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Luther Legends and Anecdotes
'Driven into the monestary by lightning
Nailing of the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church
Throwing the inkwell
Emporer Carl at Luther's grave
Luther and trees
Luther in Worms
The times Luther lived in
Luther Time-line
People in Luther's environment
More Information

Legends about Luther: Lightning

"St. Anne Help me! I will become a monk."

The event which radically changed the course of Luther's life took place near Stotterheim on July 2, 1505. The happy go lucky law student was altered into a humble monk searching for God's grace.

Luther had recently completed a Master's degree and started his law studies at the University of Erfurt. He was on his way back to Erfurt after having visited his parents when he was caught in a terrible thunder storm a few hours outside of Erfurt. Lightning struck near him and he was thrown to the ground by the air pressure it created. At this moment he called to Saint Anne: "I will become a monk!"

Luther commented on this event later. It is assumed that he had played with the idea of becoming a monk even before the storm hit.

To his fathers disgust and anger, Luther honored his solemn promise; he had one last party with university friends on July 16 and the next day he entered the Black Monestary in Erfurt to become a monk.

Copyright(c) KDG Wittenberg 1997
Copyright(c) KDG Wittenberg 1997