Monday 23 November
800 – Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Pope Leo III
Monday 23 November
800 – Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Pope Leo III
1248 – Conquest of Seville by the Christian troops under King Ferdinand III of Castile
1867 – The Manchester Martyrs are hanged in Manchester, England for rescuing two Irish men from jail
Catholic Church – Pope Saint Clement I, Saint Columban, Blessed Miguel Pro, Saint Amphilocus, Saint Wilfretrudis, Saint Trudo, Saint Rachilidis
Anglican Church – Feast of Clement, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, c.100
Shinto – Niinamesei, Labour Thanksgiving Day
We The People’s Film Festival, 23 – 29 November, www.wethepeoples.org.uk/2009-festival / [email protected]
Estate Churches Day, Baptist Union, Mission Department, Revd Jack Walker, a one-day conference for Baptist ministers and their teams who are serving on estates, where they are dealing with complex social issues and deprivation, 10.30am – 3pm, Clevedon Baptist Church, North Somerset, 01235 517713 / [email protected]
Enough is Enough: Ethics and Finance after the Crisis in 2008, Church Action on Poverty, Oastler Centre, Leeds Church Institute, John Madeley, Toby Blume, 10am – 2pm, Leeds Church Institute, 20 New Market Street, Leeds LS1 6DG, 0113 245 4700 / [email protected]
Medical Progress and the Future of Humanity, LICC, John Wyatt, a discussion about how Christians and the world relate to the future, as well as the launch of the revised and updated edition of John Wyatt’s book, Matters of Life and Death, 6.45 – 8.30pm, LICC, Central London, St Peter’s Church, Vere Street, W1G 0DQ, 020 7399 9555 / [email protected]
Tuesday 24 November
1429 – Joan of Arc unsuccessfully besieged La Charité
1572 – Death of John Knox, Scottish reformer
1775 – Death of Lorenzo Ricci, Italian Jesuit leader
Catholic Church – Saint Colman of Cloyne, Saint Andrew Dun-Lac, Saint Chrysogonus, Saint Alexander, Saint Anthony Nam-QuynhSaint Marinus, Saint Romanus of Le Mans. Martyrs of the Dominican Order in Vietnam
Sikhism – Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Nanakshahi calendar), the ninth Sikh Guru
Escalating War in Afghanistan – Can Peace return to the Troubled Region? World Disarmament Campaign & Action for UN Renewal meeting, Bill Rammell MP, Bruce Kent, Dawood Azami, Peter Gilchrist, Vijay Mehta, 6.30pm, Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1, [email protected] / 020 7377 2111.
Darwin and God, the Gore Lecture, Nick Spencer, a discussion about Darwin’s religious thoughts and what we can learn from this most courteous and humane of scientists, 6.30pm, The Nave, Westminster Abbey, London, SW1P 3PA, +44 (0) 20 7222 5152 / [email protected]
Yezidism: The religion of angels, St Ethelburgas, Dr Khanna Omarkhali, a chance to learn about the religion of the Kurdish people, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate London, EC2N 4AG, +44 (0)20 7496 1610 / [email protected]
The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution, V&A Museum, Richard Dawkins, on the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of the Species”, Dawkins discusses his latest work, 7 – 8pm, Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London, +44 (0) 207 942 2000
To intervene or not to intervene? Ethical and religions reflections on military intervention for humanitarian purposes” The Wyndham Place Charlemagne Trust, Professor Nigel Biggar, the third seminar in its series exploring the issue of Humanitarian Intervention and the Responsibility to Protect from different angles, 6.45 pm, King’s College London (River Room), The Strand, WC2R 2LS, [email protected]
Volunteering: Tackling Homelessness, Changing Lives, Crisis, Housing Justice, Boris Johnson, an evening reception promoting and celebrating the role of volunteering in transforming the lives of homeless people, 6:30-9 pm, Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, SW1H 9NH, [email protected]
Wednesday 25 November
311 – Death of Peter of Alexandria, Christian martyr
1185 – Death of Pope Lucius III
1881 – Birth of Pope John XXIII
1917 – Birth of Luigi Cardinal Poggi, Archivist Emeritus of the Holy Roman Church
Catholic Church – Saint Catherine Laboure, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Alnoth, Saint Jucunda, Saint Mercurius, Saint Mesrop, Saint Moses
Anglican Church – Commemorations of Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century and Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer, 1748
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Peace Architecture – An Essential Element in Building Peace, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues, Paul van Tongeren, a discussion about how conflict prevention needs a ‘peace system’ within countries to sustain its chances of enduring success, www.conflictissues.org.uk
Darwin and God, The Gore Lecture, Nick Spencer, a lecture to coincide with the anniversary of publication of On the Origin of Species, tracing Darwin’s religious biography and asking what we can learn from this most courteous and humane of scientists, 6.15pm, Westminster Abbey, [email protected] / 020 7654 4823.
