Common Prayers Day: April 30
Common Prayers Day is a public holiday in Denmark and Greenland.
Denmark celebrates Common Prayers Day usually on the last Friday after the celebration of Easter Sunday. The date of the celebration varies, but for 2010, it will be celebrated on April 30, 2010. The holiday is locally known as, ‘Store Bededag.’
King Christian V of Denmark instituted the celebration of Common Prayers Day to combine the festivity held by various small Christian religious affiliations in Denmark into one common holiday.
Denmark is the only country that celebrates Common Prayers Day; a practice not celebrated in other Scandinavian countries. The holiday’s other popular names are Great Day of Prayer, Great Prayer Day, All Prayers Day or General Prayer Day.
History of Denmark’s Common Prayers Day
The Common Prayers Day began in Denmark in 1686 during the reign of King Christian V. The holiday was instituted to consolidate the minor Christian religious holidays after the birth of Protestantism (Reformation). It was left unscathed during the holiday reformation in 1771 during the time of Christian VII.
The celebration of Common Prayers Day was effective in uniting the observance of minor individual Christian holidays and saints during Spring season in Denmark.
Denmark’s Common Prayers Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities
Government offices and businesses close during the holidays. Several traditions associated with the celebration of Common Prayers Day are eating of traditional Danish bread called ‘varme hveder’ and walking along the famous parks of Copenhagen such as the Langelinie.
Since most businesses, including bakeries, are closed during the holiday, it has become a tradition to buy verme hveder a night before the celebration. The tolling of church bells is common during the night signaling the celebration of the holiday as churches conduct their regular church service for the occasion.
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