JANUARY 13
GEORGE FOX, RENEWER OF SOCIETY, died 1691
Fox (1624 – 1691), was founder of the Society of Friends, nicknamed the Quakers. In 1643 he experienced a call to forsake all ties to the world and base his life on the inner light of the living Christ. He began to preach trust in this inner voice of Christ and endured persecution. He helped begin the abolitionist movement to free all slaves in England. Fox’s friend, William Penn, founded the colony of Pennsylvania and helped advocate the right to freedom of religion – a concept preserved in the American Constitution.
JANUARY 14
EIVIND BERGGRAV, BISHOP AND TEACHER, died 1959
Berggrav (1884 – 1959), served as Lutheran Bishop of Norway and helped found the global Lutheran World Federation, some 72 million Lutheran Christians as of 2014. He was a steadfast opponent of Nazism and also a leader in the ecumenical movement among Christian churches in the 20th century.
JANUARY 15
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., RENEWER OF SOCIETY, MARTYR, died 1968
King (1929 – 1968), was a Baptist minister who advocated civil rights for blacks in the American civil rights movement. Influenced by the peaceful civil disobedience of David Thoreau and Gandhi, King strived for social change using non-violence. He wrote, “We will not resort to violence. We will not degrade ourselves with hatred. Love will be returned for hate.” He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and was assassinated in 1967.
JANUARY 17
ANTONY OF EGYPT, RENEWER OF THE CHURCH, died around 356
Antony (251 – 356), gave away his sizable inheritance to the poor and became a hermit, the classic representative of the “desert fathers” in the early Church. He is regarded as the founder of Christian monasticism because he gathered hermits into communities. Antony was highly regarded for his wisdom and integrity. His biography, the Life of Antony, was written by Athanasius who knew him personally and is a spiritual classic.
JANUARY 17
PACHOMIUS, RENEWER OF THE CHURCH, died 346
Born in Egypt, Pachomius became a Christian while a soldier. He became a hermit (a solitary monk) and organized others into a religious community. His rule for monasteries influenced later ones in both the Eastern and Western churches.
JANUARY 18
THE CONFESSION OF ST. PETER
This day celebrates the confession of Peter that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (read Matthew 16:13 – 20). This festival marks the week of prayer for Christian unity.
JANUARY 19
HENRY, MISSIONARY and MARTYR, died 1156
Henry, born in the early twelfth century, became bishop of Sweden in 1152 where he worked to spread the Gospel. He joined King Erik IX on his crusade in Finland and, after the crusade, stayed to organize the church. Henry was martyred by pagans during his ministry in Finland.
JANUARY 20
SARAH
Sarah was the wife (and half-sister) of the Hebrew patriarch Abraham (Genesis 11:29; 20:12). In obedience to divine command (Genesis 12:1), she made the long and arduous journey west, along with her husband and his relatives, from Ur of the Chaldees to Haran and then finally to the land of Canaan. She remained childless until old age. Then in keeping with God’s long-standing promise, she gave birth to a son and heir of the covenant (Genesis 21:1 – 3). She is remembered and honored as the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac, the second of the three patriarchs. She is also favorably noted for her hospitality to strangers (Genesis 18:1 – 8). Following her death at the age of 127, she was laid to rest in the Cave of Machpelah (Genesis 49:13), where her husband was later buried.
JANUARY 21
AGNES, MARTYR
Agnes, around 304, was a girl of thirteen who refused marriage to a pagan because of her dedication to Christ. The Church at the time was enduring the persecution of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Ultimately she chose death over the forced marriage remaining a virgin for Christ. It is said that her execution shocked many in Rome and helped bring an end to the Roman persecutions.
JANUARY 24
TIMOTHY, PASTOR AND CONFESSOR
Timothy accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey and served at Thessalonia (read 1 Thessalonians 3:2) and Corinth (read 1 Corinthians 4:17). He was later with Paul at Rome and became the first Bishop of Ephesus where he was martyred in 97 AD. Two epistles are addressed to Timothy by Paul, part of the Pastoral Epistles, which describe the governance of the early churches.
JANUARY 25
THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL
The conversion of Paul is found at Acts 9:1 – 22 and Galatians 1:11 – 16. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, went on to write much of the New Testament. This observance closes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
JANUARY 26
TIMOTHY, TITUS, SILAS
Titus joined Paul at the apostolic council at Jerusalem (read Galatians 2:1, Acts 15). He became bishop of Crete. The Epistle to Titus rounds out the collection known as the Pastoral Epistles in the New Testament. On the two days following the celebration of the Conversion of Paul, his companions are remembered. Timothy, Titus, and Silas were missionary coworkers with Paul.