Just this Day, an annual day to remember to stop for just one moment and enjoy silence together, to go beyond nationality, religious difference or belief, and remember the still, silent presence where everything is united, 11am – 3pm, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate London, EC2N 4AG, +44 (0)20 7496 1610 / [email protected]
Thursday 26 November
399 – Death of Pope Siricius
1784 – The Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of the United States established
1858 – Birth of Katharine Drexel, Roman Catholic Saint
1864 – Birth of Edward Higgins, 3rd General of The Salvation Army
Catholic Church – Saint Conrad, Saint John Berchmans, Saint Alypius, Saint Amator, Saint Basolus, Saint Bellinus, Saint Dominic Doan Xuyen, Saint Leonard of Port Maurice, Saint Peter of Alexandria
Bahai – Day of the Covenant, celebrating the covenant of Baha’u’llah
Thanksgiving Day, America
Advent Vigil at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment, 1 – 2pm, Tadley Gate, Reading, 01865 241 290 / [email protected]
The Strange Rebirth of Liberalism, The Bentham Lecture 2009, British Humanist Association Richard Reeves, Jonathan Wolff, Peter Cave, 6.30 – 8pm, 20 Gordon Street (Christopher Ingold Building), Chemistry Lecture Theatre, University College London, WC1H 0AJ, 020 7079 3580 / [email protected]
The place of the Church of England in, and its contribution to the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, The Annual Constantinople Lecture, Rt Revd Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry, 5.30pm Orthodox Vespers, 6.00pm Lecture, 7.15–9.00pm Reception, The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom, Moscow Road, London W2 4LQ, [email protected] / 020 7248 6233
Friday 27 November
835 – Death of Muhammad at-Taqi, Shia Imam
1095 – Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont
1680 – Athanasius Kircher, German Jesuit scholar
1830 – St. Catherine Laboure experienced a vision of the Blessed Virgin standing on a globe, crushing the feet of a serpent, and eminating rays of light from her hands
1894 – Birth of Amphilochius of Pochayiv, Ukrainian Orthodox saint
2004 – Pope John Paul II returns the relics of Saint John Chrysostom to the Eastern Orthodox Church
Catholic Church – Saint Secundinus, Saint Acacius, Saint Acharius, Blessed Alexius Nakamura, Saint Apollinaris, Blessed Bartholomew Sheki, Saint Basileus and Companions
Islam – The Day of Arafat, the most important day in the Hajj ritual
The Archbishop of Canterbury visits the Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Kent, where he celebrates and preaches at the Founders Day Eucharist
Capitalism, Catholicism and community: Harmony or dissonance?, Pope Paul VI lecture, Baroness Williams, a discussion about he relationship between capitalism, Catholicism and community in our globalised world, 7.15pm, Emmanuel Centre, 9-23 Marsham Street, London SW1P 3DW, 02070955568 / [email protected] –
Saturday 28 November
741 – Death of Saint Gregory III
1095 – On the last day of the Council of Clermont, Pope Urban II appoints Bishop Adhemar of Le Puy and Count Raymond IV of Toulouse to lead the First Crusade to the Holy Land
1574 – Death of Georg Major, German Protestant theologian
1681 – Birth of Jean Cavalier, French Protestant rebel leader
1921 – Death of `Abdu’l-Bahá, Persian leader of the Bahá’í Faith
1999 – Nude swoardsman attacks church-goers in South London
Catholic Church – Saint Andrew Trong, Saint Valerian, Saint Fionnchu, Saint Hippolytus, Saint James Thompson, Saint Rufus and Companions, Saint Papinianus
Bahai – Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha, marking the death of the son of Baha’u’lláh
Islam – Eid-Ul-Adha, Festival of Sacrifice, marking the day after Arafat.
