March 22

Born in the mid-14th century, Dietrich of Nieheim served as a bishop in the Catholic Church and as a canon of Würzburg. He witnessed the turmoil of the Western Schism and penned detailed accounts of the conflict between rival popes. His works, including the De schismate and De iusto imperio, remain important sources for understanding medieval church politics. Dietrich combined his ecclesiastical duties with scholarly pursuits, demonstrating keen legal and historical insight. He died in 1418, leaving behind a legacy as both a cleric and an influential historian.

John Kemp's early career saw him rise through the church hierarchy, serving as Bishop of Rochester and London. He was appointed Lord Chancellor in 1432 and later became Archbishop of York. In 1452, he was named Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest clerical office in England. Kemp played a key role in the political conflicts of the Wars of the Roses, advising King Henry VI. He died in 1454, remembered as a skilled administrator and influential church leader.

Born in 1488, Johannes Magnus became Archbishop of Uppsala and served the Catholic Church during the Reformation. Exiled from Sweden in 1527, he settled in Rome and continued his ecclesiastical work. He is best known for his two-volume Historia de omnibus Gothorum Sueonumque regibus, a historical and legendary account of Swedish kings. His writings influenced national identity and sparked interest in Scandinavian heritage. Johannes died in Rome in 1544, leaving a legacy as both a theologian and historian.

Born in East Windsor, Connecticut in 1703, Edwards graduated from Yale College at age 17. He served as a Congregationalist minister known for his vivid and powerful sermons, most famously 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God'. His writings on original sin, free will, and divine sovereignty helped shape American Protestant theology. In 1758, he became president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) shortly before his death. Edwards's philosophical essays also contributed to Enlightenment thought on religion and ethics.

Ahmed Yassin was an imam and spiritual leader who co-founded Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist movement that emerged in the late 1980s. Despite being paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, he became a powerful symbol of resistance and religious devotion. Under his guidance, Hamas grew into a significant political and social force in Palestinian society, providing social services and mounting political campaigns. His blend of religious teachings and activism resonated with many who sought an alternative to secular movements. Yassin's legacy remains contentious yet central to understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of religious activism.