathedral, the bomb-damaged tower of Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag building, the government district and Checkpoint Charlie. The next day we'll visit the exhibition at the German Historical Museum and enjoy a free afternoon in one of Europe's most vibrant, youthful, and exciting cities.
The $3,500/person cost includes:
- Airfare
- Transportation in a 4-star European-styled motor-coach with climate control, reclining seats, restroom, sink, refrigerator, and coffee machine.
- Hotel accommodations in German twin beds, double occupancy.
- Sightseeing and excursions as cited in the program.
- 18 meals
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