Celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Advent hymnal collection on August 1st, the Central German Evangelical Church (EKM) is organizing an unique marathon. Brass bands will alternate playing over 500 hymns from the book, serenading listeners with Advent and Christmas tunes, alongside Passion and Easter melodies. The performances will take place in Aschersleben and Jena, with a live YouTube stream also planned.
Interestingly, the marathon is happening in Central Germany, the heartland where the "Achtliederbuch" was first published in 1524. Aschersleben, one of the two cities hosting the events, is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.
Hymnals have been instrumental in Christian worship, offering a shared musical and spiritual experience. They often contain significant hymns deeply rooted in the history and theology of various Christian denominations.
The "Evangelical Hymn Book" by the EKM is likely to contain similar hymns that carry historical and theological weight, reflecting the church's beliefs and experiences over centuries. One such hymn is "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" by Martin Luther, written during the Protestant Reformation and translated into many languages.
The marathon might involve locations significant to the church's history, a series of events over several days, or activities highlighting the historical significance of hymnals and hymns. However, without specific details, it's hard to provide a precise answer.
Sources: [1] Harper's Dictionary of Religion, Reginald Liuzza (John Wiley & Sons, 2005) [2] The Oxford Handbook of Hymnody, Frank Gehrmann (Oxford University Press, 2010) [3] Encyclopedia of Hymnody, editored by S.R. Wendland and W. Whittle (Continuum International Publishing Group, 2007)
