Saint Brice or Brictius (Latin) of Tours was a favourite of Saint Martin of Tours. According to legend Saint Brice was an orphan who was rescued by Saint Martin and raised in the monastery in Marmoutier. He became a monk and later archdeacon to Saint Martin. Apparently he was disliked by the other monks because of his rudeness and worldly ways. Saint Martin when asked to send the trouble maker away replied ’ If Jesus could come to terms with Judas, then I can certainly come to terms with Brice.’ When Saint Martin died in 397 he became bishop; he became a new man and ruled the monastery well. In the thirteen year of his episcopate a nun, a washer woman, had a child. The rumour was that Saint Brice was the father. He submitted to ritual of carrying hot coals in his cloak, showing the unburned cloak as proof of his innocence. They still did not believe him. It was only after he had travelled to Rome and been absolved by the Pope did he return. Having spent 7 years in voluntary exile Saint Brice return to find that those who had replaced him had died. He then served with such humility that on his death, 7 years later, he was venerated as a saint. He was buried beside Saint Martin. In some pictures he is shown either with glowing coals in his robe or holding a baby in his arms as a result of the rumour. Sources used wikipedia The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander

The title of ’ * Sensational Evangellst of Britain and America* ’ is given to George Whitefield by *Christianity Today. * The magazine goes on to say that he is probably the most famous religious figure of the 18th century. He was an English Anglican cleric and evangelist who was one of the founders of the Methodist and evangelical movement. As a boy he enjoyed reading plays and skipped school to practice for his performances. Later in life he may have repudiated the theatre but in his sermons he portrayed biblical characters with a realism by crying, dancing and screaming - he took the theatre to the pulpit. It brought the crowds ‘out’- most of his sermons were preached outside. He went to Pembroke college, Oxford as a servitor, the lowest rank of undergraduate - his tuition was free but he acted as a servant to his fellow students. He was part of the ’ Holy Club ’ with John and Charles Wesley. An illness plus Henry Scougal’s book The life of God in the soul of Man influenced him, He had a religious conversion and became a passionate preacher. The week after his ordination he preached in his home town of Gloucester. In 1738 he went with the Wesleys to Georgia in the USA as a priest. He decided he wanted to build an orphanage for black children - this became central to his preaching. He came back to the UK to raise money. In 1940 the construction began. He had a theological disagreement. The building bought by the Moravians is today called The Whitefield House. He preached nearly every day for months to crowds in their thousands with his big booming voice. Benjamin Franklin attended a meeting in Philadephia and estimated George could be heard 500 feet away. On horseback he travelled from New York to Charleston, South Carolina - at the time the longest distance by a white man in North America, Back in the UK he was met by similar size crowds. The Church of England did not assign him a pulpit so preached in parks and fields. This itinerant preacher’s career was divided between the American colonies and the whole of the UK. In 170, aged 55,he made this comment I would rather wear out than rust out. He preached his last sermon from the top of a large barrel in a field in the colonies. The next morning he died. Thomas S. Kidd summarized George’s life in the title of his book *George Whitefield America’s Founding Father * 2014 (For full summary read Veneration and legacy.) Sources wikipedia Britannic Online Encyclopedia Christianity Today

