News Summary

Wittenberg University's Weaver Chapel is turning out the lights and keeping the organ keys silent for their annual Medieval Candlelight Vespers Service.

The service, also known as Candlemas, will be held at 7:15 p.m. Thursday and shares the altar with Wind in the Woods, a Yellow Springs group who preform with medieval instruments such as the lute and the krummhörn, an early trombone.

Wittenberg Pastor Andy Tune said it is an ancient service to bless the chapel candles and observe the eve of The Presentation of Our Lord, a Christian tradition commemorating infant Jesus's arrival at the temple in Jerusalem.

Tune said he enjoys conducting the service, held at Wittenberg for 30 years, because the candle light and Latin-sung medieval melodies create a meditative and subdued mood.

But not every aspect of the winter ceremony strictly follows the medieval tradition.

"One big difference between the Middle Ages and now is that it's warmer now then it was then," Tune said, referring to the fact that medieval chapels, lacking electric heat, were cold places to worship.

The pastor said people are welcome to bring candles from their home to be blessed.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or eschmautz@coxohio.com