Christian History Almanac

On this day, we remember St. John of Kronshtadt, born in 1829. And today is Reformation Day, particularly remembering Luther's 95 Theses. The reading is "Thunderstorm. Martin Luther, July 1505" by Marjorie Maddox.

We remember college founder and broadcaster Bob Jones Sr., born on this day in 1883. We also remember Christopher Wordsworth, historian, and bishop, born in 1807. The reading is "O Day of Rest and Gladness" by Christopher Wordsworth.

On this day, we remember archbishop and translator George Abbot, born in 1562, and Abraham Kuyper, the Calvinist theologian who also served as Dutch Prime Minister. The reading is from Cliff Ashby, "Latter Day Psalm #1."

On this day, we celebrate the feast day for St. Simon and St. Jude, and in 321 Constantine wins at Milvian. The reading is "How Sweet the Name of Jesus" by John Newton.

On this day in 1978, the New International Version of the Bible was published. Also on this day in 1746, Princeton College of New Jersey was chartered. The reading is "Contentment" by William Cowper.

On this day, we remember Laurentius Petri, whose translation of the Bible into Swedish helped bring the Reformation to Sweden. We also remember Mahalia Jackson, born in 1911, known as "The Queen of Gospel." The reading is "Prayer" by John Leax.

On this day, we remember the oft-forgotten John of Salisbury, who died on this day in 1180. Today is also the feast day for Tabitha, or Dorcas as she was known in Aramaic. The reading is "Dorcas" by George MacDonald.

On this day, the iconic cathedral at Chartres was dedicated in 1260. Also, on this day in 1648, the final treaties of the Peace of Westphalia were signed, ending the Thirty Years War. The reading is "The Agonie" by George Herbert.

Today we celebrate two feasts: the first of St. James, the brother of Jesus on the Lutheran calendar, and the second St. John of Capistrano, the soldier saint. The reading is from G.K. Chesterton, "A Hymn."

On this day, we celebrate the feast of All Saints', part of a three-day observance. On All Saints' Day In 1755 in Lisbon was an earthquake, with a fire that not even the resultant tsunami could extinguish. The reading is "The Last Beatitude" by Malcolm Guite.