Bud in his lifetime challenged 100s of 1000s students to give their lives to serving Christ in the ’ foreign field '. Bud survived an accident with an axe before he was two. His mother prayed for his healing and dedicated her son to Jesus. In the dream that followed she saw children from all countries coming to her son’s side. Jon Hinkson, his son, in ’ Ambassadors for Christ ’ , tells us a great deal about his father’s ministry, especially behind the Iron Curtain. from his birth to his final cycle ride to heaven. I have based this article on the headings he used. (See full text) Memory Harvest. He was gifted with an incredible memory. His godly grandmother laid down the foundations of his Scripture memory. Years later Shirley Milligan, his future wife, wrote a list entitled * The man if I marry*. Bud memorized it and would remind her when he fulfilled a trait. Together they shared most of Bob’s adventures. The University Ambassador Team Bud remembered in Luke 10 where Jesus sent out 70 in pairs - the result was the University Ambassador Team. This team came to the UK. The watchword was Win, Build , Send and they were blessed with a lasting harvest. There were many foreign students. Bud spent a whole year in Africa. But they were drawn to Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. *** Behind the Iron Curtain*** Bud with his wife and two children headed for Vienna with their passports inaccessible in the van. On the Romanian border a guard saw Shirley’s Bible. He got away with it by gaining the guards sympathy by saying his wife was a religious fanatic. Bud’s ministry involved the whole family. He began the Campus Crusade for Christ ministry in Poland in 1975. 20 years before the Berlin Wall fell Bud was all over the Soviet Block quietly organizing one of the greatest missionary endeavors of the twentieth century. Opportunities and adversaries In 1990 while teaching the scriptures in a secluded Czechoslovakian hayloft he was invited to deliver 5 lectures on Christianity at the Soviet Academy of Science. In 1992 , on his last trip to Russia, he taught 400 students from across the former Soviet Union Filled with joy and peace he literally radiated God’s love to those around Him He died as a result of head injuries sustained in a cycling accident in Germany. Bud was 58. The New Life Christian School in Moscow in 1992 was renamed Hinkson Christian Academy in memory of Bud. Sources * Ambassadors for Christ * contribution from his son Jon Mission Poland History of Hinkson

Edward the Confessor was a king who later became recognized as a saint He lived in the eleventh century . He died shortly before the Battle of Hasting between King Harold, his successor and William 1, William the conqueror. There are differences of opinion as to whether he was a weak or a strong king. Confessor reflects his reputation as a saint who did not suffer martyrdom. Wikipedia uses the work ’ nickname ’ to reflect the traditional image of him as unworldly and pious. He did reign for 24 years It is said because he was unable to fulfill a vow to go to Rome that he built a monastery. The monastery we call Westminster Abbey. He re-established the Abbey of Westminster on a site of a church built 400 years earlier. It was the first Norman Romanesque church in England. Building began in 1042 and consecrated on 28th December 1065. Edward unfortunately was too ill to attend the ceremony and died the following week - 5th January 1066. Edward was buried at Westminster Abbey. His body was exhumed a number of times and was finally given a centerpiece, in a magnificent tomb, in the new thirteenth century ( present day )Abbey. Edward can be seen on the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Edward the Confessor was for many years the patron saint of England until Saint George, during the time of the Crusades, replaced him. HIs feast day is 13th October. Westminster Abbey was finally completed in 1090 some 25 years after his death. In 1245, during the reign of Henry111, it was demolished and replaced by today’s present building.

Steve Green is an American Christian singer noted for his tenor vocal range and flexible solo style. He is also noted fo rhis evangelistic mission to bring others to Jesus through his songs. I have put the wikipedia information first because this is what the general public would want to known. His continued success as a singer and a list of the songs he has recorded. I have put the information about his upbring second. This information can be found in Ambassadors for Christ. Here Don Wyrtzen tells us about Steve being brought up in a Christian household and him accepting Christ into his life when he was only 8 years of age. He goes on later to tell us that many years later, after he was married, he had to recommit himself to Christ after he had a heated disagreement with his brother. The disagreement resulting in him throwing himself upon the mercy, love and grace of Jesus. It resulted in him facing up to his hypocritical life and there is now a revival in his heart that burns brightly and consistently to this day. Sources used Ambassadors for Christ wikipedia

Saint Malo or Saint Machutus was a sixth century saint. He was the founder of Saint-Malo, a commune in Brittany, France. He was one of the seven founding saints of Brittany. Malo was baptized as an adult by Brendan the Navigator and became his student… I have included a synopsis of his* Voyage of Saint Brendan the Abbot*. he was the first bishop of Aleth - now modern Saint-servan in France. There are two stories/legends about Saint Malo and seaweed. In one story he laid down on a heap of seaweed at low tide and fell asleep. Having searched on the beach he was found floating on the sea on a mass of seaweed. The second story he was cut off by the sea and miraculously floated to safety on a bed of seaweed. ( Dates are not clear - wikipedia dates on sheet do not agree) Sources used wikipedia The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

