December 13

Born on December 13, 1854, in Hoogeveen, Netherlands, Bavinck pursued studies at the Theological School in Kampen and Leiden University. His magnum opus, the four-volume 'Reformed Dogmatics', remains a cornerstone of systematic theology. Bavinck integrated philosophical insight with biblical scholarship, addressing modern challenges to faith. He taught at the Free University of Amsterdam, influencing both European and American seminarians. Bavinck’s works continue to be translated and studied in seminaries worldwide. He emphasized the harmony of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Bavinck died in 1921, leaving a lasting impact on Reformed theology and Christian scholarship.

Panagiotis Kanellopoulos was born in Patras, Greece in 1902 and studied law and philosophy at the University of Athens. He entered politics with the Liberal Party and held various ministerial posts in the 1930s and 1940s. Following World War II, he was appointed Prime Minister in April 1945 to oversee postwar reconstruction. An accomplished writer, he published works on history, political theory, and philosophy. Kanellopoulos advocated for democratic institutions and European cooperation. After the 1967 junta, he went into exile and continued his scholarly work until his death in 1986.