European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 19, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 10 the stars and stripes religion saturday november 19,1994 sisterhood grew out of Wii ruins the against by Carlos Bongioanni staff writer fifty years ago As Allied warplanes demolished the City of Darmstadt Germany a repentance movement exploded in the hearts of Many German women. The movement gave Rise to a group known As the evangelical sisterhood of Mary which flourishes today. Members of the sisterhood known around the world because of their interdenominational backgrounds Are sometimes referred to As the protestant nuns. A a that a not really a Good name though Quot said sister Eulalia an older member of the sisterhood who was a nurse before devoting herself to following god. A protestant suggests we re protesting against something. We re not besides we even have a few Catholic nuns among our ranks of lutherans episcopalians presbyterians and messianic jews to name a few a Eulalia said. The sisterhood grew out of the guilt Many germans were feeling about the actions of their government particularly the Slaughter of jews by nazi Germany. From its Headquarters in Darmstadt the sisterhood expanded its Mission to More than 20 locations around the world including Canada the United states South America and Asia no matter where they Are the sisterhood emphasizes that people should have repentant hearts before god not Only for the wrongs Thev do but also for All wrongs that Numas commit other humans. Before the War Mother Basilea one of the founders of the sisterhood led a girls Bible study group with about five or six students. The group grew to about Iso in 1942, even though the Gestapo the nazis secret police warned Basilea to Stop the studies. Basilea along with Mother founded the sisterhood in 194 with the other Sisters they built Chapel and a Mother House in using materials from the ruins of Darmstadt. A in 1955, the sisterhood started looking to expand its facilities so it could have a prayer Garden. Believing that god had promised them the land they began praying for it even though the City of Darmstadt already had made plans to use the neighbouring property for a housing Complex for . Army officers stationed in the . A. A a the Darmstadt housing director told them it was impossible a said brother Sylvestro a permanent member of the franciscan brotherhood which shares the land with the sisterhood. A the Access Road to the freeway was supposed to pass through part of the property As Well but in the end god answered the Sisters prayers and gave them the land a Sylvestro said. A the army ended up building their housing units closer to the base and the people in Eberstadt decided they wanted the Access Road further Down in Eberstadt a he said referring to the town that Borders on the land. Sylvestro said the Mission of the sisterhood and the brotherhood is to strengthen those who love Jesus by producing books videos and audiotapes and by having Quot Mission stations Quot in other countries. The Darmstadt facility known As the land of Canaan prints Christian literature in addition to a producing television and radio programs. A Canaan was originally meant to be a Retreat location where christians could get away from it All and get encouraged in. Their Faith a said Sylvestro a the ministry started expanding As an International outreach in 1980 As More and More people became interested in what we were  _ Canaan has sunday worship services at its main Chapel every week at 9 30 . And daily prayer services at its a Moth Eshouse Chapel at 3 . Services Are open to the Public. A. Or a a a i some members of the interdenominational sisterhood prepare to sing. A a yer saw.  try. Y or / a amps photo  of Canaan in Darmstadt Germany. The Entrance to Canaan urges a do penance. The kingdom of god is at  germans scrap a again by Carlos Bongioanni staff writer the last time Germany abolished the National Holiday known As repentance Day Adolf Hitler controlled the country now nearly 50 years after the fall of Hitler s third Reich repentance Day is once again being eliminated As an official Federal Many germans observed. The Holiday a time that was to be used to Pray and repent for the final time wednesday. Officials Are eliminating the Holiday to help finance a new social program covering care of the elderly according to German press reports. It is part of a plan that requires employees to work an extra Day each year by either sacrificing a Day of vacation or giving up the religious Holiday. The Federal taxes generated from the additional Day of work will help fund the health care plan. The Federal decision however Hasni to eliminated the Holiday just yet the governments in Germany a 16 states have been deciding whether to retain repentance Day As a state Holiday. But according to the Frankfurter ajl Gemeiner Zeitung most have already voted to abolish it. The newspaper has reported that thousands of protestants and Catho lies have been signing petitions opposing the abolishment of the Holiday. However the newspaper also quoted Church leaders who conceded that Many churchgoers would rather give up repentance Day than lose a Day of vacation. Repentance Day dates Back to the old testament. It became a Legal Holiday 142 years ago in the German state of Prussia and later m All the German states. It became a Federal Holiday for All of Germany after world War i. The Holiday usually fell on the third wednesday in november