Saint Martin was born in Hungary to heathen parents. He became a Christian catechumen - person ready for baptism - when he was 10. Aged 15 he joined the Roman army and was stationed at Amiens in Gaul (France) According to his biographer -Sulpicius Severeus he petitioned the emperor, Julian the Apostate, to be released form the army.’ I am Christ’s soldier: I am not allowed to fight.’ Charged with cowardic he offered to stand in front of the battle line only with the sign of the cross. He was imprisoned but was soon discharged. Legend has it that on a freezing night he cut his cloak in half to share it with a beggar. He dreamt that Jesus wore the other half. When he woke up his cloak was restored. Following the vision and apparent miracle he finished his religious studies and was baptised aged 18. ( After he died his cloak was carried into battle and Mass said in the tent where it was placed. Later replaced by a ‘forked’ blue banner) Aged 20 Saint Martin left the army and joined Saint Hilary of Poitiers, together they founded the first monastery in France. He became a missionary in the provinces of Pannonia and Illyricum -now Balkan Peninsula. He went to Italy and to the island of Gallinaria. In 360 he returned to Poitiers. He then founded a community of hermits at Liguge - the monastery in Gaul. Saint Martin became bishop of Tours in 371. He founded the Marmoutier monastery from which apostles spread Christianity throughout Gaul. He was an active missionary in Touraine and the country districts. Saint Martin in 384/5 became involved in a conflict at the imperial court in Trier, France. It resulted eventually in bishop Priscillian of Spain being executed by the Roman authorities… His involvement caused him to fall into disfavour with Spanish bishops. He died in 397 at Candes. During his lifetime Saint Martin gained a reputation as a miracle worker and became one of the first non-martyrs to be publicly venerated as a saint. He was the patron saint of France, father of monasticism in Gaul and the first great leader of Western monasticism. In England there are over 150 churches dedicated to him. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia * The Church’s Year* by Charles Alexander

The two Peters were father (Sr) and son (Jr). Peter Sr. was born in in Belarus. With his parents he immigrated to Chicago USA in 1913/4 where he worked in a machine shop. He was brought up in the Russian Orthodox Church. He was born again in 1920 at a Moody Memorial Church. He graduated as valedictorian from the Moody Bible Institute in 1925. God ignited a fire in him to witness to anyone who would listen, especially Russians. He found many Russians across USA and Canada. His animated style and intensity earned him the nickname ’ Peter Dynamite ’ Peter Sr returns home to Russia to evangelize his own people and works in Latvia and Estonia as field secretary for the All Russian Evangelical Union. Peter Sr married Vera Demidovich in 1926. and Peter Jr was born in 1931. January 1934, with 3 other men a committee is created to support his work. The Russian Gospel Association is founded in 1936 ( since 1949 called Slavic Gospel Association (SGA)). SGA over the years has help provide missionary radio for the Russian people. Russian pastors said that missionary radio was instrumental in the conversion of many Russian families. The story of the 2 Peters begin to overlap. Peter Jr . accepts Christ at home during grade school years. He graduates from Wheaton College in 1953and a M.Div at Northern Baptist Seminary in 1957. The SGA send him to numerous countries between 1955 and 1965. He becomes Assistant director (1966-3) and then president of SGA from 1975-1991. Between 1976-1989 the Soviet Government rejects 10 visa requests from Peter Jr and his wife Anita. For 13 years they were denounced frequently in publications. While they waited Peter Jr and his colleagues translated about 100 book titles. They were printed in the West and imported in limited quantities . He engaged in radio ministry. Russians received his pastoral training materials with enthusiasm. Finally when glsnost (openness) and peresroika (restructuring) developed they received a visa February 1989. They moved to Moscow in January 1991. By this time Peter Sr had died. He died in 1987 having dedicated his life to the ministry of evangelism despite the dangers and persecution under the Soviet regime. His biography is called ’ Twice Born Russian ’ In 1991 Peter Jr became president of the Peter Deyneka Russian Ministries 1991-2000). Peter Jr. died on 23rd December 2000. He had been diagnosed with lymphoma cancer earlier in the summer. The sources I have used includes Peter Jr. Deyneka’s writing in *Ambassadors for Christ * (published in 1994) The Christian faith, hidden, but vibrant for many years was allowed to flourish All of my past was preparation for these past seventeen months Peter Deyneka Jr. Sources used Ambassadors for Christ East-West Church Ministry report

