[QUOTE:]
Bavarian town’s 17th century vow has spared it from coronavirus, pastor says
Thomas Groener, pastor from Oberammergau, presents the so called “Book of Death” from the bubonic plague in the 17th century, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Oberammergau, Germany, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Andreas Gebert
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – The small Bavarian town of Oberammergau has yet to record any cases of the new coronavirus, and its pastor believes a 17th century promise could be the reason why.
In 1633, at the height of the bubonic plague, residents of the little alpine town prayed that they would be spared and vowed that in return, they would perform a passion play every 10 years depicting the last weeks of Christ’s life, his crucifixion and resurrection.
Passion plays were common during the 16th and 17th centuries, but the Oberammergau Passion Play is now the only one still regularly being performed.
For Pastor Thomas Groener, it is no coincidence that the town has so far been spared infections of the new coronavirus.
“God helped the people back then. He saved them from the plague epidemic, spared them. That continues similarly to today,” he said.
Although the town has still recorded no cases of the virus, the 42nd edition of the play, scheduled to be performed from May 16 in a new purpose-built theatre seating 4,400 spectators, has been postponed for two years due to the outbreak, in a blow to the local economy.
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https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-passion-pl/bavarian-towns-17th-century-vow-has-spared-it-from-coronavirus-pastor-says-idUSKCN21S1BD
[Ellanjay:]Another extreme case would be the Amish communities. These are people of ancient faith and traditions. What chance does the CCP have to infiltrate and corrupt them?
I used to view them as stubborn people, people of the forgotten past. Now I’ve realized that, pandemic or otherwise, these people most readily belong to the future.
Bavarian town’s 17th century vow has spared it from coronavirus, pastor says
Thomas Groener, pastor from Oberammergau, presents the so called “Book of Death” from the bubonic plague in the 17th century, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Oberammergau, Germany, April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Andreas Gebert
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – The small Bavarian town of Oberammergau has yet to record any cases of the new coronavirus, and its pastor believes a 17th century promise could be the reason why.
In 1633, at the height of the bubonic plague, residents of the little alpine town prayed that they would be spared and vowed that in return, they would perform a passion play every 10 years depicting the last weeks of Christ’s life, his crucifixion and resurrection.
Passion plays were common during the 16th and 17th centuries, but the Oberammergau Passion Play is now the only one still regularly being performed.
For Pastor Thomas Groener, it is no coincidence that the town has so far been spared infections of the new coronavirus.
“God helped the people back then. He saved them from the plague epidemic, spared them. That continues similarly to today,” he said.
Although the town has still recorded no cases of the virus, the 42nd edition of the play, scheduled to be performed from May 16 in a new purpose-built theatre seating 4,400 spectators, has been postponed for two years due to the outbreak, in a blow to the local economy.
[UNQUOTE]
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-germany-passion-pl/bavarian-towns-17th-century-vow-has-spared-it-from-coronavirus-pastor-says-idUSKCN21S1BD
[Ellanjay:]Another extreme case would be the Amish communities. These are people of ancient faith and traditions. What chance does the CCP have to infiltrate and corrupt them?
I used to view them as stubborn people, people of the forgotten past. Now I’ve realized that, pandemic or otherwise, these people most readily belong to the future.