Pfarrkirche Schweiggers

Information about the church

The market town of Schweiggers lies in a valley basin of the German Thaya. Albero von Kuenring (ca. 1137-1182) founded the village, which is first documented as Swichers in 1180. The place name goes back to the Old High German personal name Swicher (or Swiger, Suidger).

The parish church of St. Ägyd is documented as early as 1157 and goes back to a foundation by Albero von Kuenring. The church, dedicated to St. Ägidius, is situated on a hill above the Thaya to the northwest of the market square. The late Romanesque east tower church was extended by a Gothic choir around 1430 and the Romanesque nave was converted into a three-aisled hall. The unique Romanesque baptismal font (1180/1200) dates from the Romanesque period: a massive hemispherical bowl resting on four stylized lions with small demon heads underneath.

In 1217, the Kuenringer Hadmar II gave his daughter Gisela the parish and market town of Schweiggers on the occasion of her marriage to Ulrich von Falkenberg. Her son Albero takes the name of his wife (Gertrud von Buchberg) or his father-in-law. In 1319, the Buchberg family sold the property to Zwettl Abbey, to which the parish is still assigned for pastoral care today.

Treat yourself

St. Ägidius, patron saint of Schweiggers parish church, also known as St. Ägyd, was a hermit and abbot who lived in the 7th and 8th centuries. He is one of the fourteen emergency helpers and patron saint of the sick, beggars and nursing mothers.

The life of St. Ägidius

According to legend, St. Aegidius was born in Athens and lived a life of great piety and modesty. After donating his possessions to the poor, he moved to the south of France, where he lived as a hermit in the wilderness. His life of solitude was characterized by prayer, meditation and the renunciation of worldly wealth.

According to a well-known legend, Aegidius lived in a cave and was fed by a hind that provided him with its milk. This hind was later pursued by hunters of the Visigoth king Wamba, who discovered Aegidius while he was protecting the animal. Impressed by his piety, the king supported him and made it possible to build a monastery, where Aegidius later became abbot. The monastery became an important center of faith and pilgrimage.

"Treat yourself to yourself"

"Treat yourself" in connection with St. Ägidius can be understood as an invitation to let go of external demands and possessions in order to find inner peace and a deeper connection to God. St. Ägidius' life as a hermit is an impressive example of how consciously withdrawing into the silence and simplicity of life creates space to encounter oneself and focus entirely on the divine.

His decision to live in the wilderness, far away from the distractions and temptations of the world, shows the importance of inner contemplation and self-reflection. By allowing himself the time and space to pray and meditate in solitude, Aegidius found a deep spiritual fulfillment that made him a model of Christian humility and modesty.

Conclusion

"Indulge yourself" in connection with St. Ägidius means consciously withdrawing into silence and simplicity in order to find inner peace and spiritual clarity. Aegidius' life as a hermit and his dedication to prayer and meditation teach us that true spiritual fulfillment is often found in humility and letting go of the outside world. In a time when we can be overwhelmed by material desires and external demands, St. Egidius' example reminds us that it is important to allow ourselves time to nourish our souls and focus on what matters most - our relationship with God and the inner purity of our hearts.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)

This biblical passage fits well with the way of life of St. Egidius, who achieved a special closeness to God through his purity of heart and his devotion to the simple, God-pleasing life. It is a reminder that withdrawing from external distractions and cultivating a pure, focused heart can lead to deeper spiritual insight.