NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio – Traditional Moravian Christmas “lovefeast” services will be held at Schoenbrunn Village Dec. 10. The free services will be conducted at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in Schoenbrunn’s log meeting house and will be open to the public.
The Moravian lovefeast is a fellowship service that has been held in Moravian churches for nearly 250 years, originating in Germany in the 1740s.
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 candies 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.
Operated by the Ohio Historical Society, Schoenbrunn Village is a partial reconstruction of a Moravian mission village that was founded by Moravian missionaries and Christian Delaware Indians in 1772.
Local Moravian clergy will conduct the services and Moravian vocal and brass choirs will provide the music. Participants should dress warmly for the 40-minute service.
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.
