GERMANY 31 October 2008 Tree planting opens celebrations of 500th anniversary in 2017 of Martin Luther's Protestant reformation 

Churches around the world are to be asked to sponsor trees in a special Luther Garden in Wittenberg to mark the 500th anniversary in 2017 of Martin Luther's Protestant Reformation. The first of 500 trees -- for 500 years -- will be planted at the groundbreaking ceremony for the garden on Oct 31. Known as Reformation Day, it marks the day in 1517 when Luther is said to have nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg's castle church, which opened his breach with the Roman Catholic Church.

Luther is said to have seen trees as a sign of hope. The landscaping will be shaped like the Luther Rose, a symbol of Lutheranism that is based on the seal with which the Protestant reformer authenticated his correspondence.

Churches worldwide of many denominations will be approached to adopt one of the 500 trees planned for the Luther Garden and also to plant a tree themselves to denote a link with the birthplace of the Reformation. Jan/08

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Luther Gardens web
http://www.lutheranworld.org/Luthergarden.html