NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio – Traditional Moravian Christmas “lovefeast” services will be held at Schoenbrunn Village Dec. 9. at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in Schoenbrunn’s log meetinghouse.
The Moravian lovefeast is a fellowship service that has been held in Moravian churches for nearly 250 years, originating in Germany in the 1740s.
About the service. The service includes a simple meal, consisting of a hot beverage and Moravian sugarcake; hymn-singing; special Moravian brass choral music; and the distribution of lighted beeswax candles trimmed with red tissue.
The building is illuminated by candlelight, heated by a single fireplace, and is simply decorated for the season with greens and ribbons.
Today, Moravian churches throughout the world conduct lovefeast services at Christmas time. It has become an annual tradition for Tuscarawas County Moravians to come together each year at Schoenbrunn Village to commemorate the first Moravian Christmas services celebrated in the Tuscarawas Valley over two centuries ago.
How to get there. Schoenbrunn Village is located one mile southeast of downtown New Philadelphia, Ohio on state Route 259 (High Avenue).
For more information call 330-339-3636 or 800-752-2711.
