February 29

Born Alessandro Farnese in 1468 into a prominent Italian noble family. Elected pope in 1534, he convened the Council of Trent to address church reform. He strengthened the Roman Inquisition and reorganized church administration. As a patron of the arts, he commissioned works by Michelangelo and Titian. His papacy navigated the challenges of Protestantism and helped shape the Counter-Reformation. He died in 1549 after guiding the Church through pivotal changes.

Born in Florence in 1576, Antonio Neri was ordained as a priest but soon turned his attention to the art and science of glass. He studied at the Medici court and experimented with recipes for colored and clear glass. In 1612, he published 'L'Arte Vetraria', the first systematic guide to glassmaking techniques. Neri traveled to Venice to observe Venetian glassmakers and refined his methods. His treatise was translated into multiple languages and influenced European glass workshops. He introduced innovations such as lead glass and enameling, earning him a lasting reputation as a pioneer of modern glass technology. Neri died in 1614, just two years after his landmark publication.

Born in 1640 in Buckinghamshire, Benjamin Keach joined the Particular Baptists and became a prominent preacher in London. He was instrumental in forming early Baptist congregations and advocated believer's baptism. Keach authored numerous hymns, contributing to the modern Baptist hymn tradition. In 1693, he published Keach's Catechism, which outlined core Baptist beliefs and catechetical instruction. He faced persecution and imprisonment for his nonconformist views, yet continued to publish theological works. His writings shaped Baptist doctrine and practice well into the 18th century. Keach died in 1704, leaving a lasting influence on Baptist worship and education.

Born in 1736 in Manchester, Ann Lee experienced religious visions that led her to form the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, known as the Shakers. She emigrated to America with a small band of followers in 1774, establishing the first Shaker village in New York. Lee preached celibacy, equality of the sexes, and communal ownership, which defined Shaker society. Her charismatic leadership attracted converts despite persecution and hardship. The Shaker communities became known for their simple living, craftsmanship, and distinctive music. Ann Lee died in 1784, but her movement endured, influencing American religious life and utopian experiments.

Michael Henshall was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1953 and began his ecclesiastical career in parish ministry. He was appointed Suffragan Bishop of Hull in 1977, overseeing diocesan outreach and pastoral care for over 15 years. Known for his commitment to ecumenism, he led interfaith dialogues and community initiatives in East Riding of Yorkshire. Henshall authored theological reflections on church leadership and social responsibility. After retiring in 1994, he remained active in charitable organizations until his death in 2017.

Bartholomew I (born 1940) is the 270th Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, serving as the spiritual leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church since 1991. Born Dimitrios Arhondonis on the island of Imbros, he studied theology in Greece and was ordained a priest in 1964. He has been a vocal advocate for interfaith dialogue, environmental stewardship, and the rights of religious minorities. Under his leadership, the patriarchate has engaged with global religious leaders and addressed contemporary social issues. Bartholomew I is often referred to as the "Green Patriarch" for his efforts to raise awareness about environmental protection.

Nicholas Frayling (born 1944) is an English priest, theologian, and academic who served as Dean of Chichester Cathedral from 2002 to 2014. He was educated at Queens’ College, Cambridge, and ordained in the Church of England in 1968. Frayling has published scholarly works on religious history and Anglican liturgy. He has held academic posts at multiple universities and contributed to theological education. His leadership at Chichester was marked by community outreach, interfaith initiatives, and the preservation of the cathedral’s heritage.