Day of Prayer and Repentance — is a special day for the Protestant Church. It is celebrated on the Wednesday before the last Sunday of the church year. Most popular in German-speaking countries (Germany, Switzerland, Austria).
This holiday has its roots in the medieval «days of redemption». At that time, at the threat of natural disasters and wars, the clergy called on the entire population for increased prayer and repentance.
The word «repentance» often creates incorrect associations. On this day we are not talking about repentance for what we have done in the sense of receiving punishment for it, but about a change in attitude, a return to God.
Over time, the religious content of these days lost its social and acquired a personal character. Since believers had to devote this entire day to thinking about their sinfulness, all kinds of work were cancelled. In some countries this tradition has survived to this day.