Category: Character formation
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November 8: The Bodleian Library
I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately on the history of libraries, the level of literacy in the ancient and medieval world, and the manufacture of papyrus, parchment, scrolls, and codices. It’s a fascinating study, and sometimes painful, especially when the histories recount the destruction of libraries through deliberate acts or simply neglect and…
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November 1: The Feast of All Saints
Today is the Feast of All Saints, observed by many Christian denominations and as a national holiday in many countries. The celebration dates back to the fourth century, when a feast day in mid-May commemorated all Christian martyrs. By the eighth century, the date had shifted to November 1 and the feast was celebrated throughout…
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October 30: Lucas Watzenrode
On this date in 1447, Lucas Watzenrode was born. A nobleman from Weizenrodau in Poland, he studied theology at universities in Krakow, Cologne, and Bolona, became a priest and then bishop under Pope Innocent VIII, and in a political compromise between the King of Poland and the Pope, became Prince-Bishop of Warmia, an autonomous Bishop.…