How to be merciful, St Ethelburgas, a workshop on applying the concept of mercy in everyday life.St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate London, EC2N 4AG, +44 (0)20 7496 1610 / [email protected]
Hope for the Holy Land, 5th Gospel Retreats, Reem Kelani, John Pontifex, Pat Gaffney, Bruce Kent, Colin Breed MP, a festival of talks, films, exhibits, musical performances and children’s games, a cafe serving Palestinian delicacies, as well as opportunities to buy Christmas presents of olive wood crafts, wine, oil, soaps and cards, Holy Apostles Church, near Victoria Station, 28 – 29 November, 07808 957604 / [email protected]
Sunday 29 November
741 – Death of Pope Gregory III
1268 – Death of Pope Clement IV
1530 – Death of Thomas Wolsey, English religious leader
1646 – Death of Laurentius Paulinus Gothus, Swedish theologian and astronomer
Catholic Church – Saint Saturninus, Saint Brendan of Birr, Saint Sadwen, Saints Saturninus & Sisinius, Saint Cuthbert Mayne, Saint Egelwine
Anglican Church: Day of Intercession and Thanksgiving for the Missionary Work of the Church
Advent Sunday, the beginning of the ecclesiastical year
International Buy Nothing Day
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Monday 30 November
Catholic Church – Saint Andrew, Saint Zosimus, Saint Trojan, Saint Tudwal, Saint Contantius, Saint Joseph Marchand, Saint Maura
Anglican Church – Feast of Andrew the Apostle
Policies for Families…Challenges and Choices, Family and Parenting Institute’s Annual Conference, Matthew Taylor, Professor Jackie Scott, Dr Fred Deven, Dr Katherine Rake, a day of discussion about policy and practice, followed by an evening reception with David Willetts MP, 9am – 7pm, Church House, Westminster, London, 020 7424 3460 / [email protected]
Climate Chains Cycle Ride begins, a six-day cycle ride from Bradford to Walthamstow, leading up to Climate Change protest “The Wave” on 5 December, 30 November – 5 December, http://climatechains.blogspot.com/
The Big Debate: Is God A Delusion?, Islamic Circles, Adam Deen, Dan Barker, 6.00 – 8.30pm, King’s College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, London, 07092 032 136 / [email protected]
Tuesday 1 December
800 – Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican
1521 – Death of Pope Leo X
1581 – Death of Edmund Campion, English Jesuit (martyred) (b. 1540)
1581 – Death of Ralph Sherwin, English Catholic saint
1830 – Death of Pope Pius VIII
1958 – The Our Lady of the Angels School Fire in Chicago, Illinois kills 92 children and three nuns
Catholic Church – Saint Eligius, Saint Edmund Campion, Saint Agericus, Saint Ananias, Saint Ursicinus, Saint Candres, Saint Castritian, Saints Diodorus & Marianus
Anglican Church – Commemoration of Charles de Foucauld, Hermit in the Sahara, 1916
World Aids Day
The Inter-Anglican Standing Commission for Unity, Faith and Order
(IASCUFO), a new commission announced in July 2009, starts its work in Canterbury, England.
Wednesday 2 December
1381 – Death of John of Ruysbroeck, Flemish mystic
1719 – Death of Pasquier Quesnel, French Jansenist theologian
Catholic Church – Saint Bibiana, Saint Chromatius, Saint Lupus of Verona, Saint Pontian
The Journey of a Century – Edinburgh 1910-2010, World Council of Churches, Cardinal Walter Casper, Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prof. Ermanno Genre, Prof. Joseph Dinh, Prof. Luca Pandolfi, Fr. Francesco Marini, Prof. Carmelo Dotolo and others, a study event to reflect on contemporary missiology in preparation for Edinburgh 2010, 9am 2 December – 4.40pm 3 December, Pontifical Urbaniana University, Faculty of Missiology, Rome, +41 22 791 6153 / [email protected]
Is It Time to Lift Sanctions Against Burma, Intelligence Squared, Thant Myint-U, Dr Frank Smithuis, Derek Tonkin, John Bercow, Mark Farmaner, a debate about whether Aung San Suu Kyi should change her position and call for the removal of sanctions on the junta, 6.45-8.30pm, Savoy Place, 2 Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL, 020 7494 3345 / [email protected]
Developing our Communities Patterns of Empowerment, Church Action on Poverty, Churches Regional Commission North East, exploring community development approaches to tackling issues of justice and community cohesion in the North East, 10am – 3.30pm, Blackfriars Centre, Newcastle, 0191 373 5453 / [email protected]
Training Day for Intercessors, CARE, Dr. Dan Boucher, Rachel Davies, Celia Bowring, a training day in Parliament for intercessors with a burden to pray for Government, 12 – 4pm, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, [email protected] / 020 7227 4737
Thursday 3 December
1154 – Death of Pope Anastasius IV
1552 – Death of Francis Xavier, Spanish Catholic missionary
1815 – Death of John Carroll, first Roman Catholic archbishop in the U.S.
