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Jul 27, 916
Clement of Ohrid Was Laid in the Earth
The grief at St. Pantaleimonth's Monastery was deep. On this day, July 27, 916, the founder of their monastery was to be laid to rest. All recognized that a mighty man had passed from among them.
Clement of Ohrid (in what is now the Republic of Macedonia) had died just a few days earlier. With his passing went a link to the heroic age of Cyril and Methodius, Apostles to the Slavs. -
Jun 24, 963
Roman Synod Deposed Pope John XII
Things did not look good for Pope John XII in the winter of 963. The corrupt young man had become pope through the influence of his father, Alberic, ruler of Rome. Before his death, Alberic made civic leaders swear at St. Peter's altar that they would make his son Octavius pope at the first vacancy. -
Apr 14, 1053
Schism between East and West Began
The division of the Roman Empire into halves was eventually echoed in the church. The break came when Michael Cerularius was Patriarch of Constantinople and St. Leo pope in Rome. In 1053, Cerularius circulated a treatise criticizing in strong terms the practices of the Western church. Catholics did not allow their clergy to marry. -
Sep 28, 1066
William Conquered England and Its Church
When William the Conqueror landed in England on this day, September 28, 1066, his invasion had the approval of Pope Alexander II who gave him a banner to crusade under. Its repercussions on the church in England were enormous, going far beyond the stone architecture of the great Norman cathedrals that we still admire. -
Mar 11, 1095
Rockingham Council Cut Anselm
On this day, March 11, 1095, the bishops and nobles met in Rockingham. The king maneuvered behind the scenes. Anselm himself addressed the assembly. "My brethren, Sons of the Church of God, for so I call all you who are assembled here in the name of the Lord, please pay attention and on the question which you have been convened to discuss give to the best of your ability the help of your considered opinion." -
Mar 5, 1179
New Procedure for Electing Popes
From his own sharp experience, Alexander saw that better rules for the elections of popes were needed. And so, in time-honored fashion, he called a council. This was the eleventh ecumenical council (by Roman Catholic count) and took place at the church of St. John Lateran III in Rome. Consequently it is called Lateran III to distinguish it from four other councils held there. The council opened its first session on March 5, 1179. -
Oct 2, 1187
Saladin Captured Jerusalem
On this day, October 2, 1187, the Muslim general captured the holy city. Muslims immediately clambered up and removed the cross that the Crusaders had mounted on the cupola of the Dome of the Rock. According to an eyewitness, the combined roar of the Muslims shouting "Allah is greatest!" and the groans of the defeated Crusaders, watching the fall of their sacred symbol, was so loud it shook the ground.
