November 11

Arsacius of Tarsus was born in 324 and later became the archbishop of Tarsus. He served as a leading ecclesiastical authority in Cappadocia during the 5th century. He was involved in key theological discussions of the early Christian church. His tenure as archbishop witnessed debates over Christology and church governance. He died in 405, leaving a lasting impact on the regional church community.

Yazid I was born in 647 as the son of the first Umayyad caliph, Muawiyah I. He succeeded his father in 680 and became the second caliph of the Umayyad dynasty. His reign saw significant internal conflicts, including the tragic Battle of Karbala in 680. These events deepened divisions within the early Muslim community. Yazid I died in 683 and was succeeded by his son, Muawiyah II.

Petronas served as a leading general in the mid-9th century Byzantine military. He is best known for his decisive victory against Arab forces at the Battle of Lalakaon in 863. This victory halted Arab incursions into Byzantine territory. He held high military rank and was instrumental in securing the empire’s eastern borders. Petronas died in 865, leaving a legacy as one of Byzantium’s effective commanders.

Born in 785, Antony became a monk in the Byzantine Empire and embraced a rigorous asceticism. He gained a reputation for piety and was later ordained as a priest. Antony lived as a hermit in the mountains near Constantinople, attracting disciples and pilgrims. He was canonized as a saint, and his life inspired hagiographical accounts. He died in 865, remembered for his devotion and influence on Eastern Orthodox monasticism.

Teutberga’s exact birth date is uncertain, but she became queen consort of Lotharingia through her marriage to Lothar II. Her marriage was later embroiled in controversy when Lothar sought to divorce her to marry his mistress. The ensuing dispute involved both secular and ecclesiastical authorities, highlighting tensions over marriage laws. Teutberga successfully appealed to the Pope, and her case set precedents for church involvement in royal marriages. She died in 875, remembered as a steadfast queen who defended her position and royal dignity.

Born in 960, Constantine VIII was crowned co-emperor alongside his brother Basil II in infancy. He spent decades as a junior partner until he became sole emperor at age 65 in 1025. His brief three-year reign was largely peaceful but criticized for administrative neglect. He struggled to secure a male heir and relied on alliances through his daughters. He died in 1028, marking the end of his dynasty’s male line and paving the way for new rulers.

Details of Udo of Nellenburg’s early life are scarce, but he was appointed Archbishop of Trier. He served during a period of significant church reform and asserted ecclesiastical authority. Udo navigated tensions between secular rulers and the papacy over clerical appointments. He worked to implement reforms that strengthened the moral and administrative standards of his clergy. He died in 1078, leaving a legacy as a reform-minded prelate in medieval Germany.

Peter Igneus was a 11th-century Benedictine monk known for his strict adherence to monastic discipline. He served as abbot and was respected for promoting spiritual revival within his community. Legend holds that he proved his innocence through an ordeal by fire, earning his surname Igneus. He worked to combat simony and uphold clerical integrity in the Italian church. He died in 1089, remembered as a model of monastic virtue and ecclesiastical reform.

Born around 1080, Teresa was the illegitimate daughter of King Alfonso VI of León. She married Henry of Burgundy and became Countess of Portugal by marriage. After her husband’s death in 1112, Teresa ruled the county as regent for their young son, Afonso Henriques. Her governance laid the foundations for Portugal’s eventual independence from León. She died in 1130, remembered for her political acumen and role in Portugal’s early history.

William II was born in 1153 and ascended to the Sicilian throne in 1166 at age 13. His reign was marked by internal peace, economic prosperity, and religious tolerance. He patronized the arts and oversaw construction projects, including the Cathedral of Monreale. William earned the epithet "the Good" for his fair administration and protection of minorities. He died childless in 1189, and his death led to a succession crisis in the Kingdom of Sicily.

Peter III of Aragon, also known as Peter the Great, ruled as King of Aragon from 1276 until his death in 1285. He was born in 1239 to James I of Aragon and Eleanor of Castile. Early in his reign, he forged strong alliances with the Papacy and other European powers to secure his position. Peter led a successful military campaign in Sicily, which expanded his realm and influence across the Mediterranean. He reorganized the royal administration and promoted trade, contributing to the prosperity of his territories. His patronage of Catalan culture helped the region flourish artistically and intellectually. Peter died in 1285, leaving a legacy as a determined warrior king who reshaped medieval politics in southern Europe.

Born around 1285, Stefan Uroš III inherited the Serbian throne in 1321 after years of exile. He reformed the legal code to strengthen royal authority and improve justice. Stefan led Serbian forces to a decisive victory at the Battle of Velbazhd in 1330, which enhanced Serbia's standing in the Balkans. His reign saw the expansion of Serbian influence and increased prosperity through trade. He maintained close relations with the Orthodox Church, supporting the construction of monasteries and churches. Stefan’s rule laid the groundwork for the eventual rise of the Serbian empire under his successors. He died in 1331 under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a more unified and powerful Serbia.