Reformation Day

Today (yesterday now, since I had to wait for the photos to load) is (was) Reformation Day.  Not a particularly special day for me any year before this one.  However, having been in Switzerland just a few weeks ago, I have a few pictures that I think might be of interest.

This is the home of the Reformation in Southern Germany, the Stiftskirche, or Collegiate Church.  It is in Stuttgart, Germany, where we spent a day sightseeing, hosted by our college friend, Mary, and her husband, Alfred.  This church was the location of the first Protestant sermon delivered in Germany on May 16, 1543.  The reformer, Johannes Brenz, pastored here.  I might note that the second spire at the back of the photo is also part of the church.

This is the statue of Heinrich Bullinger, on the side of the Grossmunster, or Great Church, in Zurich.    It's location on the church is a bit ironic since while Zwingli was pastor, all statues and images in the church were removed.  Not as well known today as Zwingli, Bullinger followed Zwingli as pastor at Grossmunster.

This is a view of the Great Church from the bridge over the River Limmat, just a short distance from Lake Zurich.

I took this photo because of the words over the doorway.  I thought I could read them in the photo, but the shadow is too deep.  So I will tell you what they say, when I can remember them  :-(

This final photo is of one of the stained glass windows now gracing the church.  I hope you can see the abstract nature of the window, which I found totally incongruous, especially from inside the church, where the nave is very simple in design.  Maybe someone better versed in understanding abstract art can explain to me how these windows mesh with the plainness of the church interior, as well as the theology of Zwingli and Bullinger.

Well, it is now All Saints Day.  So maybe before it is over, I will post some photos we took of Catholic churches and cathedrals in Germany and Switzerland.