1882 – Death of Archibald Campbell Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury
1910 – Death of Mary Baker Eddy, Founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist
1965 – For the first time an all-white jury convicts members of the KKK over the murder of a white civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo.
Catholic Church – Saint John of Damascus, Saint Abbo, Saint Agricola, Saint Attalia, Saint Birinus, Saint Cassian, Blessed Edward Coleman, Saint Eloque
Anglican Church – Commemoration of Francis Xavier, Missionary, Apostle of the Indies, 1552
World Migration Day
The Parliament For World Religions, Melbourne, Australia, 3 – 9 December,
www.parliamentofreligions.org
Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn’t Buy Presents for Christmas, LSE, Professor Joel Waldfogel, an illustration of how our Christmas consumer spending generates vast amounts of economic waste and some alternative gift-giving suggestions, 5 – 6pm, LSE, Houghton Street, WC2A, 020 7955 6043/ [email protected]
Advent Vigil at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment, 1 – 2pm, Tadley Gate, Reading, 01865 241 290 / [email protected]
Palestine Monologues, Ice and Fire, St Ethelburgas, first-hand testimonies from the occupied territories scripted by Sonja Linden, 6.30pm, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG, 020 7496 1610 / [email protected]
Friday 4 December
306 – Martyrdom of Saint Barbara
749 – Death of Saint John of Damascus
765 – Death of Jafar Sadiq, Shia Imam
1334 – Death of Pope John XXII
1563 – The final session of the Council of Trent is held
1674 – Father Jacques Marquette founds a mission on the shores of Lake Michigan to minister to the Illiniwek
Catholic Church – Saint Felix of Bologna, Saint Francis Xavier, Saint Adna, Saint Anno, Saint Bernard degli Uberti, Saint Bertoara, Saint Theophane Venard, Saint Theophanes and Companions, Saint Clement of Alexandria
Anglican Church – Commemorations of John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher of the Faith, c.749 and Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, Founder of the Little Gidding Community, 1637
Bringing Peace Church Theology into the Mainstream: an introduction to John Howard Yoder, Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, this course will provide an introduction to Yoder’s thought and an opportunity to engage with his radical vision of Christian discipleship, 4 – 6 December, Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, 1046 Bristol Road, Birmingham B29 6LJ, +44 (0)121 472 5171 / [email protected]
Climate Change and the Implications for People and Poverty, Practical Action, a course in climate change, 9am – 5.30pm The Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA, practicalaction.org / +44 (0) 1926 634400
Saturday 5 December
663 – Fourth Council of Toledo takes place
749 – Death of Saint John of Damascus, theologian
1443 – Birth of Pope Julius II
1484 – Pope Innocent VIII issues the Summis desiderantes, a papal bull that deputizes Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger as inquisitors to root out alleged witchcraft in Germany
1590 – Niccolò Sfondrati becomes Pope Gregory XIV.
Catholic Church – Saint Gerbold, Saint John Almond, Saint John the Wonder-Worker, Saint Julius, Saint Nicetius, Saint Nicholas Tavigli, Saint Pelinus
The Wave Express, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Friends of the Earth, Leeds Justice and Peace Commission, Stop Climate Chaos, TIDAL, a 500 seat charter train travelling from Bradford, Leeds and Doncaster to London King’s Cross as part of the protests against climate change, 7am – 6pm, 0113 3917917 / [email protected]
The Wave Ecumenical Service for Climate Change, Tearfund, Christian Aid, Cafod, Christian Ecology Link, Archbishop Rowan Williams, Archbishop Vincent Nichols, a service before the Wave protest, at the end of which those present will join the march, Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, Central London, 10.30am photo opportunity, 11am service, 07956 317 338 / [email protected]
March Against Climate Chaos, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, a synonymous climate change March through Glasgow city centre, which will be the largest march on climate change to ever take place in Scotland, [email protected]
