At the height of the Bubonic plague, the small Bavarian town of Oberammergau made a pledge in 1633, if God spared their village that it would hold a Passion play every 10 years.

Though Passion plays were common in the 16th and 17th century, towns have quit performing them long ago. Only the people of Oberammergau continued faithfully performing it every ten years. Pastor Thomas Groener believe this is the reason the town has yet to record a case of COVID-19.

Ironically, the play was scheduled for this year, but has been postponed for two years because of the pandemic.

READ: Bavarian town’s 17th century vow has spared it from coronavirus, pastor says