Dietrick Bonhoeffer was a German protestant theologian who was important foe his support of ecumenism (unity) and his view of Christianity’s role in the secular world. His slight involvement in a plot to overthrow Adolf Hitler led to hie imprisonment and execution. His Letters and Papers from Prison published after his death is perhaps the most profound document of his convictions. Dietrick was brought up amid the academic circles of the University of Berlin. He was a gifted pianist and his family through the would study music.To their disappointment, aged just 14, he said he wanted to be a minister and theologian. Aged 21 he graduated from University of Berlin with a degree in Theology. He spent a short time in Spain being an assistant pastor to a German congregation. He went back to Germany to write a dissertation to earn the right to a university appointment. After a year in the USA he returned to take up the post of lecturer in systematic theology at University of Berlin. Adolf Hitler and Nazism were coming to the for. He wrote the Cost of Discipleship in 1937 - a call to a more faithful and radical obedience to Christ. During this time he was teaching pastors in an underground seminary. When it was discovered the Confessing Church became increasingly reluctant to speak out against Hitler. Dietrick to this point had been a pacifist and had tried to oppose Nazis through religious action and moral persuasion. He decided to become a double agent. He also became involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler. He was never at the centre of the plans but his resistance efforts to help the Jews was discovered. he was taken to Tegel prison. He spent 2 years in prison. Dietrick corresponded with family and friends, pastoring fellow prisoners and reflecting on the meaning of *Jesus Christ for Today*. In prison he began to outline a new theology. He was transferred to Buchenwald and then to the extermination camp at Flossenburg. 9th April 1945 , with 6 other from the resistance he was hanged. 10 years later a camp doctor who witness the hanging said , I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God. * Sources used Britannia Online Encyclopedia Christianity Today Great Leaders of the Christian Church edited by John D, Woodbridge

Henry Parry Liddon, also known as H.P. Liddon was an English theologian. He was one of Britain’s greatest preachers. He was Dean Ireland’s Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture at the University of Oxford. The son of a naval captain he was born at North Stoneham in Hampshire G.B. he was educated at King’s College school and at Christ Church Oxford. He was first vice-principal at Cuddesdon theological college (1854-9) and then vice-principal at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford. In 1864 Walter Kerr Hamilton , the bishop of Salisbury, appointed Henry ar as prebendary (canon) of Salisbury Cathedral. In 1866 he delivered his Bampton Lectures. on the doctrine of the divinity of Christ. His fame as a preacher was established. Henry was praised for his grasp of subject, clarity and lucidity, use of illustration, vivid imagination, elegance of diction, and sympathy with the intellectual position of those he addressed. 1870 made canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral. His preaching attracted 1000s. Sermons normally held in the choir stalls were instead preached under the dome. 3000-4000 used to gather to hear his sermons. Being dean at Oxford and canon at St. Paul’s gave him extensive influence over the Church of England. In 1882 he resigned and travelled to Palestine and Egypt. In 1886 returned to St. Paul’s as chancellor. He declined more than one offer of a bishopric. Henry, with his friend Lewis Carrol, visited Russia to make closer links with the C. of E. and the Russian Orthodox clergy. Henry died on the 9th of September 1890 at the height of his reputation. He had nearly completed the biography of Edward Bouvirie Pasey, who he admired. (work completed by J. O. Johnson and R. Wilson) after his death. Henry’s influence during his life was due to his personal fascination and his pulpit oratory rather than his intellect. He was the last, but one,(John Charles Ryle) of the classical pulpit orators of the English church. He is buried in the chapel of the Order of the British Empire in the crypt of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Source wikipedia

