Historical Writings

Death of controversial Pope Liberius who seems to have been restored from exile only after swearing to a heretical Arian creed.

Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury, opens the Synod of Hertford, the first council representing the whole English church. Five bishops are in attendance.

The Second Nicene Council opened under Pope Hadrian I. Numbered by some as the 7th of the church's 21 ecumenical councils, Nicea II condemned iconoclasm (belief that the veneration of Christian images and relics is idolatry).

Emperor Isaac Comnenus, on a mission against the barbarians along the Danube, has a narrow escape during a terrific storm. He had taken shelter under a giant oak but suddenly felt compelled to move. Moments later the wind tore the tree out by its roots. In gratitude he will rebuild the Church of Thekla upon his return to Constantinople.

Pastor George Weiss leads a group of Schwenkfelders in a thanksgiving service for their safe passage from Europe and for their new home in Pennsylvania.

Ten Orthodox monks arrive at Kodiak, Alaska, to establish a mission among the natives.

Catherine McAulay founds New Order of Sisters of Mercy in Ireland, which opens in Dublin to teach poor and homeless mothers.

Death of Henry H. Milman, Anglican clergyman and scholar. He had also been a poet and historian who wrote thirteen hymns, including the Easter song, "Ride On! Ride On in Majesty."

In Holland, the Declaration of Utrecht was signed and became the doctrinal basis of the Old Catholic Church. ("Old Catholics" reject clerical celibacy, papal authority and the Council of Trent decisions.) Today in Europe, Old Catholics are active in Holland, Germany and Switzerland.

The General Council of the Assemblies of God ordains Francisco Olazábal. Five years later he will form the Latin American Council of Christian Churches, the first independent Latino Pentecostal denomination in the United States.

Death of A.T. Robertson, educator, soul-winner, inner-city preacher, and author of a monumental New Testament grammar.

Death of Silouan of Athos, an uneducated Russian monk and ascetic who had become famous for his spiritual counsel, prayer, and love of enemies.

Death of Juji Nakada, a Japanese evangelist. At his invitation, Charles and Lettie Cowman of the US established a Bible Institute in Japan. He also inspired the formation of the Wesleyan-tradition OMS (Oriental Missionary Society - now One Mission Society).

In Minneapolis-St. Paul, a congregation of worshipers was organized into the first Southern Baptist church to be established in Minnesota.

Rev. John T. Walker was installed as the sixth -- and first African American -- bishop of the Episcopal diocese in Washington, D.C.

Five Muslim professors confront Daniel Scot in Pakistan, demanding he convert to Islam - commencing a persecution that will result in him becoming the first Christian charged under Pakistan's blasphemy law.

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts elected Barbara C. Harris, 58, as a suffragen (assistant) bishop, making her the first woman to be so ordained in the Anglican communion.