Humanity and Transience: Commemoration on Remembrance Day

Humanity and Transience: Commemoration on Remembrance Day

On November 16, 2025, a festive Remembrance Day service was celebrated in St. Peter's Church. At the center of the event was the profound question “What is man?", which is dealt with in Psalm 8. The liturgy addressed the transience and vulnerability of human beings - aspects that become particularly clear in these moving times. The participants were clearly shown that human beings are not only the founders of strife, but also have the ability to act as light for the world and to create peace. A quote from the Bible impressively summarizes this dilemma: "Like a flower, man blooms and is cut off. He flees like a shadow and doesn't stay here.“

Traditionally, wreaths are laid at war memorials on this day. This is done in memory of the victims of war and violence, and to emphasize the valuable lessons of humanity. Deaconess Theresa Kosog led the service while Pastor Jean-Pierre Barraud gave the sermon. The liturgy was supported by Christl Mayr, who read the biblical texts. The musical accompaniment by Salvatore La Ferrera brought out both lament and departure, while Anna M. Stephany's mezzo-soprano enriched the proceedings emotionally. Tanja Schmid on the organ rounded off the musical experience.

Humanity in society

Humanity plays a central role in today's society, especially in the way we interact with our fellow human beings and the world. As the Cambridge Dictionary highlights, caring for refugees and ensuring equality and access to public services for all people is an imperative of humanity. Humanity means not only compassion, but also responsibility and action.

The values ​​of humanity, especially respecting human rights and promoting cohesion, are essential for the well-being of our communities. Helmut Plessner, a German philosopher, once emphasized the importance of humanity by emphasizing that it forms a basis for coexistence in a democracy. It is a constant challenge to promote humanity in our actions and not to fall into inhumanity.

Education and human rights

Another important aspect is the education sector. According to the Wikipedia entry on humanity, schools are obliged to educate the values ​​of humanity. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 affirms the need to guarantee the dignity and rights of every human being. This shows how important it is to promote and maintain a culture of humanity in our society.

In these volatile times, it is often the small gestures of humanity that make the difference. Let us all have a good knack for ensuring that humanity does not remain just an empty phrase in everyday life, but is actively lived. Because at the end of the day, each of us has the ability to bring light into the world and contribute to peace.