May 21

John Eliot was born in England in 1604 and emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1631. A Puritan missionary, he devoted his life to preaching Christianity to Native American tribes in New England. Eliot mastered the Massachusett language, producing the first complete Bible translation in an Indigenous American language in 1663. He founded several Praying Indian towns where converted Native Americans could live while practicing their faith. His publication of a grammar and dictionary of the Massachusett language helped preserve it for future generations. Eliot’s visionary efforts earned him recognition as one of the most influential religious figures in colonial America.

Otis Clark (1903–2012) was one of the last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa race riot, a violent event that destroyed the prosperous Black community of Greenwood. After surviving the massacre, Clark worked as a personal butler for Hollywood stars before dedicating his life to ministry. Ordained in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, he served congregations in California for over six decades. Clark became a powerful voice for racial healing, sharing his experiences in documentaries and public lectures. His sermons emphasized faith, forgiveness, and the importance of historical remembrance. Clark's life story inspired many to confront past injustices and work toward reconciliation.

Metropolitan Constantine of Irinoupolis (1936–2012) served as the Archbishop and later Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA from 1995 until his passing. Born Vasyl Oleksiychuk in Ukraine, he immigrated to the United States and pursued theological studies, earning a reputation for pastoral care and theological scholarship. Elevated to Metropolitan, he focused on expanding parishes, strengthening liturgical life, and fostering ecumenical relations with other Orthodox jurisdictions. Under his leadership, the church grew its charitable programs and cultural outreach. Metropolitan Constantine represented his community at international Orthodox conferences and worked to preserve Ukrainian religious traditions abroad. His tenure was marked by unity, spiritual renewal, and a commitment to serving the Ukrainian diaspora.