European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - June 7, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse A legend that lives by de Reavis stall writer n Cologne. A town q churches that in Slimy to ils we ally of Christian history none a Reinales Mote than the Church of St. Ursula and the be Gand Olathe 11.000 virgins once upon a time there lived in she cold Windy climes til Bitanny sometimes erroneously ref Rod Loas Britaina Young Princess named Ursula her Beauty enchanted Young men throughout is Ihen known world but in Hie son of an English King who asked per Mission to marry her couriers bearing precious Gills and the request for the joining of she two Royal houses wore sent from England in Brill any with the order nol to return without the Promise of marriage from the Princess. Ursula s father was enraged Al the thought of his Christian daughter being married to the heal Hon englishman hut Ursula herself had other ideas. She promised to marry ids englishman it several conditions were fulfilled Kcf lather was to give her 10 virgins As ladies in wailing and they in turn should each be Given 1,000 maids chosen from the beauties of the a Calm he was then to prepare a ship and give her Izreo years to make a pilgrimage Wilh the entire entourage to Rome to see the Pope in Iho meantime Ursula demanded her Groom was to Lake instructions in her Laith and to christened the Young Man convinced his father to allow him to accept Usuia demands. Sun Elul Bishop. Joined Ursula s pilgrimage and the English Prince made plans to Eccl her in Cologne on her return and Lead her Back to England As his Bride while sailing up the Rhine an Angel appeared to Ursula twice first it told her she and her entourage should return to Cologne where she would receive the Crown of martyrdom and then l told her o continue her pilgrimage Lohorne in Rome she was warmly received by the Pope also Cologne s romanesque churches medieval Wreath of romanesque churches Woven around Iho Center of Cologne has been restored to its Lormer glory risen from the rubble of world War ii. Their names spoken Rebe Verale Wilt the polyphony of Christian history and the period of Cologne s greatest hour from 115010 1250 St. Andreas is burial place of Alec plus Magnus died 1280. The great Saint of the dominicans of Cologne ii was Fie along with Bernard de Clairvaux who inspired Iho wealthy to transform their riches into Iris mighty architecture which today Lili boars witness to Hie Hope and Faith of that period the other churches forming the Wreath Are the collegiate Church of Saint apostle in Saml Choc Tia. Saml George Saml Gereon dedicated of the Saint and his companions who were martyrs of the last great persecution of the christians. Saint Kunibert St Maria Lys Kirchen. Saint Maria in Capitol Gross is Martin. Is Pantal Caon St. Severin and St Ursula. Of All the Chuichu in this City of churches the Church of St Ursula stands out us Chiue the Tilory behind Trie Saint never ceases to amaze e r a pious Princess from Brittany named Ursula is said to have enchanted Young men More than 1,500 years ago. A native of uncanny. And he christened Ihone maids of the entourage who were not Yel Christian one nigh Hie Pope had a vision that he was to accompany Ursula to Cologne and become a Row Tyr for his Lailah. Although the cardinals Lal cd him Cut of his plan the Pope sent a holy Man whom to crowned a Pope in his Stead on the trip. The cardinals however. Struck the holy Man s name from the fist of Popes As Ursula with he entourage now increased by Bishops and a Pope made her Way Back to sri Lanny Hor eager Groom had the vision to would be martyred in Cologne. When the ships of the Prince and Ursula met near Cologne they found the City under siege by he huns. Tzib legend claims when tha huns espied All those virgins they attacked them like wolves feasting upon sheep killing everyone including Ursula s male travelling companions it is reported when the King of the huns saw Ursula to was so struck by her Beauty he tried to console her about the deaths of her friends and asked her to become his Queen the legend claims she refused and the disappointed Hun pierced Hor heart with his own Bow and Arrow ending Iho Story. The Church of St. Ursula near the Cologne train Slaton is built on grounds used As a cemetery by the romans Ursula s lame spread As excavations Over the years revealed thousands of skeletons obviously the legend leaves much room for debate it s Uncertain when this massacre took place in 23b, 283 or in 451 a d the Church i sell removed the Del 21 Celebration of the least Olsi. Ursula from the liturgical Calendar because of the problem of proving Ursula s historical existence. Nevertheless in remains a fascinating tale. Page 18 the stars and stripes the Church of St. Ursula near the Cologne Railroad station is build on a site used by romans As a cemetery. Sunday june 7, 1987