JANUARY 27
LYDIA, DORCAS, AND PHOEBE
Lydia, Paul’s first convert in Thyatira (read Acts 16:11 – 40), Dorcas, helper of the poor (read Acts 9:36 – 43), and Phoebe, a leader in Rome (read Romans 16:1 – 2) were all women leaders in the early churches recorded in the New Testament.
JANUARY 28
THOMAS AQUINAS
Thomas Aquinas was a brilliant and creative theologian who immersed himself in the thought of Aristotle and worked to explain Christian beliefs in the philosophical culture of the day.
FEBRUARY 2
THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD
The presentation of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem by His parents (read Luke 2:22 – 40), is celebrated on this day. Traditionally this was the day for a candlelight Service to bless all the candles to be used in the church for the coming year.
FEBRUARY 3
ANSGAR, MISSIONARY, died 865
Ansgar (801 – 865) was the first missionary to northwestern Europe. He began in Denmark in 826 with limited success. In 829 he went to Sweden and in Birka built the first church in Scandinavia. In 831 he was consecrated Bishop of Hamburg and courageously shared the Gospel in northern Germany and Scandinavia for thirteen years. In 845 the Vikings destroyed Hamburg and many converts fell back to paganism. Ansgar patiently continued to proclaim Christ but with small success in terms of numbers. At his death in 865 a few disciples carried on the work yet widespread mission was not to resume for three centuries.
FEBRUARY 5
THE MARTYRS OF JAPAN
In the sixteenth century, Jesuit missionaries, followed by Franciscans, introduced the Christian faith in Japan. By 1630, Christianity was driven underground. This day commemorates the first martyrs of Japan, twenty-six missionaries and converts, who were killed by crucifixion.
FEBRUARY 5
JACOB
Jacob, one of the great patriarchs of Israel, was the younger of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. After wrestling with the Angel of the LORD, Jacob whose name means “deceiver” was renamed Israel which means “he strives with God” (Read Genesis 25:26; 32:28). His family life was filled with trouble, caused by his acts of deception towards his father and his brother, Esau, and his favoritism towards his son Joseph. Much of Jacob’s life he knew grief with the death of his beloved wife Rachel and the presumed death of Joseph, who ended up saving the family by God’s hand bringing them to Egypt. Prior to Jacob’s death, through the blessing of his sons, God gave the promise that the Messiah would come through the line of Jacob’s fourth son, Judah (read Genesis 49).
FEBRUARY 10
SILAS
Silas was a leader in the church at Jerusalem who was sent with Paul to tell the church in Antioch of the decision of the Jerusalem Council receiving Gentile Christians by faith in Christ and not circumcision. Paul chose Silas to replace John Mark on the second missionary journey when Mark and Barnabas left, and so Silas was one of the first Christian missionaries on the continent of Europe. Paul and Silas were imprisoned together at Philippi, and Silas was with Paul during the riot at Thessalonica. Silas was sent to Beroea and rejoined Paul at Corinth. Silas may be Silvanus who delivered 1 Peter (read 5:12) and tradition states that he was bishop of Corinth.
FEBRUARY 13
AQUILLA, PRISCILLA, APOLLOS
Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, traveled widely sharing the gospel of Christ. Because of persecution in Rome, they went to Corinth, where they met the apostle Paul, who joined them in their trade of tentmaking (read Acts 18:1 – 3). The couple later traveled with Paul in his mission to Ephesus (read Acts 18:18), where the two of them established a home that served as hospitality headquarters for new converts to the faith. Apollos was one of their numerous Jewish converts. An eloquent speaker, Apollos traveled from Corinth to Achaia sharing the gospel with many.
FEBRUARY 14
VALENTINE, MARTYR
A physician and priest living in Rome during the rule of Emperor Claudius, Valentine became one of the noted martyrs of the third century, occurring in 270 AD. Tradition suggests that Valentine left a note of encouragement for a child of his jailer written on an irregularly shaped piece of paper. This greeting became a pattern for millions of written expressions of love and caring that now are part of Valentine’s Day in many nations.
