June 28

Leo II served as pope from August 682 until his death in June 683. He ratified the acts of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, reinforcing condemnation of monothelitism. Despite his short pontificate, he was praised for his piety and administrative efficiency. He improved the organization of the Roman Church and cared for the poor of the city. Leo II was buried in St. Peter's Basilica, leaving a reputation of devout commitment to church unity. His legacy influenced later reforms under his successors.

Paul I ascended to the papacy in 757, succeeding his brother Stephen II. He continued the alliance with the Frankish King Pepin the Short, securing military support against the Lombards. Paul I organized defenses around Rome and the Papal States to protect church lands. He convened synods to address ecclesiastical discipline and promoted church-building projects. Paul refused to surrender territories to Lombard demands, demonstrating his resolve. He died in 767 and was later revered for his steadfast leadership and dedication to the church's autonomy.

Cyneweard served as the bishop of Wells, an important see in the Anglo-Saxon church, until his death in 975. Records suggest he managed land holdings and oversaw ecclesiastical courts in his diocese. He supported monastic communities and contributed to the upkeep of cathedral buildings. His tenure occurred during a period of political turbulence and Viking threats in England. While little personal information survives, his episcopacy is noted in church annals. Cyneweard's legacy lies in the continuity he provided to the Wells bishopric during challenging times.

Born in 1861 in Mérida, Febres-Cordero entered the Dominican convent and committed her life to religious service. In 1917, she established the Congregation of the Dominicans of the Presentation to educate girls and support the poor. She founded schools, orphanages, and community centers across Venezuela, providing opportunities for marginalized communities. Her leadership and spiritual guidance earned her widespread respect within and beyond ecclesiastical circles. Febres-Cordero’s institutions continue her mission of faith-driven education and social outreach.

Bishop Leontine T. Kelly (1920-2012) made history in 1984 as the first African-American woman elected bishop in the United Methodist Church. She began her career as a teacher and lay leader before answering her call to ministry in the 1960s. Serving the San Francisco and Los Angeles Area Conferences, she championed racial and gender equality within the church. Kelly authored books on faith and leadership, including 'Ordained Women in the Church'. Celebrated for her pastoral care and advocacy, she traveled internationally to support United Methodist missions. Her legacy continues to inspire women and people of color in church leadership.