May 24

John Jewel (1522–1571) was a prominent bishop of Salisbury and key figure in the establishment of the Church of England under Queen Elizabeth I. Educated at Oxford, he became known for his eloquent sermons and writings defending Anglican theology against Roman Catholic critics. His treatise Apologia Ecclesiae Anglicanae set out the beliefs and practices of the English Church and influenced religious debate across Europe. Jewel served as chaplain to Thomas Cranmer and later held the bishopric of Salisbury, where he implemented reforms in his diocese. He attended the Convocation of 1563 and worked to unify church doctrine and discipline. Jewel died while traveling on official business and was commemorated for his scholarship and devotion. His legacy endures in Anglican liturgy and historical accounts of the Reformation.

Abraham Geiger was born in 1810 and became a leading figure in the Reform Judaism movement. Trained in seminary, he challenged traditional Jewish laws and rituals, advocating modernization and ethical monotheism. Geiger's scholarly works on Jewish liturgy, history, and biblical studies laid the groundwork for progressive Jewish thought. He collaborated with peers to establish new prayer books and educational reforms. His emphasis on historical criticism influenced later academic approaches to religious texts. Geiger died in 1874, remembered as a transformative religious thinker.

Born in Paris in 1933, Aharon Lichtenstein studied under Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik at Yeshiva University, earning ordination in 1955. He moved to Israel in 1968, where he co-led Yeshivat Har Etzion and taught advanced Talmudic studies. Renowned for bridging traditional Jewish law with modern thought, he authored numerous essays and books on philosophy and ethics. Lichtenstein also served as a professor at Yeshiva University’s Gruss Institute in Jerusalem. His scholarly contributions and leadership left a lasting impact on Jewish education and religious discourse.

Michael Jackson has been a prominent figure in the Church of Ireland for over three decades. He was ordained in 1981 and served in parish ministry before being consecrated Bishop of Clogher in 2002. In 2007, he became Bishop of Down and Dromore, focusing on youth engagement and community outreach. His appointment as Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough in 2011 marked the pinnacle of his ecclesiastical career. Jackson is respected for his commitment to ecumenical dialogue and pastoral innovation.