13th March: Today in Christian History

13th March, 452

On this day in Christian History, the Roman Emperor Marcian issued an edict against the Eutychians, whose teachings were seen to undermine Christ’s humanity and his ability to stand in our place.

13th March, 536

On this day in Christian History, Pope Agapetus issued a synodical letter in which he announced that he has deposed Anthimus, the monophysite patriarch of Constantinople. Emperor Justinian I appointed Menas patriarch of Constantinople in his place. Menas was be actively engaged in the issues of his day as an opponent of monophysitism and of Origen’s teachings, but was largely subservient to the Roman popes.

13th March, 846

On this day in Christian History, Eighteen years after the death in exile of Patriarch  Nicephorus, who had defended the use of icons, Empress Theodora has his body brought back to Constantinople with great pomp.

13th March, 857

On this day in Christian History, Ruderic and Salomon were executed in Cordoba on the charge of apostatizing from Islam.

13th March, 1569

On this day in Christian History, at the Battle of Jarnac, Marshal Gaspard de Tavannes defeats the Huguenots, whose leader, the prince de Condé, is killed in the aftermath.

March 13, 1604

Death in Rome of Cardinal d’Ossat who had served as a diplomat in behalf of France. He was instrumental in reconciling King Henry IV, formerly a Huguenot, to the pope, and his well-crafted diplomatic letters will serve as models to aspiring civil servants.

March 13, 1785

At the Burg-theatre, Vienna, Mozart’s cantata Davidde Penitente receives its first performance. This is called a “half-mass” because its ten movements include a Kyrie and Gloria. The work had been commissioned by the committee of the Society for the Relief of the Widows and Orphans of Musicians.

March 13, 1895

Death in England of Robert William Dale who worked vigorously to improve health, housing, sanitation and living conditions in Birmingham, England. The clergyman had been an advocate of free public education, social improvement, the extension of the voting franchise, the recognition of trades unions, and understanding the links between poverty and crime.

March 13, 1904

Located on the Argentina-Chile border as a memorial to peace, the bronze Christ of the Andes statue is dedicated.

13th March, 1925

On this day in Christian History, The State of Tennessee passes House Bill No. 185, the “Butler Bill” prohibiting any teaching that contradicts the Genesis creation account. It wins signed by the governor on March 25th and this led to the Scopes Monkey Trial the following July.

13th March, 2002

On this day in Christian History, Yusuf Jatau died. In his lifetime, he was a popular radio preacher in the Hausa language, and for fifty years a mission leader of the Nigerian Baptist Convention. He had extended Baptist work in the northern regions of the country, many times escaping death at the hands of enemies only through the grace of God.

13th March, 2012

On this day in Christian History, Although it is a government-approved church, the Three-Self Church in Dafeng County, Jangsu Province, China, is demolished by the Chinese government. A Christian woman at the site is beaten so severely her back is broken. 

13th March, 2013

On this day in Christian History, Conclave elects Argentine-born Jorge Mario Bergoglio to be pope of the Roman Catholic Church, the first pope from the Americas. He takes the name Francis.