Reconciliation: yesterday, today and tomorrow, a day conference to mark the 95th anniversary of Fellowship of Reconciliation, Professor Mary Grey, Dr Johnston McMaster, Fellowship of Reconciliation, 19 Paradise Street, Oxford OX1 1LD, 01865 250 781 / www.for.org.uk
Jesus and Muhammad for Muslims and Christians, St Ethelburgas, Chris Hewer, an exploration of these two key religious figures in both faith traditions, 11am – 5pm, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG, 020 7496 1610 / [email protected]
Sunday 6 December
343 – Death of Saint Nicholas
846 – Birth of Hasan al-Askari, Shia Imam
1352 – Death of Pope Clement VI
Catholic Church – Saint Dionysia, Saint Nicholas, Saint Abraham of Kratia, Saint Asella, Saint Majoricus, Saint Peter Pascual, Saint Polychronius
Anglican Church – Feast of Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c.326
Monday 7 December
283 – Death of Pope Eutychian
521 – Birth of Saint Columba, Irish Christian missionary to Scotland
1254 – Death of Pope Innocent IV
1724 – Tumult of Thorn – religious unrest was followed by the execution of nine Protestant citizens and the mayor of Thorn by Polish authorities
1965 – Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras simultaneously lift mutual excommunications that had been in place since 1054
Catholic Church – Saint Victor of Piacenza, Saint Servus, Saint Anianus, Saint Maria Giuseppe Rossello, Martyrs of Africa, Saints Polycarp and Theodore
Anglican Church – Feast of Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher of the Faith, 397
UN World Climate Change Conference begins, 7 – 18 December, Copenhagen
Pax Christi’s Annual Advent Peace Service, 7.30pm, St Aloysius Church, Phoenix Road, Euston, London, 0208 203 4884
Tuesday 8 December
1691 – Death of Richard Baxter, English clergyman
1854 – Pope Pius IX proclaims the dogma of Immaculate Conception, which holds that the Virgin Mary was born free of original sin
1869 – Death of Narcisa de Jesús Martillo, Ecuadorian saint
Catholic Church – Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Saint Romaric, Saint Macarius, Saint St. Patapius
Anglican Church – Feast of The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Buddhism – Bodhi Day: some Buddhists celebrate Gautama’s attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, India
How will the Recession Impact Corporate Social Responsibility?, a JustShare Debate, Professor Jeremy Moon, Nick Wright, Revd Paul Zaphiriou, 1.05pm, St Mary-le-Bow Church, Cheapside, London EC2V 6AU, 020 7248 5139 / [email protected]
Talking Streets, Homeless Link – Outreach Good Practice Event, an opportunity to share good practice among street outreach practitioners and see effective outreach practices from across the country and practical examples of how you can help to stop people sleeping on the streets, 10am – 4pm, Holloway Resource Centre, London, 020 7960 3014 / [email protected]
Wednesday 9 December
1425 – The Catholic University of Leuven is founded
1565 – Death of Pope Pius IV
1579 – Birth of Martin de Porres, Peruvian saint
1640 – Death of Pierre Fourier, Roman Catholic saint and French priest
1669 – Death of Pope Clement IX
Catholic Church – Saint Ethelgiva, Saint Francis Fasani, Saint Gorgonia, Saint John Roberts, Saint Julian of Apamea, Saint Leocadia, Saint Restitutus, Martyrs of Samosata, Martyrs of Saragossa
London – Copenhagen Bike Ride, Christian Aid, a 140 mile fundraising event and campaign against global warming, arriving in Copenhagen during the UN World Climate Change Conference, 9 – 16 December, +44 (0) 20 7523 2452 / [email protected]
Conflict Prevention – In Our Schools, On Our Streets, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues, Leap Confronting Conflict, learn about a pioneered peer-mediation scheme tackling youth violence in the UK, www.conflictissues.org.uk
Refusing violence: Speak no evil, St Ethelburgas, Simon Keyes, a workshop about avoiding violent speech, 6:30pm, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG, +44 (0)20 7496 1610 / [email protected]
Thursday 10 December
1520 – Martin Luther burns his copy of the papal bull Exsurge Domine outside Wittenberg’s Elster Gate
Catholic Church – Pope Saint Gregory III, Saint Eulalia of Merida, Saint Thomas of Farfa, Blessed Thomas Somers, Blessed Sebastian Montanol, Saints Carpophorus & Abundius, Saint Edmund Genings
UN Human Rights Day
Why Human Rights? And where now?, CAMPACC, the London Guantanamo Campaign, London Against Injustice, Prof AC Grayling, Andy Worthington, Asad Rehman, Peter Tatchell, 6pm, New Theatre, LSE, Houghton Street WC2A 2AE, [email protected] / www.peaceincommon.org
