Peace light trip: Hope and light despite conflicts in Vienna!

Peace light trip: Hope and light despite conflicts in Vienna!

Wien, Österreich - On December 12, 2024, the traditional peace light, which this year no longer comes directly from Betlehem due to the conflict in the Middle East, will be inflamed in Upper Austria. The festive ceremony takes place in the Christkindl pilgrimage church and will be passed on on December 14th at 2 p.m. in the Vienna Votive Church. A special event will be the handover of the light through a Slovak scout group to the President of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini. This solemn event marks the beginning of an international journey of the peace light, which is continued in several countries, such as kathpress.at reported.

The distribution of peace light will be carried out in Slovakia and the Czech Republic on December 21, and here too, ecumenical celebrations are held here. In the Czech Republic, the handover takes place after a celebration in the Vienna Votive Church in the Peter-and-Pauls Dom in Brno. In addition to the Catholic representatives, pastors from various Protestant churches are also expected. The celebration will take place under the patronage of the Mayor of Brünner Marketa Vankova, which underlines the importance of this tradition, which ooe.orf.at emphasized.

departure from tradition

Because of the unstable situation in the Middle East and the restricted air traffic, the traditional delegation trip to Bethlehem was canceled this year. Nevertheless, the light of Christkindl, the twin town of Betlehems, will break up for its worldwide journey. The peace light, which is carefully kept by scouts in Austria, is once again inflamed by a child this year, while the ceremony is also reinforced with additional initiatives, such as working with internet advice for young people. Another highlight will be a live broadcast of the peace light child from the ORF program "Friedenslichtshow" on December 23, in which the child will also personally present the light.