Lüdovicus and the Vodan oak tree - Halle

When the young priest Lüdovicus was commissioned by the missionary Liudger to found a chapel in the still rugged area of Zelhem in the year 800, he got lost. On the way, he came across a huge oak tree. So big that Lüdovicus knew right away that this was a famous Vodan oak. Vodan oaks were preferred to be cut down in those days, because Christians saw the trees as signs of pagan rituals. Moreover, it was said to be a place where White Wives came to bother you. Lüdovicus therefore wanted to cut down the tree too, but first he would rest under the tree from his long walk.

He heard the leaves rustling, the sound sounding louder and louder and more and more like unfamiliar voices. Still those White Wives? Lüdovicus was going crazy. So mad, in fact, that he wanted to drive the voices away by giving a hefty blow with his axe. He lashed out and the axe landed forcefully in the trunk of the oak tree. Suddenly it became windless, the voices and mist disappeared. The sky broke open and bolts of lightning shot down. Lüdovicus tried to retrieve the axe from the tree, but was blown away by violent winds each time. He was frightened and called on the patron saint of his hometown, Saint Lambert. To his surprise and happiness, Lambert appeared before him and gave him the strength to pull the axe from the tree. The storm subsided and the black clouds disappeared.

Saint Lambert gave Lüdovicus a staff and said ‘Follow the staff’. The next morning, the staff had three leaves on it that stubbornly kept pointing in one direction no matter how you held it. Lüdovicus was lost. The leaves showed him the way! And so he finally arrived at the right place to build the chapel. When missionary Liudger came to consecrate the chapel, he asked Lüdovicus to whom the chapel should be dedicated. ‘To Saint Lambert,’ the priest said decisively. And so it was done.

This is how the Lambert church in Zelhem got its name.