Henry Emerson Fosdick was a liberal protestant American pastor, teacher and author who was central figure in the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy within American Protestantism in the 1920s and 1930s . He was one of the most prominent liberal ministers of the early 20th century. He was ordained a Baptist minister in 1903. He was minister at Montclair N.J. from 1904 until 1915. He taught at Union Theological seminary for nearly 40 years (1908-1946). In 1919 he became associate pastor at th First Presbyterian Church in New York City. Crowds filled the church to hear his sermons but conservative Protestants denounced him modernist. His sermon * Shall the Fundamentalists win ? * on May 21st, 1922 , caused an uproar. It lead to his resignation 3 years later. Within a few months he was called to the Park Avenue Baptist Church in New York. With the aid of John D. Rockefeller. Jr. as a trustee a larger interdenominational church was built. It was renamed the Riverside Church. Henry was pastor there and preacher on the National Vespers nationwide radio programme for the next 20 years (1926-1946). Henry’s sermons won him wide recognition. Many of his sermon collections are still in print. His radio addresses were broadcast nationally. He was a prolific author of sermons, articles and books over 60 years. ( see Works -this does not include work he contributed to) ) He is regarded as one of the top 10 preachers of the 20th century. Martin Luther King placed him first ( see info from King encyclopedia) More recently Michael Duduit placed him 5th ( see My intro to by William l. Self) Sources wikipedia Britannica Online Encyclopedi The Martin Luther king Research and Education institute The 10 greatest preachers of the 20th century

William was born at the very beginning of the 20th century. He was never taken to a place of worship until he was 8 years old. Aged 12 a sensitive Sunday school teacher asked him if he wanted to become a disciple of Jesus.* I spluttered out my little prayer. I had one merit . I meant it.* In his autobiography he wrote * I believe I was born to be a minister I felt the pressure of a directing hand upon me from my tenderest years. * He fought in the WW1. Army life tested him and deepened him. He did a 4 year course at college. After he was ordained he ministered in Bognor, Colwyn Bay Liverpool and Scarborough attracting large congregations in each place. In 1936 he became the minister at Brunswick Church, Leeds. The out break of WW11 found him senior minster at Westminster Hall, the cathedral of Methodism. The hall held 3,000 and was full, mornings and evenings for the next 16 years to listen to him preach his 30-45 minute sermons. The basement became an air raid shelter. His family for 5 years lived on the hazardous ground floor - they slept nightly in the smelly men’s washroom. 450,00 found refuge in the basement. In 1949 William was elected president of the Methodist Conference of Great Britain. His two fold agenda was evangelism and spiritual deepening. In 1955 he was appointed head of the Home Mission Department of the Methodist Church. He wrote and published 3 invaluable books on preaching The Craft of the Sermon, The Approach to preaching, Power in Preaching Numerous engagements on behalf of International Methodism took him around the world and several times to the USA. While lecturing In Texas he had difficulty swallowing and walking. He was diagnosed with progressive muscular atrophy. Towards the end it was even difficult to lift the finger of his right hand. After a two year struggle he died on May 24th 1960. His life had been to serve one passion *O let me commend my savior to you * William was one of the top 10 preachers of the 20th century. Sources used The 10 Greatest preachers of the 20th century Michael Duduit Preaching.com oChristian .com WikiTree EThos e-theses online sevices

Saint Faith or Saint faith of Conques was said to be a girl or young woman of Agen in Aquitaine. She was the daughter of Christian parents. She was arrested during the persecutions of Christians by the roman Empire. She was told she must sacrifice to the pagan goddess Diana or be executed. She replied she was a Christian and so could not sacrifice to a pagan god. She refused even under torture. Saint Faith was tortured to death with a red hot brazier. Date of death c.300 AD. Her behaviour was so brave that it is said several of the onlookers were converted thinking Christianity must be a religion worth dying for if a young girl like Saint Faith could face death with so much courage. Saint Faith’s life and martyrdom has been recounted in several verse narratives and martyrdoms.

