These are the opening words of a church song translated by Gustav Haller (1871-1947). In those times the life rhythm of wanderers and wayfarers was completely different of that of today's tourists-wayfarers. Moving was slower and more complicated, in those days travellers had to make more stops on their long routes, to rest and gather strength for covering the stretch of road ahead. This allowed them to look around in the surroundings during the stops. Churches, post stations and overnighting places were seen as waymarks and places to rest and measure time. The wayfarer had more time to see life and its connections; to contemplate over it and draw one's own conclusions. To perceive oneself and one's closest in the light and meaning of eternity.
Nowadays in our daily life we are certainly in need of such moments of rest. No so much for practical reasons to rest one's feet but to stop consciously and ask: where am I going and how?
Churches open in Estonia offer you a good possibility for that. You can experience and admire the handiwork and power of mind of previous generations. You can get acquainted with the congregation's activity today and direct your thoughts to the future. Valuate for oneself the terms "temporal and timeless".
In Estonian there is a beautiful word for churches, "sacred chamber", expressing the sacredness of the building and its singularity among other buildings. Wayfarer, when entering the church, you can have part of the church's blessing and obtain strength from God, just like the ancient pilgrims. Welcome to the open church.

Bishop Einar Soone
President of the Estonian Council of Churches

06.05.2002