Totensonntag facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Totensonntag |
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A congregation of the United States-based denomination Evangelical and Reformed Church observing Totenfest by lighting votive candles in memory of the faithful departed
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| Also called | Ewigkeitssonntag Totenfest |
| Observed by | Lutherans & Reformed in Germany |
| Significance | Remembrance of the Faithful Departed |
| Observances | church services, praying for the dead, lighting votive candles, visiting cemeteries and graveyards |
| Date | Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 132: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Related to | Allhallowtide, Advent |
Totensonntag (which means Sunday of the Dead) is a special day for many Protestant Christians. It is also known as Ewigkeitssonntag (Eternity Sunday) or Totenfest. This holiday is celebrated in Germany and Switzerland. On this day, people remember family and friends who have passed away.
Totensonntag always falls on the last Sunday of the church year. This is the Sunday right before Advent, which is the start of the Christmas season.
Contents
How Totensonntag Started
For a long time, the last Sundays of the church year focused on important Christian ideas. These included thoughts about death and what happens after life. The very last Sunday often looked forward to Judgment Day.
In 1816, a king named Frederick William III of Prussia made a new rule. He said that all Lutheran churches in his kingdom had to observe this last Sunday. It became a "general celebration in memorial of the deceased." Other Lutheran churches in Germany soon started doing the same thing.
In the United States, some Protestant churches also celebrate a similar day. They call it Totenfest.
Why Totensonntag is Special
Totensonntag is a very important day in all German states. The laws in Germany protect this day. It is seen as a day of mourning and remembrance. It is also called a "silent day." This means there are special rules about what people can do in public. For example, loud music or parties are often not allowed.
Totensonntag and Other Christian Traditions
In the Roman Catholic Church, the last Sunday of the church year is also special. It is called Solemnity of Christ the King. This day celebrates Jesus as the eternal King. It has some similarities to Eternity Sunday.
However, Catholics usually remember those who have passed away on a different day. This day is called All Souls' Day. It happens earlier in November.
See also
- Stir-up Sunday
- Thursday of the Dead
- Volkstrauertag