FEBRUARY 14
CYRIL AND METHODIUS, MONKS
These brothers from a noble family in Thessalonika in northeastern Greece were priests who are regarded as the founders of Slavic literature. Their work in preaching and worshiping in the language of the people is honored by Christians in both East and West.
FEBRUARY 15
PHILEMON AND ONESIMUS
Philemon was a prominent first century Christian who owned a slave named Onesimus. Somehow Onesimus came into contact with the apostle Paul while in prison (possibly Rome) and through Paul’s sharing of the gospel, he became a Christian. After confessing to the apostle that he was a runaway slave, Onesimus was encouraged by Paul to return to Philemon and be reconciled. The Epistle to Philemon relating this story was eventually included by the Church in the New Testament.
FEBRUARY 18
MARTIN LUTHER, TEACHER AND RENEWER OF THE CHURCH, died 1546
Luther (1483 – 1546) was an Augustinian monk who began the reform of the Church. Luther’s key insight from the Bible asserted that sinful human beings are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not by works. He translated the Bible and the liturgy into the common language and called for reform. Luther’s protests (hence the first Protestants) unintentionally led to Protestantism as a movement within the Church.
FEBRUARY 20
RASMUS JENSEN, PASTOR
Jensen, the first Lutheran pastor to North America, came in 1619 with an expedition sent by King Christian IV of Denmark. The expedition took possession of the Hudson Bay area, naming it Nova Dania. Within a few months most of the expedition died with only a few survivors returning to Denmark.
FEBRUARY 21
BILLY GRAHAM
Billy Graham was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 7, 1918. He was one of four children of William and Morrow Graham and grew up on a dairy farm. At 16, he attended a revival where he was converted by the sermons on sin. This began the journey to become, first, a pastor in the Southern Baptist Church, and then an evangelist focusing on young people and servicemen returning from World War II. In 1949, Graham served in the “Christ for Greater Los Angeles” revival, which rocketed the young evangelist to the national platform. He used the tools of mass media including radio, television, and newspaper articles for his evangelical work and eventually founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to continue the ministry. Graham’s Crusades partnered with many Protestant churches to spread the good news of Jesus Christ in over 185 nations. It is believed that Graham preached the message of Jesus to more people than anyone else in history. He also served with prayer and counsel to American Presidents from Eisenhower to Bush. Graham died at home in Montreat, North Carolina, on February 21, 2018.
FEBRUARY 23
POLYCARP, MARTYR
Polycarp, born 69AD, knew the Apostle John and helped spread the gospel of Jesus. He was arrested by pagans for refusing to renounce his faith and burned to death for Christ.
FEBRUARY 24
MATTHIAS, APOSTLE
Matthias was chosen by Lot to replace Judas Iscariot among the twelve apostles (read Acts 1:15 – 26). According to tradition, he spread the gospel of Jesus in Ethiopia and died a martyr.
FEBRUARY 25
ELIZABETH FEDDE, DEACONESS, died 1921
Fedde (1850 – 1921), was a Lutheran deaconess who helped the poor in New York, cared for Norwegian seamen in distress, and established the Deaconess House.
MARCH 1
GEORGE HERBERT, PRIEST AND POET, died 1633
Herbert (1593 – 1633) an Anglican priest wrote several favorite hymns such as “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” and “Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life.” His poems collected in the Temple and the Country Parson are classics of the English Language.
MARCH 1
JOHN AND CHARLES WESLEY, REFORMERS OF THE CHURCH
The Wesley brothers were reformers in the Anglican Church. In 1735, John and Charles both went to the Colony of Georgia. Their preaching against the slave trade alienated the colonists and, in 1736, they returned to England. On May 24, 1738, John heard a reading from Martin Luther’s Preface to Romans at a meeting on Aldersgate Street and had an intense experience of God’s grace. John spent the rest of his life in evangelistic work resulting in the Methodist movement. Charles remained faithful to the Anglican Church and was upset by John’s “illegal” ordinations. Charles wrote powerful hymns for the faith such as “Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing’, “Love Divine All Love’s Excelling”, and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”
MARCH 7
PERPETUA, MARTYR
In 202AD, the Roman Emperor Lucius outlawed conversions to Christ. Perpetua and other African converts were imprisoned, and after their baptism, were condemned to execution in the arena at Carthage. According to tradition, Perpetua and Felicity survived the wild beasts and were killed by the sword after sharing the kiss of peace in Christ.
