25th March, 304
On this day in Christian History, Agape, Chioma, and Irene, three sisters, are seized at Thessalonica during Diocletian’s persecution. The three will be burned—Irene after shameful exposure.
25th March, 717
On this day in Christian History, Leo III was crowned emperor in the church of St. Sophia in Constantinople. He will bring much-needed reforms, beat back the Saracens, and restore Byzantium as a power able to stand seven hundred years longer. He will also support the iconoclast movement.
25th March, 815
On this day in Christian History, in defiance of Emperor Leo, who rejects the use of icons, Theodore the Studite has his monks march on Palm Sunday through their monastery vineyard in Constantinople, holding up icons so that they can be seen over the walls, eliciting a rebuke from the emperor.
25th March, 1409
On this day in Christian History, The Council of Pisa meets to depose rival popes and elect a third, who will call himself Alexander V. Since neither of the other two will accept the council’s authority, there will now be three popes instead of two.
25th March, 1420
On this day in Christian History, Jan Ziska defeated the soldiers of Sigismund at the Battle of Sudomer, the second major battle of the Hussite wars.
25th March, 1586
On this day in Christian History, Martyrdom of Margaret Clitherow (a Roman Catholic) at York, England, by crushing beneath a heavy oak door. She had hidden Catholic priests but refused to enter a plea so that her children would not be forced to testify under torture at a trial. As her ribs crack she cries, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Have mercy on me.” Her body will be left under the weights for six hours then stuffed secretly in a rubbish heap.
25th March, 1632
On this day in Christian History, Antoine Daniel sailed for New France where he became one of eight Jesuits who were martyred.
25th March, 1643
On this day in Christian History, John Eudes established the Society of Jesus and Mary for the education of priests and for missionary work.
25th March, 1783
On this day in Christian History, Five Anglican clergymen gathered secretly at Woodbury, Connecticut, and choose Samuel Seabury as their prospective bishop. He had to sail to Britain to obtain ordination.
25th March, 1821
On this day in Christian History, Metropolitan Germanos of Patra blessed the fighters at Agia Lavra and hoisted the flag of the Greek War of Independence from Turkish rule in St. George’s Square at Patrai. His charisma encouraged the Greek fighters.
25th March, 1874
On this day in Christian History, Bishop Joseph A. Beebe writes a letter to the Index concerning the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in North Carolina: “Time has shown that we are not a political Church. Our aim is the glory of God and the salvation of the souls of men. The peaceable manner of our Church has won for us the confidence of the majority of the most intelligent people of our State.”
25th March, 1883
On this day in Christian History, Sister Elizabeth Fedde sails from Norway to New York where she will establish a deaconness ministry.
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