31st March: Today in Christian History

31st March, 1376

On this day in Christian History, Gregory XI issues an interdict against the city of Florence, which had joined a league to abolish the pope’s secular power. This interdict gives anyone the right to plunder the city and to make slaves of its people wherever they might be found.

31st March, 1492

On this day in Christian History, Queen Isabella, having compelled Muslims to convert to Christianity or leave Spain, now signs a similar decree relating to her Jewish subjects, ordering them to convert to Christianity or face expulsion. It will not actually be issued for another month and will allow three months for compliance.

31st March, 1515

On this day in Christian History, Needing money to rebuild St. Peter’s basilica, Pope Leo X announces a sale of indulgences to run for eight years beginning this day. Albert of Brandenberg, deeply in debt after purchasing his position as archbishop, is allowed to keep half the proceeds, but will not profit as greatly as he hopes because the indulgence will anger the friar Martin Luther, who will post his Ninety-Five Theses in response. The Reformation will result.

31st March, 1631

On this day in Christian History, a metaphysical poet, John Donne, died. In his lifetime, he was the Dean of St. Paul’s. Among his most famous poems, one began with the words “Death be not proud.”

31st March, 1748

On this day in Christian History, Isaac Backus was called to be pastor to Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He later became a notable Baptist evangelist and an advocate of religious freedom.

March 31, 1783

On this day in Christian history which fell on Easter Sunday, Fra Junipero Serra found San Buenaventura, the ninth Spanish mission in California.

31st March, 1799

On this day in Christian History, Missionary and physician, Johannes Van Der Kemp reaches South Africa. He studied the Xhosa and Khoikhoi languages and outrage European opinion by marrying a young African woman.

March 31, 1816

Death near Fredericksburg of Francis Asbury, one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. He had preached his last sermon in Richmond, Virginia, just a week earlier.

March 31, 1836

Death in Hastings, Sussex, England, of Anglican bishop Henry Ryder, the first of the 19th-century evangelicals to become a bishop of the Church of England.

March 31, 1879

On this day in Christian History, Death in Moscow of Russian Orthodox archbishop John Veniaminov (St. Innocent of Alaska), a missionary evangelist to Alaska and archbishop of the far western territories of Russia. He had also served as Metropolitan of Moscow.

31st March, 1901

On this day in Christian History, Death in Verona, Italy, of John Stainer, composer of much church music, including the cantata The Crucifixion.

March 31, 1945

On this day in Christian History, Mother Maria” Skobtsova was executed at the gas chamber in Ravensbrück. An unconventional nun of the Orthodox Church, she was famous for helping “down and out” people, including Jews persecuted by Nazi conquerors in France. She was declared a saint in 2004.

March 31, 2011

Death of Tanzanian evangelist Yohana Zebedayo who worked with the Africa Inland Church, preaching Christ-centered sermons.