General Prayer Day 2023: General Prayer Day (Store Bededag) is observed in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands on May 5 this year, which is the fourth Friday after Easter. Initiated in 1686 by the Danish Emperor Christian V, the holiday is a consolidation of several Roman Catholic festivals. The day commemorates the minor saints in the Spring as well as several other pre-Reformation-era customs. Each year, the celebration is commemorated by the ringing of church bells, the strolling of college students, and other rituals.
HISTORY OF GENERAL PRAYER DAY
The fourth Friday after Easter is General Prayer Day (Store Bededag), a national day of prayer and Catholic service in Denmark. This day supersedes a number of other penitential days observed by the country’s state church. Hans Bagger, bishop of Roskilde, instituted the holiday in 1686, along with three other religious holidays, at the behest of three other religious leaders. The reduction of public holidays was intended to reduce the number of days on which the public was required to devote time to the church. Prior to the Protestant Reformation, there were 22 sacred days per year.
The General Prayer Day honours Danish traditions. As a nation that endured a complete reorientation of religious allegiance and the reformation period in the 18th century, the Danes distinguish themselves from other Christian-majority nations.
General Prayer Day is one of Denmark’s sacred days. To ensure the sobriety of the entire nation the following day, hotels and callers are compelled to stop selling alcohol on the eve of the celebration. Christians observe a fast until the conclusion of the religious service. On the eve of the commemoration, church bells are rung in unison across the nation. In remembrance of the young lives lost during the Siege of Copenhagen in 1659, the streets of the Danish capital are filled with locals attired in the colours of spring who are taking a promenade along the famous Langelinie waterfront. Shortly after the conclusion of the public celebration, people will return home to enjoy varme hveder, a small square-shaped wheat bun.
HOW TO OBSERVE DAY OF GENERAL PRAYER
Attend church
General Prayer Day is one of the most significant Danish festivals. The day begins with a mass at the Church, and in the cities, local leaders conduct the prayer. Join the congregation in spirit by spending the morning at the church.
Take a walk through the park
Danish citizens depart their homes as the sun sets to commemorate the lives lost in the 1659 attack on Copenhagen. As a tribute to the fallen defenders of the capital, the citizens extend their arms and breathe in the fresh air, remembering those who paid the steep price for Denmark’s independence in blood.
Bake varme hveder
Add a Danish twist to your evening meal with varme hveder, the famous Danish bread. Varme hveder is a soft wheat bread that was traditionally prepared at home on General Prayer Day, when most stores were closed.
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5 CLASSIC DANISH TRADITIONS OBSERVED ON THIS DAY
A fast until the sun rises
The Danes typically observe a fast beginning on the eve of the Day of General Prayer.
Homeward bound
The natives are encouraged to remain in the country and refrain from travelling abroad.
No games, no wager
People refrain from gambling and other frivolous activities.
Buy a bun day
The natives purchase and consume cardamom-infused round pastries (varme hveder) to break their fast the day after the General Prayer Day.
Don’t imbibe while celebrating
The public abstains from drinking after 6 p.m. in order to arrive at worship sober.
WHY THIS DAY IS IMPORTANT
It recognises ancient customs
The consolidation of more than a dozen Christian observances and traditional Danish holidays into one celebration is an opportunity to recognise the significance of ancient traditions and how they have contributed to the development of Denmark into the nation it is today. In addition to being a triumph of Christian conservatism, the holiday endeavours to recognise the significance of adhering to traditions.
It brings together the generations
On General Prayer Day, there are activities for everyone. The elder generations choose to spend time in the church, while the younger generations are asked to take a stroll outside to commemorate the Copenhagen attack victims. Families gather at the end of the day to feast on varme hveder and celebrate the holiday.
It’s a summer pledge.
In Denmark, General Prayer Day commemorates the end of spring. People discard their dungarees and replace them with lighter attire for the remainder of the season. While most Christian nations wind up their celebrations after Easter, the Danes still have something to look forward to: General Prayer Day.
GENERAL PRAYER DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | May 13 | Friday |
| 2023 | May 5 | Friday |
| 2024 | May 26 | Sunday |
| 2025 | May 16 | Friday |
| 2026 | May 1 | Friday |
