This week in Germany there are two religious holidays.

The first holiday is on Monday. Reformationstag or Reformation Day is observed in the Protestant areas of Germany.

The second holiday is on Tuesday. Allerheiligen or All Saint’s Day is observed in the Catholic areas of Germany.

Jena, Germany, where I visit the most when I go to Germany, is in an area that celebrates both holidays.

I will start with Allerheiligen (All Saint’s Day). This holiday is for remembering and praying for church members or family who have passed away. Similar to Memorial Day they decorate the graves of the ones they are remembering. It is also a time for families to come together for meals and fellowship.

The picture above is of St. John’s Church where the Catholics of Jena worship.

Reformationstag (Reformation Day) commemorates October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther posted his 95 Thesis to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

Jena also has connections to Martin Luther as he preached at St. Michael which is the Stadtkirche or City Church.

Inside the church building is what was to have been the grave plate for Martin Luther. There is an interesting story as to how it ended up in Jena. See: Luther’s Original Grave Plate

Martin Luther is buried in the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. On the wall you can see a copy of the grave plate that is in Jena. The actual grave marker for Martin Luther is on the sandstone plinth and he is buried directly beneath it.

Here is a close up of the grave plate.

You can read more about the grave of Martin Luther in my post Martin Luther’s Grave.

You can also find links to some of the other Reformation Day posts I have written through the past years at Reformation Day Posts.

Steven