September 13

According to tradition, Marcellinus lived in early 5th-century Carthage and faced execution for refusing to renounce his Christian beliefs. The exact historical details of his martyrdom remain scarce, but his steadfastness inspired early North African Christians. Over time, devotion to him spread, and he was commemorated for his courage and piety. His feast day is observed on September 13th in certain liturgical calendars. Despite the lack of documentation, Marcellinus endures as a symbol of enduring faith in the face of oppression.

Born into the Eóganachta dynasty, Cormac mac Cuilennáin combined his roles as Bishop of Cashel with that of King of Munster in the early 10th century. A patron of learning, he commissioned the encyclopedic 'Cormac’s Glossary,' which remains a key source for Old Irish language studies. In 908, Cormac led his forces against Leinster troops at the Battle of Belach Mughna, where he was killed in combat. His unusual status as both cleric and monarch underscored the interplay between church and kingship in medieval Ireland. Venerated as a saint after his death, his feast day is March 17th in some traditions. Cormac’s life reflects the cultural flowering of Gaelic Ireland and the complexities of early medieval rulership.

Born in 1151, Al-Adid ascended the Fatimid throne as a child, with actual power exercised by powerful viziers. During his minority and youth, the state faced severe factional rivalries and external pressure from Crusader states. Saladin, initially serving as his vizier, gradually consolidated military and administrative authority in Egypt. In 1171, Saladin abolished the Fatimid Caliphate and realigned the region under the Sunni Abbasid Caliphate, bringing an end to a Shi'a dynasty that had ruled since 909. Al-Adid died later that year, marking the close of a tumultuous chapter in medieval Islamic history. His brief and constrained reign highlights the complex interplay of religion and politics in the Near East.

Born around 1265 in Tyrol, Notburga served as a cook and servant in a noble household, yet she was renowned for secretly distributing food and alms to needy peasants. Her acts of charity often brought her into conflict with her employers, but she persisted in aiding the poor. Following her death in 1313, numerous miracles were attributed to her intercession, leading to widespread veneration. She was canonized by the Catholic Church and became a patron saint of domestic servants and agricultural workers. Her feast day is celebrated on September 13th, with shrines across Tyrol honoring her life. Notburga’s legacy endures as an emblem of humility and Christian charity.

Born in 1895 in Sainte-Élizabeth-de-Warwick, Tessier was ordained as a priest and devoted himself to preserving French-Canadian heritage. He authored numerous historical works on the Outaouais region, combining scholarly research with engaging narratives. As a filmmaker, he produced educational documentaries that highlighted Quebec's landscapes and traditions. His innovative use of cinema for cultural preservation earned him recognition as a trailblazer in Quebecois film. Tessier's interdisciplinary legacy continues to influence historians and filmmakers in Canada.

Whakahuihui Vercoe was born in 1928 and ordained as an Anglican priest in his youth. He served as Bishop of Aotearoa and was elected Archbishop in 1990, becoming the first Māori to hold the position. Vercoe was a passionate advocate for indigenous rights and cultural recognition within the church. He chaired the Māori Anglican Hui Amorangi and worked to integrate Māori language and traditions into worship. His leadership extended beyond the church as he engaged in national discussions on social justice and reconciliation. Vercoe's influence is celebrated for strengthening the voice of Māori Christians in New Zealand.