Historical Writings
Today in Christian History
Wednesday, April 17
326
Death of St. Alexander of Alexandria whose appointment as Patriarch of Alexandria ensures that the heretic Arius cannot fill the spot. Alexander treats Arius with consideration, but supports the orthodox position.
387
Baptism of Augustine of Hippo on Easter Eve. According to his writings, Italy observed Easter on the 18th that year. (Under the rules of the Council of Nicea it should have been observed April 25th.)
617
On a Sunday morning, Donnan and fifty-three other monks on the Hebrides Island of Eigg are massacred at the command of a Pictish queen.
1640
Reorus Torkillus, 41, from Sweden, landed at Fort Christie in Delaware, making him the first Lutheran pastor to arrive in North America.
1776
English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'You have now such faith as is necessary for your living unto God. As yet you are not called to die. When you are, you shall have faith for this also.'
1805
Repose (death) of Archbishop Makarius at the hermitage of St. Peter in Chios. Metropolitan of Corinth, he had been a mystic and a spiritual writer who sought to revive the Orthodox Church under Turkish rule.
1909
After celebrating Communion, missionary/pastor Willis Hoover resigns from his Methodist congregation in Valparaiso, Chile, declaring that he is separating, for reasons of conscience, from the organization of the church but not from Methodism. The following month he will become pastor of the newly-formed Pentecostal Methodist Church in Valparaiso.
1920
Birth of Robert G. Bratcher, principal translator of the American Bible Society's 1966-1976 "Good News Bible" (also known as "Today's English Version").
1947
Harold John Ockenga, Charles E. Fuller, and Wilbur Smith meet to discuss founding an evangelical seminary, one of the crucial meetings and contacts that leads to the establishment of Fuller Theological Seminary.
1960
Death of Lettie B. Cowman, pioneer missionary to Japan, co-founder of the Oriental Missionary Society (now OMS International), and author of the devotional Streams in the Desert.
Copyright Statement
© 1987-2020, William D. Blake. Portions used by permission of the author, from "Almanac of the Christian Church"
Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, January 20th, 2021
the Second Week after Epiphany
the Second Week after Epiphany
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