Advent Vigil at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment, 1 – 2pm, Tadley Gate, Reading, 01865 241 290 / [email protected]
Exploring Forgiveness: facilitating discussion through story sharing, St Ethelburgas, Marina Cantacuzino, Bernd Leygraf, 6.30pm, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate London, EC2N 4AG, +44 (0)20 7496 1610 / [email protected]
Friday 11 December
384 – Death of Pope Damasus I
1475 – Birth of Pope Leo X
1925 – Quas Primas Roman Catholic papal encyclical introduces the Feast of Christ the King
Catholic Church – Pope Saint Damasus I, Saint Daniel the Stylite, Saint Damasus, Saint Barsabas, Saints Victoricus, Fuscian, and Gentian, Saint Cian, Saint Fidweten
Saturday 12 December
1212 – Death of Geoffrey, Archbishop of York
1610 – Birth of Saint Vasilije
1779 – Birth of Madeleine Sophie Barat, French saint
Catholic Church – Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Corentin, Saint Abra, Saint Agatha, Saint Ammonaria, Saint Vicelin, Blessed Thomas Holland, Saint Colman of Glendalough
Judaism – Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights marking the restoration of the temple by the Maccabees in 164 BCE
Back to basics or business as usual?, KCL Faith & Public Policy Forum, St Mellitus’ College, John Milbank, Luke Bretherton, Maurice Glasman, a day conference on Christian responses to the credit crunch, [email protected] / 020 7780 1600
Sunday 13 December
1124 – Death of Pope Callixtus II
1294 – Saint Celestine V resigns the papacy after only five months; Celestine hoped to return to his previous life as an ascetic hermit
1521 – Birth of Pope Sixtus V
1545 – Council of Trent begins
1837 – Death of Herman of Alaska, Russian Orthodox hermit
1959 – Archbishop Makarios becomes the first President of Cyprus
Catholic Church – Saint Lucy, Saint Jodoc, Saint Autbert, Saint Edburga, Saints Einhildis & Roswinda, Saint Elizabeth Rose
Anglican Church – Feast of Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304 and commemoration of Samuel Johnson, Moralist, 1784
World Council of Churches Worldwide Bell Ring, an appeal for a climate-friendly outcome of the G20 Summit, 3pm, beginning in the South Pacific and going around the world, +41 79 507 6363 / [email protected]
Climate Change and our response: a meditation in words, pictures and music, Tim Gorringe, service for Copenhagen at Exeter Cathedral, The service will be held during the period of climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, and timed roughly to coincide with the service in Copenhagen at which Archbishop Rowan Williams is preaching, 11.30am, Exeter Cathedral, 01392 255573 / www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk
Monday 14 December
1715 – Death of Thomas Tenison, Archbishop of Canterbury
1938 – Birth of Leonardo Boff, Brazilian theologian
Catholic Church – Saint John of the Cross, Saint Jucundus, Saint Agnellus, Saint Bartholomew Buonpedoni, Saint Venantius Fortunatus, Saint Viator
Anglican Church – Feast of Saint John of the Cross, Poet, Teacher of the Faith,1591
Soup Run Forum meeting, Housing Justice, a meeting for all those involved in soup runs, 6.00pm, Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, 235 Shaftesbury Avenue, 020 7920 6600 / [email protected]
Tuesday 15 December
1945 – General Douglas MacArthur orders that Shinto be abolished as state religion of Japan
Catholic Church – Saint Mary Di Rosa, Saint Adalbero, Saint Urbitius, Saint Valerian, Saint Florentius, Saint Nino, Saint Maximinus, Saint Paul of Latros
Christian Fundamentalism and British Evangelicalism: Exploring the relationship, The Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism in Britain Project, Prof. Alister McGrath, Dr Stephen Holmes, Prof. David Bebbington, a one-day conference for scholars, ministers and the interested public considering the ways in which Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism have expressed themselves in the social and historical conditions of Britain, 9am – 5pm, Kings College Chapel, London, [email protected] / efbproject.blogspot.com
Wednesday 16 December
999 – Death of Saint Adelaide of Italy
1714 – Birth of George Whitefield, English-born Methodist leader
1916 – Gregory Rasputin, the monk who had wielded powerful influence over the Russian court, was murdered by a group of noblemen
