May 26

Born in Rome, Augustine was sent by Pope Gregory the Great in 597 to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons. He established his episcopal see at Canterbury and organized the early English Church. As the first Archbishop of Canterbury, he consecrated bishops and founded monasteries across Kent. His mission laid the foundations for Christianity in England and reshaped the religious landscape of the British Isles. Augustine's leadership earned him the title 'Apostle to the English', and he continued to guide the church until his death in 604. His legacy lives on in the enduring structures of English Christianity.

Born in 766 in Medina, Ali al-Ridha was a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He succeeded his father, Musa al-Kadhim, to become the eighth Imam of the Twelver Shia community. Known for his deep scholarship in theology and jurisprudence, he engaged in public debates at the Abbasid court. In 817, the caliph al-Ma'mun designated him as his successor, a controversial move that reflected Ali's influence. Ali al-Ridha's death in 818 in the city of Tus remains a subject of reverence and commemoration among Shia Muslims worldwide.

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was an influential religious reformer born in 1835 in India. In 1889, he claimed to be the Promised Messiah and established the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He authored over 80 works on theology, advocating for peaceful propagation of Islam and interfaith dialogue. His teachings emphasized rational faith and challenged traditional interpretations of scripture. Under his guidance, the movement expanded into Africa and Europe, reaching millions of followers. Ahmad's legacy endures through the global Ahmadiyya community, which continues his mission of peace and understanding.

Born in 1921, Baselios Thoma Didymos I was ordained as a priest before rising through the ranks of the Syriac Orthodox Church in India. In 2005, he was enthroned as Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, becoming the head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. During his tenure, he emphasized spiritual renewal, ecumenical dialogue, and social welfare programs in Kerala. He supported educational and healthcare initiatives for underprivileged communities and fostered ties with other Christian denominations. Didymos I also authored theological works and participated in international religious conferences. Revered for his humility and pastoral care, he led the church until his death in 2014. His legacy endures in the continued growth of the Jacobite community.