August 12

Jænberht served as Archbishop of Canterbury from 765 until his death in 792. As leader of the English Church, he fiercely defended ecclesiastical independence against the expanding power of Mercia. He refused to crown Offa's son Ecgfrith, leading to a bitter dispute that saw the division of the archdiocese. Jænberht was a patron of monasteries and scholarly learning, influencing the religious landscape of Anglo-Saxon England. His tenure exemplified the tension between Church and state in the early medieval period.

Born Francesco della Rovere in 1414 in Liguria, Italy. Elected Pope Sixtus IV in 1471 and served until 1484. Commissioned the construction of the Sistine Chapel and its iconic frescoes. Expanded the Vatican Library and established the Vatican Archives. Supported the Spanish monarchs in creating the Spanish Inquisition in 1478. Elevated many nephews to cardinalates, exemplifying papal nepotism. Patronized artists such as Botticelli and Pinturicchio, fostering Renaissance art. Died in 1484, his papacy marked by both artistic achievement and controversy.

Pope Innocent XI, born Benedetto Odescalchi in 1611, led the Catholic Church during a time of significant political and religious upheaval. He implemented financial reforms within the Papal States and sought to reduce nepotism among the clergy. A staunch opponent of the French monarchy's encroachment on church authority, he resisted Louis XIV's Gallicanism policies. Innocent XI was also a patron of the arts and supported scholarship by commissioning architectural works and establishing charitable institutions. His diplomatic efforts helped form the Holy League against Ottoman expansion, culminating in the victory at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Revered for his personal piety and integrity, he was beatified in 1956.

Isaac Bonewits was a pioneering figure in contemporary Druidism, blending scholarly research with spiritual practice. He authored influential books such as "Real Magic" and "Bonewits's Essential Guide to Druidism," which remain standard references in Neo-Pagan studies. In 1983, he established Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF), one of the largest Druidic organizations in North America, promoting community rituals and public education. Bonewits also advocated for religious freedom, successfully campaigning for legal recognition of modern Pagan faiths in the United States. His engaging lectures and writings fostered a global network of practitioners, leaving an enduring legacy in the study and practice of Celtic spirituality.

Meshulim Feish Lowy served as the Grand Rebbe of the Tosh Hasidic dynasty, guiding his followers through post-war challenges. Born in Hungary in 1921, he survived the Holocaust and emigrated to Canada, where he established the Tosh community in Quebec. Renowned for his deep scholarship, he authored influential works on Kabbalah and Jewish law. Lowy's leadership combined tradition with compassion, fostering a tight-knit community. His legacy endures through his writings and the vibrant Tosh congregation he nurtured.