Catholic Church – Saint Ado of Vienne, Saint Albina, Saint Beoc, Saint Valentine, Blessed Raynald de Bar, Saint Nicholas Chrysoberges
The agony and the ecstasy, Council of Christians and Jews, Samuel Klein, a debate about whether same-sex relationships are incompatible with sincere religious belief and practice, using Jewish and Christian texts, 6.30pm. St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG, 020 7496 1610 / [email protected]
Thursday 17 December
1187 – Death of Pope Gregory VIII
1273 – Death of Rumi
1531 – Pope Clement VII establishes a parallel body to the Inquisition in Lisbon, Portugal
1538 – Pope Paul III excommunicates Henry VIII of England
1933 – Death of Thubten Gyatso, 13th Dalai Lama
Catholic Church – Saint Begga, Saint John of Martha, Saint Olympias, Saint Briarch, Saint Wivina, Saint Tydecho, Saint Eigil, Saint Florian, Saint Maxentiolus
Anglican Church – Feast: O Sapientia and commemoration of Eglantyne Jebb, Social Reformer, Founder of ‘Save The Children’, 1928
Judaism – 10th Tevet, fast day
Advent Vigil at Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment, 1 – 2pm, Tadley Gate, Reading, 01865 241 290 / [email protected]
Friday 18 December
1442 – Death of Pierre Cauchon, French Catholic bishop
Catholic Church – Saint Bodagisil, Saint Victurus, Saint Winebald, Saints Theotimus & Basilian, Saint Samthan, Saint Desideratus, Saint Gatian, Saints Rufus and Zosimus
Islam – Al-Hijira, the Islamic New Year
Saturday 19 December
401 – Death of Pope Anastasius I
1370 – Death of Pope Urban V
1984 – Death of Joy Ridderhof, American missionary
Catholic Church – Saint Augustine Moi, Saint Bernard Valeara, Saint Thomas De & Companions, Saint Darius, Saint Dominic Uy, Blessed Francis Man, Saint Francis Xavier Mau
Sunday 20 December
217 – Death of Pope Zephyrinus
1566 – Birth of Edward Wightman, English Baptist preacher
Catholic Church – Saint Ursicinus, Saint Dominic of Brescia, Saint Dominic of Silos, Saint Julius, Saints Liberatus & Bajulus, Blessed Peter de la Cadireta, Saint Peter Thi, Saint Philogonius
Monday 21 December
1118 – Birth of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
1597 – Death of Petrus Canisius, Dutch Jesuit
1603 – Birth of Roger Williams, English theologian
1807 – Death of John Newton, English cleric and hymnist
1811 – Birth of Archibald Campbell Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury
Catholic Church – Saint Peter Canisius, Blessed Adrian, Saint Anastasius XII, Saint Andrew Dung Lac, Saint Themistoeles, Saint Severinus, Saint Glycerius, Saint Honoratus of Toulouse
Pagan – Winter Solstice
Tuesday 22 December
1666 – Birth of Guru Gobind Singh, Sikh guru
1681 – Death of Richard Alleine, English Puritan clergyman
1914 – Birth of Swami Satchidananda, Yogi and Spiritual teacher
1917 – Death of Mother Cabrini, first American citizen canonized by the Catholic Church
Catholic Church – Saint Amaswinthus, Saint Zeno, Saint Chaeromon, Saint Demetrius, Saint Flavian, Saint Hunger
Wednesday 23 December
668 – Death of Mor Gabriel, Syriac Orthodox Saint
1771 – Death of Marie-Marguerite d’Youville, Canadian saint
1902 – Death of Frederick Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury
Catholic Church – Saint Servulus, Saint John of Kanty, Saint Victoria, Saint Vintila, Saint Theodulus, Saint Dagobert II, Saint John Cantius, Martyrs of Crete, Saint Nicholas Factor, Saint Migdonius & Mardonius
Thursday 24 December
427 – Death of Archbishop Sisinnius I of Constantinople
1294 – Pope Boniface VIII is elected Pope, replacing St. Celestine V, who had resigned
1865 – Several U.S. Civil War Confederate veterans form the Ku Klux Klan
1898 – Death of Sharbel Makhluf, Lebanese monk canonized in 1977 by Pope Paul VI
1939 – During World War II, Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace
Catholic Church – Saint Adele, Saint Emiliana, Saint Tarsilla, Saint Venerandus, Saint Caranus, Saint Delphinus, Saint Lucian
Christmas Eve
Midnight Mass, St Paul’s Cathedral, 11.30pm – 12.30am, St Paul’s Cathedral, London, EC4M 8AD, 020 7236 4128 / [email protected]
Friday 25 December
795 – Death of Pope Adrian I
1156 – Death of Peter the Venerable, French Benedictine abbot of Cluny
1674 – Birth of Thomas Halyburton, Scottish theologian
1865 – Birth of Evangeline Booth, the 4th General of The Salvation Army
1916 – Death of St. Albert Chmielowski, Polish Catholic saint
Catholic Church – Saint Eugenia, Saint Adalsindis, Saint Anastasia III, Saint Alburga, Blessed Michael Nakashima