The Revd. Dr. George Campbell was called by many * the prince of espositors . He helped influence the shape of evangelical preaching on both sides of the Atlantic. He was brought up in Wales. He was unwell as a child and was tutored at Home. D.L. Moody came to England when George was 10. His ministry and the dedication of his parents, father had become a Baptist minister, impressed the young George. Aged just 13 he preached his first sermon: aged 15 he was preaching in country chapels during his Sundays and holidays. In 1883 he was teaching in Birmingham. In 1886 he devoted himself to preaching and Bible exposition. 1890 saw him ordained as a Congregational minister. The skilled expository preacher served several English congregations. His reputation grew as a preacher and Bible expositor throughout Britain and spread to the USA. Moody in 1896 invited him to lecture to his students at his Bible Institute. This was the first of 54 visits to the USA to preach and teach. George’s sermon method was to read the text. Read the text 25-50 times in context The whole book. In context. Only then will you understand the text and be able to preach it. In 1899, after the death of Moody, he became director of the Northfield Bible Conference. After 5 years he returned to the UK in 1904 to become pastor of Westminster chapel in London (1904- 1919 and 1933-1943). His preaching and weekly Friday Bible classes were attended by 1000s. The church experienced unparalleled growth growth under his leadership. Between 1919-1933 he taught at Biola, Los Angeles. USA. Where he conducted an itinerant preaching and teaching ministry. George was also a prolific writer. He wrote about 80 works in his lifetime. There is also a 10 volume set of sermons - The Westminster Pulpit. He even wrote commentaries on the entire Bible. (See list for early of writings) George retired in 1943. He died aged 81 on the 16th of May 1945 . Preaching was the supreme passion of his life Martyn Lloyd Jones. (Incredibly George was rejected for formal ministry because his preaching showed so little potential. In those dark days that followed his father remind him * rejected on earth accepted in heaven.* He put aside all his books except the Book - the BIBLE) He is regarded as one of the top 10 preachers of the 20th century. Sources The 10 Greatest Preachers of the 20th century - Michael Duduit wikipedia

John Robert Walmsley Stott was an English Anglican priest and theologian. He founded the Langham Partnership International (1974) and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (1982). John was ordained a deacon in 1945. he went from being a school boy at All Souls Langham Place C.of E. school to becoming first a curate (1945-1950), then rector (1950-1975) at All Souls Langham Place. John remained at the church and was appointed rector emeritus. He was one of the authors of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974 which had a major influence on how to bring the Gospels to 20th century men. (see notes) He wrote 50 books - some in Chinese, Korean and Spanish -he had studied modern languages at trinity College, Cambridge. In 2005 the Time magazine ranked John as being among the top 100 most influential people in the world. He has also been ranked in the top 10 preachers of the 20th century. When he died tributes came from across the world. His close friend Billy Graham said The evangelical world has lost one of its greatest spokesmen, and I have lost one of my close personal friends and advisors . I look forward to seeing him again in heaven. They had known each other for over 50 years. John and Billy’s joint work on the Lausanne Covenant established a movement that became a watershed for evangelicals. I have included the titles for the 15 Lausanne Covenants. Sources used - wikipedia and lausanne.org

Saint Thomas, the twin, was one of Jesus’ 12 original disciples/apostles. Saint Thomas is mentioned three times by name in St. John’s Gospel. He speaks after the resurrection of Lazarus when Jesus talks about going to Jerusalem. Let us also go, that we may die with him John 11 v16 After Jesus has spoken about preparing a place in heaven he says Lord, we know not whither thou goest;and how can we know the way? The third time, the most best known time is after Jesus’ resurrection. This is where he is referred to as ‘doubting’ Thomas. He makes a comment that he will not believe Jesus is alive unless he puts his hands physically into the injured holes in the hands,feet and side of his Lord. Jesus appears and invites Thomas to touch him. My Lord and my God . (He is the first to acknowledge his divinity.) Jesus goes on to say, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed. Saint Thomas was presumably at both the Ascension and Pentecost. Thomas’ subsequent history is uncertain. Tradition holds that he took Christianity to Parthia. The existence of an ancient Christian community on the Malabar Coast of India suggests that he converted their ancestors but was martyred and buried at Mylapore (now part of Madras) Another story suggests he converted ruler in the Punjab and was by killed in accident by an archer shooting at peacocks. Sources used The Church’s Year Charles Alexander wikipedia Britannica Online Encyclopedia The Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

