Christian History Almanac

On this day, we remember two Reformation figures, Kaspar Olevianus b. 1536 and Phillip Nicolai b. 1556. The reading is a poem turned hymn by Nicolai, "How Bright the Morning Star." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember two martyrs under Nazi Germany, Edith Stein and Franz Jagerstetter. Our reading is about another martyr, "St. Stephen" by Malcolm Guite. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the "Robber" Ecumenical council at Ephesus in 449 and the banishment of Roger Williams in 1635. Our reading is a poem by Mary Bowley Peters, "All Must Be Well." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, Pope John XXII of Avignon was elected in 1366, and Frank Buchman, a founder of the Oxford Group, died in 1961. Our reading is by Cliff Ashby, "A Stranger in this Land." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

In 1801, on this day, was arguably the most significant Christian event in US history, the Cane Ridge Revival. But also on this day, five years later, the Holy Roman Empire was disbanded. Our reading is "The Contrite Heart" by William Cowper. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the northern renaissance 16th-century artists Dürer, Cranach, and Grunewald. Today is also the 85th birthday of poet Wendell Berry, born in 1934. Our reading is his poem, "Enemies." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

In just over five minutes, we learn of the Papal encyclical Aeterni Patris from 1879, we remember missionary James Chalmers, born on this day in 1841, and we hear our reading "A Word Made Flesh is Seldom" by Emily Dickinson. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember Rochester native Augustus Strong, born 1836, and we remember the death of Alexander Solzhenitsyn in 2008. Our reading is from James Macualey, "In the Twentieth Century." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the treaty at Nuremberg of 1532 and also the 16th century St. Basil, fool for Christ. Our reading is from Mustapha by Fulke Grenville. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the death of Queen Anne in 1714, known as the Protestant Passover. We also remember Andrew Melville, born in 1545. Our reading is "His Metrical Prayer" by James Graham. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day in 1541, the failed conference in Regensburg seeking reconciliation between Rome and the Lutherans ended. And on this day 1970, the New American Standard Bible translation was released. Our reading is from Martin Luther from his "Sermons on the Gospel of St. John." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember Robert Barnes, the English reformer who also studied in Wittenberg. We also remember the endorsement of "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the US in 1956. Our reading is by AE Housman, "Easter Hymn." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the feast of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha of Bethany. On this day in 1793, the Bethel American Methodist Episcopal church was dedicated. Our reading is "Blind Bartimaeus" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember J.S. Bach, who died in 1750. We also remember Jesuit priest and preeminent posthumous poet G.M. Hopkins. Our reading is "Pied Beauty" by G.M. Hopkins. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

We remember The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, whose rarely recognized feast is today. On this day, notable Anglican and evangelical John Stott died in 2011. Our reading is from Stott, "the Cross of Christ." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the death of William Jennings Bryan. It is also the feast of Jesus' grandparents, Anne and Joachim. Our reading is from Steve Brown, "Radical Grace." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

Today is the feast of St. James the Greater, son of Zebedee and brother to John. Today is also the day that Thomas A Kempis died in 1471. Our reading is "The Kingdom of Heaven Compared to a Mustard Seed" by Christopher Smart. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the birthday of once slaveowner and later abolitionist John Newton, and also the death of C.I. Scofield, famous for his reference Bible. Our reading is "The Old Testament Gospel" by William Cowper. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we recognize the feast of St. Bridget of Sweden. We also remember John Day, 16th century English printer, who died in 1583. Our reading is by George MacDonald, "The Holy Thing." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

Today is the feast day for St. Mary Magdalene, the apostle to the Apostles. We also remember the death of Richard Cameron, leader of the Covenanters. Our reading is an excerpt from Robert Farrar Capon's "Between Noon and Three." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember Kazimierz Swiatek, the cardinal who defied Stalin and who died in 2011. We also recognize the Roman Catholic encyclical of 1773, "Dominus Ac Redemptor," which banned the Jesuits. Our reading is "Christ's Childhood" by a Jesuit, Robert Southwell. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

We remember on this day the death in 1566 of De las Casas, the original Renaissance man, and the birth in 1304 of Petrarch, the apostle to the Indies. Our reading is "Holy Sonnets: Death, be not proud" by John Donne. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends, and Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade. Our reading is "Hope" by Ann Brönte. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

Today is the birthday of Heinrich Bullinger, b. 1504 and author of the Second Helvetic Confession. It is also the birthday of Renaissance painter Carravagio, b.1571. Our reading is "Before the Beginning" by Christina Rossetti. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

Today we remember the death in 180AD of the earliest recorded African Christians, the Scillitan Martyrs. Today is also the birthday of J. Vernon McGee, host of "Through the Bible." Our reading is "A Prayer in Old Age" by Siegfried Sassoon. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day in 1054, the churches of East and West experience the Great Schism. Luther and Karlstadt attempted to breach the schism between Rome and Wittenberg with the Leipzig Disputation in 1519. Our reading is from Alfred Lord Tennyson, "In Memoriam Canto 49." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