Christmas Day
Saturday 26 December
268 – Death of Pope Dionysius
418 – Death of Pope Zosimus
1620 – Pilgrim Fathers land at what becomes New Plymouth in Massachusetts
1666 – Birth of Guru Gobind Singh, Tenth Guru of Sikhism
1751 – Birth of Clement Hofbauer, Austrian missionary and saint
1973 – Death of Harold B. Lee, 11th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Catholic Church – Saint Vincentia Maria Lopez Y Vicuna, Saint Neol Chabanel, Saint Amaethlu, Saint Archelaus, Saint Zeno, Saint Zosimus, Saint Tathal, Saint Theodore the Sacrist, Saint Pope Dionysius, Saint Marinus
Anglican Church – Feast of Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr
Boxing Day
Sunday 27 December
1603 – Death of Thomas Cartwright, English Puritan clergyman
1717 – Birth of Pope Pius VI
1812 – Death of Shneur Zalman of Liadi, Lithuanian rabbi and founder of Chabad Hasidism
Catholic Church – Saint John the Evangelist, Saint John the Apostle, Saint Fabiola, Saint Theodore and Theophanes, Saint Nicarete, Saint Maximus
Anglican Church – Feast of John, Apostle and Evangelist
Islam – Ashura, an Islamic holy day
Gaza Freedom March, mark the New Year by marching alongside the Palestinian people of Gaza in a non-violent demonstration that breaches the illegal blockade, Gaza, gazafreedommarch.org / [email protected]
Monday 28 December
1065 – Westminster Abbey is consecrated
1446 – Death of Antipope Clement VIII
1622 – Death of Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva and saint
Catholic Church – Saint Anthony the Hermit, Saint Troadius, Saint Caesarius, Saint Castor, Saint Domnio, Saints Eutychius & Domitian, Saint Romulus & Conindrus, Saint Maughold
Anglican Church – Feast of The Holy Innocents
Tuesday 29 December
1170 – Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by followers of King Henry II
1563 – Death of Sebastian Castellio, French theologian
1851 – The first American YMCA opens in Boston, Massachusetts
Catholic Church – Saint Thomas Becket, Saint Aileran, Saint Albert of Gambron, Blessed William Howard, Saint Trophimus, Saints Callistus, Felix & Boniface, Saint Ebrulf
Anglican Church – Feast of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170
Wednesday 30 December
1591 – Death of Pope Innocent IX
1640 – Death of John Francis Regis, French saint
1906 – The All India Muslim League is founded in Dacca, East Bengal, British India Empire
Catholic Church – Saint Anysia, Saint Sabinus, Saint Egwin, Blessed John Alcober, Saint Liberius, Saint Mansuetus, Saint Raynerius
Thursday 31 December
335 – Death of St. Silvester, Pope
1378 – Birth of Pope Callixtus III
1583 – Death of Thomas Erastus, Swiss theologian
1687 – The first Huguenots set sail from France to the Cape of Good Hope
Catholic Church – Saint Slyvester, Saint Melania, Saint Barbatian, Saint Zoticus, Saints Sabinian & Potentian, Saint Columba of Sense, Saint Donata, Saint Hermes, Saint Offa
Anglican Church – Commemoration of John Wyclif, Reformer, 1384
New Year’s Eve
Friday 1 January
379 – Death of Saint Basil of Caesarea
404 – Death of Saint Telemachus
766 – Birth of Ali al-Rida, Shia Imam
874 – Deatb of Hasan al-Askari, eleventh Shia Imam
1431 – Birth of Pope Alexander VI
1484 – Birth of Huldrych Zwingli, Swiss Protestant leader
1988 – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America comes into existence
Catholic Church – Saint William of Dijon, Saint Eugendus, Saint Fulgentius, Saint Fanchea, Saint Joseph Mary Tommasi, Saint Justin of Chieti, Saint Odilo
Saturday 2 January
533 – Mercurius becomes Pope John II, the first pope to adopt a new name upon elevation to the papacy
1873 – Birth of Thérèse de Lisieux, French Roman-Catholic saint
Catholic Church – Saint Basil the Great, Saint Caspar del Bufalo, Saint Adalard, Saint Aregeus, Saint Aspasius, Saint Blidulf, Saint Seraphim of Sarov, Saint Artaxus, Saint Martinian
Sunday 3 January
235 – Death of Pope St Anterus
1431 – Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon
1521 – Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther in the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem
1690 – Death of Hillel ben Naphtali Zevi, Lithuanian rabbi
1871 – Death of Kuriakose Elias Chavara, Indian Saint
1962 – Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro
Catholic Church – Saint Genevieve, Saint Bertilia, Saint Blitmund, Saints Zosimus & Athanasius, Saint Wenog, Saints Theopemptus and Theonas, Saint Cyrinus, Saint Daniel, Saint Finlugh