A historic German Christian church, specifically St. Mary's Church in Lübeck, hosted a pole dancing performance during an Advent event on Christmas Eve, which was confirmed by German media outlets such as n-tv and Bild.

The performance, part of an artistic event by the baroque music and performing arts association Passions Croisées, combined Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater with dance and pole dance acts, sparking significant debate.

While some praised the event as a bold artistic expression blending sensuality and spirituality, others criticized it as sacrilegious, reflecting broader tensions in post-Christian European cultural landscapes.

This incident echoes previous controversies, such as a similar pole dance performance in a French church that led to death threats against the priest, highlighting the sensitivity around dance in sacred spaces.