Evidence of celebrations of thanksgiving and repentance in Switzerland reaches back to the late Middle Ages, revealing clear peaks during times of hardship. When the Swiss Confederation was founded in 1848, the Day of Thanksgiving, Prayer and Repentance assumed political importance. Henceforth, it was officially observed by the state on an annual basis.

At that time, the nascent state and the religious truce between Reformed Protestants and the Catholics stood on shaky ground. The common Day of Thanksgiving, Prayer and Repentance highlighted their shared roots in the Christian tradition, and observing the holiday together lent a stabilising element to the fragile framework of the state. The Day of Thanksgiving, Prayer and Repentance was meant to promote respect for other political and religious beliefs and became a symbol and instrument of state and confessional consensus. The cantonal governments each delivered a message to the people to this effect, known as the Day of Prayer Mandate. Nowadays, this tradition is mainly observed by the regional churches and dioceses, although official statements are still issued by the authorities to mark the day.

The three motives of giving thanks, repenting and prayer are the core activities on this day and gave the holiday its name. Repentance and abstention were part of the Day of Prayer from the start. In some cantons, sporting, dancing and cultural events and entertainment are still forbidden on the Day of Prayer even now. It was also customary to fast on this day. This gave rise to the enduring popular tradition of consuming plum cake at midday on the Day of Prayer. People mindfully forego their usual Sunday dinner and eat a plum cake instead.

The “repentance” element starkly reminds us that our country enjoys great wealth at the cost of other nations and inhabitants of the Earth. Abstention and self-restraint make it clear on this day that we can also do things differently.

Thanksgiving seems to have become part of the Day of Prayer during the 17th century. People repeatedly give thanks for being spared violence, emergencies and disasters. But they also express gratitude for those who work every day towards Switzerland’s good and for the great efforts of previous generations.

There is evidence of a dedicated “Great Prayer of the Swiss” since 1517. The Christian Churches in Switzerland Working Group (AGCK) nurtures this tradition and has written a uniform prayer to mark the day. It is meant to be spoken as a symbol of Christian unity in the Day of Prayer services of worship conducted by the Christian churches.

However, in secularised and pluralist society the Swiss Day of Thanksgiving, Prayer and Repentance is subject to repeated criticism. There is question as to whether the state should sanction a Christian holiday.

The Day of Prayer is more than a Christian holiday. It goes beyond pious customs and remains constantly relevant. It also has a political dimension and raises public awareness. It makes every sense for the state to offer its inhabitants an annual occasion to contemplate and agree upon the shared points of reference and values that transcend religious and cultural boundaries.

These days, the Swiss Day of Prayer is celebrated as an ecumenical holiday and the churches are mainly left to decide for themselves how to observe it. It is a day of solidarity that shows that we belong together as people, that we are all “God’s children” and linked to the entirety of God’s creation, and that we bear responsibility for one another and for creation.

I was reminded of a song from the 1970s with lyrics by Ulrich Schaffer.

The dandelion convinces me

to take the wings of the upward wind

and fly with my parachute into enemy country

there to fall to earth

to feel feet crushing me

and not to look a pretty sight

to die

but thereby to call forth a generation of parachutists

the dandelion convinces me

to take the wings of the  upward winds

and fly with my parachute into enemy country

The Community of Protestant Churches in Europe wants to have an impact on the world with its General Assembly. As the seeds of the dandelion are carried away by the wind, we hope that the momentum of the General Assembly will be carried by the Spirit into the member churches and European societies.

The topics here are meant to be like seeds. The times of celebration, prayer, reflection and discussion are to spread and multiply, encouraging Christians in the whole of Europe to live their faith and together to seek out what unites them.

In Basel the delegates of the member churches will gather in the body of Basel Cathedral. They will join in prayer, in singing, in listening to God’s word, in the celebration of Holy Communion and in theological debate.

And they will go out, out of the churches and out of the houses, into the world. Christians do not remain in a closed group. They disseminate what is important to them. Let the seed fly – through the Spirit of God.

Liberated – connected – committed: we look forward to the gathering in Basel!

Rev. Kathrin Nothacker, CPCE, Vienna