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Wilparting: Irschenberg parish association celebrates the 1325th anniversary of the pilgrimage site

2022-09-28T17:48:12.982Z


The small town of Wilparting is inconspicuously located on the A 8 motorway. But its pilgrimage church of St. Marinus and Anianus has made it known beyond the borders of the district, if not made it famous. And if you believe Mesner Franz Köll: even worldwide.


The small town of Wilparting is inconspicuously located on the A 8 motorway. But its pilgrimage church of St. Marinus and Anianus has made it known beyond the borders of the district, if not made it famous.

And if you believe Mesner Franz Köll: even worldwide.

Now the Irschenberg parish association is celebrating the 1325th anniversary of the pilgrimage site.

Opportunity to take a look inside the church that most people only know from the outside.

One notices how great the interest in St. Marinus and Anianus is when one is there for a longer period of time.

Again and again people come to look into the church, through the two peepholes of the neighboring chapel and take photos - of the church and of course the picturesque mountain panorama.

The number plates at the parking lot suggest: Wilparting is known throughout Germany.

Perfect holiday photo along the way

Which is not surprising.

The small church is clearly visible directly from the motorway, with the mountains behind it - a perfect holiday photo along the way.

The motif is widely known, the historical background less so.

1325 years have passed since the death of Bishop Marinus and his nephew, the deacon Anianus.

Both died on the same day, November 15, 697 - Anianus died of natural causes in his dwelling in Alb, Marinus at the stake in Wilparting.

Missionaries from Ireland make a pilgrimage to the Pope

It is believed that both came from Ireland, made a pilgrimage to Rome and received blessings from Pope Eugene I and commissioned the mission.

They went over the Alps to Salzburg, Rott am Inn and finally to Irschenberg, where both in Wilparting and Alb instructed the population in the Christian faith for 40 years.

Until predatory Slavs captured Marinus and tortured him.

He was supposed to betray surrounding settlements, but the martyr said nothing and was burned.

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Only remains of bones have survived from Marinus.

© THOMAS PLETTENBERG

In the church, the mortal remains of the two local saints can be seen in reliquaries on the high altar.

While it contains a large number of bones from Anianus, hardly anything has survived from Marinus.

"Especially the brain case, because it didn't burn completely," explains the sexton.

Plus a few leftovers.

An ornate miter refers to Marinus' episcopal dignity.

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There are many relics of Anianus.

© THOMAS PLETTENBERG

For Pastor Tadeusz Kmiec-Forstner, the bishop and deacon doing pastoral care together and proclaiming the Word of God is a special feature of this place.

“They always try to be with the people.

This connection is very strong here.” The place also has a special power.

“Wilparting is a source of empowerment.

Not just for the parish association or the deanery, but for the diocese.” He himself appreciates the church because of the peace and quiet.

Special jewelry box

And she is a jewel case with special pieces.

There is the small hooded cast bell with which the service is opened.

It is probably the oldest intact church bell in Bavaria, my pastor and sacristan unanimously - if not even in Germany.

Six large images tell the story of Marinus and Anianus, twelve small ones the martyrdom of Jesus.

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Fresh, bright colors impress when looking at the ceiling painting.

In the middle it shows Bishop Marinus on the pyre and to his right Deacon Anianus praying in his dwelling.

© THOMAS PLETTENBERG

The ceiling painting depicting Marinus on the pyre is particularly impressive.

The original colors are still intact today and appear fresh and clear.

"The paintings need the cold, damp air," explains Köll.

What Tadeusz confirms: "Heating in the church would be the end.

The paintings need 70 percent humidity.” During the interior restoration of Wilparting 45 years ago, the painting was only cleaned with a brush and cotton wool – “that was enough”.

Church burned down and rebuilt

In the middle of the passage is the high grave.

A sarcophagus said to have been erected on the site of the pyre.

Initially there was Marinus' tomb, then a small wooden church was built there for the many pilgrims, but it burned down in 1200.

The remains in the tomb were kept by the Rott monastery until the new church was gradually built in its present form.

In 1759 it was finished.

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Rare insight: The altar in the small chapel shows St. Marinus (left), St. Vitus (centre) and St. Anianus.

© THOMAS PLETTENBERG

Outside, next to the church, is the chapel of St. Veit, or rather St. Vitus.

Legend has it that Marinus' cell was located there.

The baroque, octagonal chapel was built in 1697. Marinus and Anianus frame their altar, in the middle of which Vitus can be seen in a cauldron with hot oil.

Popular church for weddings

For many wedding guests, however, the pilgrimage church is a "cool location" with a mountain view, regardless of its ecclesiastical importance and historical treasures.

Before Corona, more than 40 weddings per year were performed here.

Bridal couples from all over the world have been here, confirms Köll.

Even a couple from India got married here.

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This bell is one of the oldest in Germany.

© THOMAS PLETTENBERG

Just as the church has no heating, it also has no electric bells.

When the bell tolls, the ropes in the rear nave are pulled by hand.

A strenuous job that is the responsibility of the sacristan.

"But sometimes I leave that to young guys among the wedding guests," he reveals.

"They are then very happy to be able to ring the bell."

Mesner Franz Köll - his grandfather already took care of Wilparting

The pilgrimage church shaped Kröll's life.

Even his grandfather was a sacristan here and took care of the church.

"Then my mother.

And when she couldn't do it anymore, then I did," says the former innkeeper at the Moarhof.

The 78-year-old has been opening and closing the church every day for well over 20 years.

He cares, gives tours.

Lest the story of Marinus and Anianus be forgotten.

ddy

The events around the anniversary of Wilparting


Sunday, October 2nd:

7 p.m. celebratory Vespers for Thanksgiving, performed by the church choir Irschenberg.

Saturday, October 8th:

3 p.m. pilgrimage to Wilparting – start Irschenberg 2.30 p.m., Frauenried 1.30 p.m. (Poschanger), Niklasreuth 1 p.m.

Saturday, October 22:

7.30 p.m. festive concert with Guido Segers (trumpet) and Johannes Berger (organ).

Saturday, November 12:

7:30 p.m. Autumn concert by the Irschenberg choir community.

Monday, November 14:

7:30 p.m. Holy Mass in Alb in honor of St. Marinus and Anianus, organized by the Förderverein Volksmusik Bruckmühl.

Tuesday, November 15th:

Mareistag – 8.30 a.m. Holy Mass for the patron saint, 10 a.m. festive service (celebrant auxiliary bishop em. Bernhard Haßlberger), 3 p.m. prayer with blessing of children, 6 p.m. solemn vespers of the deacons of the archdiocese.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-09-28

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