September 27

Born into the Pugu clan of Turkic origin, he rose through the ranks to become one of the Tang dynasty's most trusted commanders. He led successful campaigns against nomadic tribes and defended the empire's northwestern borders. Praised for his loyalty and military skill, he maintained stability in volatile frontier regions. Despite his achievements, tensions with the imperial court led to political strife later in his career. He died in 765, leaving a legacy as both a fearless warrior and a complex figure in Tang history.

Born in 867 into a prominent Korean noble family, Kyŏn Hwŏn founded the kingdom of Later Baekje in 900. He established his capital at Wansanju (modern Jeonju) and implemented administrative reforms to strengthen his rule. Known for his military prowess, he expanded his territory at the expense of neighboring states. Internal conflicts and a palace coup led by his sons forced him into exile. He sought refuge in the rival Goryeo court before his death in 936. Kyŏn Hwŏn is remembered as a dynamic ruler who shaped the Later Three Kingdoms period.

Vekenega led the Benedictine convent of St. Mary in Zadar during the early 12th century. Belonging to Croatian nobility, she was elected abbess and guided her community through political uncertainty. She managed the convent's affairs and ensured its spiritual and material prosperity. Under her leadership, the monastery expanded its influence and resources. She died in 1111, remembered for her piety and administrative skill.

Bonfilius served as bishop of Foligno, guiding his diocese with a commitment to church reform and moral integrity. He traveled widely to minister to the poor and sick, embodying compassion and charity. His leadership strengthened the local clergy and encouraged spiritual renewal. Pilgrims flocked to Foligno to seek his blessings and hear his teachings. He died in 1115 and was venerated as a saint for his exemplary holiness and service.

Born in 1095 into the influential House of Berg, Richeza married Duke Vratislaus II of Bohemia. As duchess, she fostered ties between Bohemia and the German nobility through strategic alliances. Following her husband's death, she acted as regent and managed court affairs for her young son. She supported monasteries and churches, enhancing the spiritual life of her realm. She died in 1125, leaving a legacy of political acumen and cultural patronage.

Born in 1125, Renaud de Courtenay inherited lands and titles in both England and Normandy. He navigated the complex loyalties between the English crown and Norman lords during King Henry II's reign. His family disputes and alliances shaped the regional balance of power. His descendants became prominent English nobility, including the earls of Devon. He died in 1194, remembered as a key figure in the Angevin realm's noble hierarchy.

Born in 1197, Raymond VII inherited the county amid religious and military turmoil in southern France. He led resistance efforts against the Albigensian Crusade to protect his lands and culture. After prolonged warfare, he negotiated the Treaty of Paris in 1229, ceding territories to the French crown. His rule balanced military defense with diplomatic concessions to preserve his dynasty. He died in 1249, leaving a contested legacy as both a warrior and a statesman.

Born around 1320, William of Wykeham rose from humble origins to become Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor. He served King Edward III, managing royal finances and overseeing legal reforms. He founded New College, Oxford, and Winchester College, shaping medieval education in England. His architectural projects at Windsor and Winchester demonstrated his vision and influence. He died in 1404, remembered as one of medieval England's most innovative churchmen and scholars.

Born in 1483, Felice della Rovere navigated the complexities of Roman politics as the daughter of Pope Julius II. She married into the powerful Orsini family and managed valuable estates in the Papal States. Her diplomatic skill secured her family's interests during turbulent papal transitions. A noted patron, she supported artists and humanists, contributing to the cultural flowering of the Renaissance. She died in 1536, leaving a lasting imprint on the Vatican's social and artistic spheres.

Born in 1536, Piotr Skarga studied theology in Kraków and Rome before joining the Society of Jesus. He served as royal preacher to King Sigismund III Vasa, addressing the political and moral issues of his time. His 'Sejm Sermons' criticized social corruption and urged reform within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Skarga championed the Catholic Counter-Reformation, reinforcing the Church's presence in Poland. He died in 1612, remembered as a passionate advocate for religious renewal and national integrity.

Born in Manila to a Chinese father and Filipino mother, Lorenzo Ruiz worked as a layman and calligrapher before embracing Catholicism. Falsely accused of murdering a priest, he fled to the Philippines and later to Japan during anti-Christian persecutions. Captured and tortured on Ōmura island, he endured brutal exile and imprisonment. Martyred by strangulation and drowning on September 27, 1637, for refusing to renounce his belief. Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1987, he remains the patron saint of the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora.

Born into the prominent Maidalchini family in 1591, Olimpia rose to prominence as the sister-in-law of Pope Innocent X. Leveraging her position, she managed papal finances and political appointments, earning both respect and controversy in Rome. Nicknamed "La Papessa," she was criticized for nepotism and her decisive hand in Vatican affairs. Her influence waned after the pope's death in 1655, and she spent her final years away from court life. Died on September 27, 1657, leaving a legacy of female power in a male-dominated era.