22nd January: Today in Christian History

22nd January, 304

On this day in Christian History, Martyrdom of Vincent of Saragossa, Spain’s first famous martyr, who had been starved, racked, exposed in the stocks, and partially roasted.

22nd January, 1623

On this day in Christian History, St Macarius was buried at Zhabyn, opposite the Orthodox monastery he had founded. In his lifetime, the Russian ascetic had allegedly performed great miracles.

22nd January, 1867

On this day in Christian History, the Ambatonakanga Memorial Church opens in Madagascar in honour of Christians who were martyred under the cruel Queen Ranavalona.

22nd January, 1876

On this day in Christian History, John Dykes died at Ticehurst, Sussex, UK. In his lifetime, he had written some well-known hymn tunes, two of which we sing to this day: “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.”

22nd January, 1915

Death at Highland Falls, New York, of hymnwriter Anna Bartlett Warner, most famous for the chidren’s hymn “Jesus Loves Me.”

22nd January, 1918

Death in Jewett City, Connecticut, of Mary Haughton Brown, a Baptist teacher and hymnwriter. Most famous of her hymns had been “I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go.” Her death was caused by the infamous influenza pandemic that killed millions world-wide that winter.

22nd January, 1936

Death of Liang Xiaochu, one of the most influential Chinese Christian leaders in the early part of the twentieth century. He had greatly increased YMCA membership but watered down its Christian component and stressed character and education instead.

22nd January, 1949

On this day in Christian History, Death in Wyoming of John Roberts, Episcopal priest and missionary to the Shoshone and Arapahoe Indians of Wyoming. He had been notable for his efforts to preserve the culture and languages of the tribes, translating the Bible into two Indian languages.

22nd January, 1973

To the extreme disappointment of many Christian groups, the United States Supreme Court hands down the Roe v. Wade decision that allows abortion even in cases where it is not necessary to save a mother’s life.

22nd January, 2026

• On this day in Christian History, the Mountain Top University, founded by Dr.D.K. Olukoya of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, held its 11th Matriculation Ceremony into the 2026/2027 Academic Session. The ceremony held by 10:00AM (WAT) at the Multipurpose Hall, Prayer City, Ibafo.
• On this day in Christian History, at exactly 12:00PM (WAT), Minister Mary Ayomiku Alabi Bantale released the new song titled “Ayo” featuring her biological mother, Evangelist Tope Alabi and Minister BBO.

22nd January, 2027