We remember St. Bonaventure, contemporary of Thomas Aquinas, who died on this day in 1274. We also remember the Arabic translator of the Bible, Abraham Ecchelensis, who died in 1664. Our reading "My Baptismal Birthday" by Samuel Tayler Coleridge. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day in 1833, John Keble busted onto the preaching scene for the first time. And we remember Lily of the Mohawks who was canonized by the Roman Catholic church. Our reading is from John Keble, "Morning Hymn." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

We remember John Dee, an aspiring magician born on this day in 1527. We also remember the vision of Fatima purportedly on this day in 1917. Our reading is "Anthem" by W.H. Auden. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember The Golden Bull of 1356, which is a lot cooler than it sounds, and Thomas Kelly, born on this day in 1769. Our reading is Kelly's "We SIng the Praise of He Who Died." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the Wittenberg Articles of 1536, a failed attempt at a common confession for the churches of the Reformation. Today is also the feast day for St. Gangolf, who died on this day in 760. Our reading is from Charitee Lees Smith, "The Advocate," published in 1863. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the birthday of Sampson Sievers, an icon of 20th century Russian Orthodoxy, and the death of Hebrew scholar Clement Clarke Moore in 1863. Our reading is an excerpt from Gerhard Forde's article "Radical Lutheranism." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the birthday of arch-heretic Nestorius in 386 and the death day of Stephen Langton in 1228. Our reading is "I Greet Thee Who My Sure Redeemer Art" by John Calvin. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was first preached by Jonathan Edwards. Today is also the feast of St. Killian, celebrated by Irish and German alike. Our reading is a selection from "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

We remember the ecumenical efforts of Athenagoras I, who died on this day in 1972, and the Treaty of Nemours in 1585, which had a less ecumenical result. Our reading is "Recitation" by Cairns. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day we remember the feast day of Sir Thomas More. We also remember co-founder of Fuller Seminary, Harold Ockenga, born on this day in 1905. Our reading is "A Better Resurrection" by Rossetti. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day we remember saints Cyril and Methodius and the Decree of Union in 1439. Our reading is "Jesus of the Scars" by Shillito. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

Today is the day for the first saint, Ulrich, d. 993. We also remember church musician, William Byrd, d. 1623. Our reading is by Bonnie Thurston titled "Peniel." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

Today is the feast day for the apostle Thomas, also known as Didymus. We remember the Council of Orange in 529. Our reading is "O Gracious Shepherd" by Henry Constable. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we celebrate the feast of the Visitation and the birthday in 1489 of Thomas Cranmer, English reformer. Our reading is from Brennan Manning's "The Ragamuffin Gospel." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day we remember the death of the first Protestant martyrs, Johann Esch and Heinrich Voes, in 1523. Today is also the feast of Junipero Serra, the apostle to California. Our reading is "The Balled of the God Makers" by Chesterton. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day we remember the debate over the theory of evolution, held in Oxford in 1860. Also, on this day in 1712, William Penn of Penn's Sylvania died. Our reading is "That Nature is a Heraclitean Fire and the Hope of the Resurrection" by Hopkins. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we celebrate the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. We remember the arrival in the colonies their first two pastors, Skelton and Higginson. Our reading is "St. Peter" by Malcolm Guite. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day we celebrate the feast day of Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons. We remember the death of Primoz Trubar, reformer, in 1586. Ou reading is from Augustine's "Confessions." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we celebrate the feast day of Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, and remember the death of James Moffatt, translator of the Bible. Our reading is "He Dies, The Friend of Sinners Dies" by Isaac Watts. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember Pearl S. Buck, missionary to China, and Philip Doddridge, English theologian. Our reading is "And will the Judge Descend" by Doddridge. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we commemorate the presentation of the Augsburg Confession, drafted by Philip Melanchthon. We remember on this day the opening of the monastery in Clairvaux by Bernard. Our reading is the poem "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" by Bernard, transformed into hymn form by Gerhardt, and translated by Alexander. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day we remember the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and the birthday of Henry Ward Beecher in 1813. Our reading is "Psalm 23" by Fr. John-Julian. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day, we remember the fabled treaty between the Quakers led by William Penn and the Delaware tribe. We also recognize another treaty in Vienna in 1606 between the various Reformation churches and Rome. Our reading is "Through The Body" by Kamienska. We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.

On this day we remember the commemoration of John Fisher, bishop of Rochester and chancellor of the University of Cambridge, and the birthday of Ebenezer Erskine, member of the order of Free Gardeners. Our reading is from Ralph Erskine, brother of Ebenezer, "The Law and the Gospel." We're proud to be part of 1517 Podcasts, a network of shows dedicated to delivering Christ-centered content. Our podcasts cover a multitude of content, from Christian doctrine, apologetics, cultural engagement, and powerful preaching. Support the work of 1517 today.