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17

Love-feast

Zinzendorf brought back the habit of drinking tea from England and it became part of one of the ceremonies held by the Herrnhut community that does not follow a particular liturgy. Brothers and sisters meet at irregular intervals for a so-called love-feast. The singing of spiritual songs alternates with reports, greetings and brief speeches as well as – after funerals – with mementos of the deceased. Servants of love, usually a couple, serve tea to the participants; traditionally the man pours the tea while the woman holds the cup. Scones are served with the tea. Zinzendorf, however, emphasised that worldly nourishment was not the main focus of this tradition.