Traveling the Trail of Martin Luther
Thirty-two members of Ascension Lutheran Church, Rancho Palos Verdes, along with members of several other Lutheran churches traveled for 12 days in Germany and Switzerland. The highlight of the tour was attending the Passion Play in Oberammergau. This photo was taken on our last day in Heidelberg, Germany.
Every 10 years the little town of Oberammergau in the German Bavarian Alps stages “The Passion Play” depicting the last week of the life of Christ. The play’s presentation can be traced to 1633 when the Black Plague swept Europe. The people of Oberammergau took a solemn oath: If God spared them, they would present a day-long play depicting the last week in the life of Christ. To this day they have kept their promise.
Our trip began in September in Berlin, a city that has made a remarkable comeback with the unification of East and West Germany. We followed what is called the Luther Trail, visiting the small towns of Wittenberg, Eisleben, Leipzig, Eisenach, and Erfurt; places where Martin Luther’s life and work led to the great Reformation. Munich was in full party mode on the last weekend of Oktoberfest. We all enjoyed a couple days in Lucerne, Switzerland, where we were surrounded by the Swiss Alps in all their glory. We enjoyed a short stop in Heidelberg before flying back home. The next time the Passion Play will be presented will be 2020 from mid-May to the first weekend in October. It is sold out years in advance. PEN