639day.year

Acarius

bishop of Doornik and Noyon

bishop of Doornik and Noyon
Early Frankish bishop of Doornik and Noyon remembered as a saint.
Acarius served as the bishop of Doornik and Noyon in the early 7th century, overseeing two important sees. He supported the growth of monastic communities and emphasized pastoral care among the faithful. Details of his life are scarce, but his leadership bolstered the Church in Frankish territories. Venerated as a saint after his death in 639, his feast day celebrates his spiritual legacy. Churches in northern France and Belgium bear his name in recognition of his contributions.
639 Acarius bishop of Doornik and Noyon
1346day.year

Saint Gregory of Sinai (born c. 1260)

Saint Gregory of Sinai (born c. 1260)
Byzantine monk and mystic who helped spread the practice of hesychasm.
Gregory of Sinai (c. 1260–1346) was a Byzantine monk and theologian renowned for his teachings on contemplative prayer. He studied under Saint Symeon the New Theologian before founding monastic communities on Mount Sinai and Mount Athos. Gregory emphasized hesychasm, a mystical tradition focusing on inner stillness and the Jesus Prayer. His writings and guidance profoundly influenced Eastern Orthodox spirituality and monasticism. He is venerated as a saint, with his teachings preserved in spiritual manuscripts and liturgical practices.
1346 Gregory of Sinai
2014day.year

Wanda Błeńska

(1911 - 2014)

Polish physician and missionary

Polish physician and missionary
Polish physician and missionary known for pioneering work treating leprosy patients in Uganda.
Wanda Błeńska was born in 1911 in Poznań, Poland. After earning her medical degree, she volunteered as a missionary doctor in Uganda in the 1950s. She led efforts at the Buluba Leprosy Hospital, improving care and rehabilitation for thousands of patients. Her compassionate approach combined medical treatment with social support, transforming community healthcare. Błeńska received numerous honors, including the Order of Polonia Restituta, for her humanitarian work. She authored memoirs recounting her experiences and advocated for global awareness of tropical diseases. She died in 2014 at age 103, revered as a pioneer in tropical medicine and human compassion.
2014 Wanda Błeńska