MARCH 10
HARRIET TUBMAN AND SOJOURNER TRUTH, RENEWERS OF SOCIETY
Harriet Tubman (died 1913), born into slavery, helped about 300 others escape slavery until the institution was abolished in the United States. Sojourner Truth (died 1883), whose birth name was Isabella, was freed after slavery was abolished, and discerned a call to be a preacher and set out to share faith in Christ with others.
MARCH 12
GREGORY THE GREAT, BISHOP AND TEACHER, died 604AD
Gregory (540 – 604 AD) one of the greatest leaders of the 6th century was a bridge between the Roman and medieval worlds. He gave up worldly prestige to serve as the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), helping Rome survive plague, attacks from the Lombard’s after the collapse of civil authority, and the trials of famine. He helped standardize the Western Liturgy (the Holy Communion Service), developed Gregorian chant, and sent Augustine of Canterbury to spread the good news of Christ to Britain. Gregory considered his call as Pope to be a “servant to the servants of God.”
MARCH 17
PATRICK, MISSIONARY, died 461AD
Patrick (389 – 461AD) was born in Britain but was captured during a raid and made a slave of the Irish at age 16. After six years, he escaped returning home but God called him to go back to Ireland. In 432, Patrick returned founding churches and preaching the good news of Jesus to the Irish people. Patrick’s Confession is his testimony revealing God’s call to him to share the faith. Patrick is considered the apostle to the Irish.
MARCH 19
JOSEPH, THE GUARDIAN OF OUR LORD
The husband of the Virgin Mary was a carpenter who is portrayed in Scripture as a faithful man, a protector and provider for his wife and the Christ Child. Joseph is not mentioned in the adult life of Jesus and is believed to have died before the public ministry began.
MARCH 21
THOMAS CRANMER, BISHOP AND MARTYR
Cranmer’s lasting achievement is contributing to and overseeing the creation of the Book of Common Prayer, which remains (in revised form) the worship book of the Anglican Communion. He was burned at the stake under Queen Mary for his support of the Protestant Reformation.
MARCH 22
JONATHAN EDWARDS, TEACHER AND MISSIONARY, died 1757
After a powerful conversion experience to the way of Christ, Edwards (1703 – 1757), became an influential preacher, leading to widespread religious revival in the American northeast, mission work to Native Americans in Massachusetts, and serving as president of Princeton University.
MARCH 24
OSCAR ROMERO, BISHOP AND MARTYR
Romero was deeply concerned with injustices evident toward the poor and powerless in El Salvador, and worked forthrightly against political repression. He was assassinated while presiding at the Eucharist in a chapel near the cathedral in San Salvador.
MARCH 25
THE ANNUCIATION OF OUR LORD
This festival celebrates the angelic announcement to Mary of the coming birth of the Christ Child. The date is determined by Christmas, being exactly nine months before the festival of our Lord’s birth.
MARCH 29
HANS NIELSEN HAUGE, RENEWER OF THE CHURCH, died 1824
Hauge (1771 – 1824) had a mystical experience of the Lord that gave him peace and a call to preach the way of Christ to his “sleeping country” Norway. He advocated what he called “the living faith” which was a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus which transforms the believer’s life. As a lay preacher, Hauge was arrested several times and persecuted by his church. Nevertheless, he persisted emphasizing a person’s vocation as a service to God and urged his followers to remain faithful to the national church.
MARCH 31
JOSEPH
Joseph was the son of the patriarch Jacob and Rachel. The favorite son of his father, he incurred the jealousy of his older brothers, who sold him into slavery in Egypt and told their father he was dead (read Genesis 37). In Egypt he became the chief servant in the home of Potiphar, a military official. Because Joseph refused to commit adultery with his master’s wife, he was unjustly accused of attempted rape and thrown into jail (read Genesis 39). Years later, he interpreted dreams for Pharaoh, who then freed him from prison and placed him in charge of the entire country. When his brothers came from Canaan to Egypt in search of food, they did not recognize him. He eventually revealed his identity to them, forgave them, and invited both them and his father to live in Egypt. He is especially remembered and honored for his moral uprightness (read Genesis 39) and for his willingness to forgive his brothers (read Genesis 45 and 50).
MARCH 31
JOHN DONNE, POET, died 1631
After finishing his education at Oxford University, Donne seemed headed for a career in the English public service. But a series of circumstances led him into the ordained ministry. He is well known as a writer of both secular and sacred poetry.
