One hundred years of the Frauenkirche: Reconciliation between Dresden and Coventry celebrated!

One hundred years of the Frauenkirche: Reconciliation between Dresden and Coventry celebrated!

An important anniversary was recently celebrated in the heart of Dresden: the restoration of the Frauenkirche, which is considered a symbol of reconciliation and peace, was honored with a festive service and a variety of events. Almost 800 people gathered in the impressively resurrected church on Neumarkt to look back with joy and gratitude on the last two decades since its consecration. The service took place as part of the festival weeks organized by the Frauenkirche Dresden Foundation. These included concerts, devotions and guided tours that were enriching for all participants, according to the foundation.

A highlight of the ceremony was the speech by the Bishop of Coventry, who honored the long-standing friendship between her city and Dresden. She emphasized how important this connection is for the two cities and their citizens. She appealed to heal the wounds of history and promote communities toward justice and peace. As part of her visit, she presented a small statue of reconciliation to the Frauenkirche Foundation, which serves as a symbol of the close relationship between the cities. This partnership, which began in 1959 with the signing of the Partnership Agreement, has achieved much good over the past decades.

Historical roots of friendship

The first contacts between Dresden and Coventry date back to the 1950s. At that time, the churches of both cities began to initiate reconciliation efforts, which arose, among other things, from the need to overcome the divisions of the Second World War. Coventry Cathedral in particular played a crucial role in this process. In 1965, young Christians from Coventry helped to rebuild the Dresden Deaconess Hospital and contributed to other projects to strengthen the ties between the cities. This valuable collaboration continued in the following decades, such as the expansion of a kindergarten in the Dresden Deaconess Institute in 2001 and the participation of Dresden young people in an international conference in Coventry Cathedral in 2012.

The commitment to reconciliation and peace is a central concern of the four Dresden churches and the Sophienkirche-Busmannkapelle memorial, which have joined the Nail Cross Community in Coventry. These institutions are committed to promoting peace and justice and actively contribute to reconciliation work.

A message of forgiveness

In the church services, the importance of forgiveness, which emerges from Christian teaching, is repeatedly pointed out. Forgiveness is asked for the hatred that divides people and nations and for sharing in the suffering of prisoners, homeless people and refugees. The challenges of our time - from greed to envy - are named, and there is a call for warmth and forgiveness among one another, in keeping with the teachings of Jesus.

The Frauenkirche, which Pastor Markus Engelhardt aptly described as having “risen from ruins”, remains not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a living symbol of hope, healing and the power of reconciliation in a world that is sometimes characterized by conflict. The church consecration day on October 30th will bring the celebrations to a close, and the city will once again bloom in the memory of our shared history.