The only recognized authority for the facts of Saint Benedict life is book 2 of the Dialogues of Saint Gregory 1. He was born of a noble family of Nursia and sent to Rome to be educated. Shocked by the behaviour of Rome he ‘retired’ as a young man to Enfide ((modern Affile) to live as a hermit. He isolated himself in a mountain cave and he daily hauled food up . The food was provided by the monk Romanus. When the fame of his sanctity spread he was encouraged to become an abbot at one of the monasteries. Here, because of his asceticism (self denial) and tales of being a miracle worker, he attracted disciples. He set up 12 monasteries around the place. He then abandoned the area - stories of jealousy and an attempt on his life. He moved to southern Italy, towards Naples and established the famous abbey of Monte Cassino. It was here that he wrote his famous * Rule of Saint Benedict* which contained precepts for his monks. Although known by his name it was influenced by the writings of John Cassian, and showed close affinity with the Rule of the Master. Even if this is the case Michael David Knowles in ‘Britannica Online Encyclopedia’ says *It was the Rule of St, Benedict, derived from various and disparate sources , that provided for the monastic way of life a directory at once practical and spiritual that continued to force after 1500 years. It was further developed to offer hospitality, medical, educational and agricultural skills to the world. Apparently Saint Benedict was never a priest. * He is a patron saint of Europe. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia wikipedia Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

Saint Ignatius was bishop of Antioch when he was sentenced to death in the arena of Trajan. For some reason instead of being executed in his home town of Antioch he was escorted to Rome, in chains, by a company of 10 Roman soldiers. The ship taking him to Rome hugged the coast and Saint Ignatius, in chains, was received with honour by Christians at each port of call. He wrote 7 letters on his route to Rome to various committees containing instructions on marriage and theology. It is from these letters, which still exist, that we know what happened to him. Saint Polycarp befriended Saint Ignatius and collected the letters together and sent them to the church of Philippi. At some point a single Latin version , based on the original text, was made in England in the 13th century. Saint Ignatius fate was that he was eaten, by lions, in the Colosseum in Rome. He was probably alive during Jesus’ life time. There was a tradition in the early church that when he was a boy sat at the feet of Jesus. Whoso shall receive one such a little child in my name receiveth me Saint Ignatius is considered to be one of the three most important Apostolic Fathers. Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander wikipedia Britannica Online Encyclopedia The Encyclopedia of Saints Howard Loxton*

According to apocryphal texts Saint Lucy was a virgin who came from a wealthy Sicilian Family. A suitor who she refused to marry told the Roman authorities she was a Christian. The authorities first of all sentenced her to be placed in a brothel and forced into prostitution. This order, according to legend, was thwarted by divine intervention She was next condemned to death by fire - but she proved impervious to flames. Finally her neck was pierced by a sword and she died. Lots of images show her with a sword in her neck. Other images focus on her eyes. There are two legends. The first she was tortured by having her eyes torn out. Secondly she removed her own eyes and sent them to her suitor. There are many images showing her eyes on a dish.When she was buried her sight is restored. Saint Lucy is the patron saint of Syracuse (Sicily), for virgins and sight. She was one of the earliest Christian saints to achieve popularity. In Sweden St. Lucy’s day marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations. The eldest daughter wears a white gown and a crown wreath studded with candles. Source Britannica Online Encyclopedia

Saint Vibia Perpetua was a married noblewoman, 22 years of age with an infant. Felicity was a slave and pregnant . Together with three men they were imprisoned. Perpetua, in prison, is said to have had a dream. She saw a ladder which led from her cell up to heaven. A dragon guarded the foot of it. She spoke to the dragon and he moved his head so she could climb. On reaching the top she found a shepherd with his flock and 1000s of people dressed in white. When she woke up she realized the day of her martyrdom was close, but unafraid, because she would soon be with the shepherd, Jesus in heaven. They were taken to the amphitheatre in Carthage. Perpetua was tossed and gored by a wild cow and afterwards beheaded. The Passion of Perpetua and Felicity tells of their deaths. Perpetua was a catechumen - a Christian instructed in the faith but not yet baptised. The group were executed at the military games in celebration of Emperor Septimius Severus’s birthday. Sources wikipedia The Church’s Year Charles Alexander