Two Saints, One Islam
For some reason, the saints on these two days in mid-March, buried in the midst of these Lenten days, have had some connection with Islam: March 12th was the commemoration of Saint Theophanes the Chronicler (ca. 758 – 818), from a noble Byzantine family, who used his wealth to set up his own monastery – must be nice! – and live a life dedicated to God. During the iconclastic crisis – wherein images were deemed sacrilegious and smashed – he was an avowed iconodule, one who rightly venerated icons, as a great aid in our devotion to those whom they represent. He signed the decrees to that effect at the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, which taught that images were not only permitted, but to be supported. Theophanes is famous for his ‘Chronicles’, a history of the Church from the mid-3rd century to his own time, a very useful document, even if, like many such in those days, and our own, it contained any number of inaccuracies. We will always be sifting the truth. It was His connection to Islam is that Theophanes who first mentioned that Mohammad was an epileptic, which may to some extent explain his false visions. Our saint did die a martyr, not from Islam, but at the hands of his own emperor, Leo V the Armenian, who revived iconoclasm, and imprisoned Theophanes under harsh conditions to get him to sign on board with his heresy. The saint refused, and was eventually exiled after his brutal treatment, dying seventeen days later.
Saint Roderick (+857) was a priest in Spain during the era of its domination by Islam, and is counted amongst the martyrs of Cordoba. The Muslims – Moors – would generally tolerate Christians as second-class citizens – dhimmi – subject to various restrictions and taxation. Father Roderick had two brothers, one Muslim, the other with no religion, who quarreled. Like Moses, Roderick intervened, and they both turned on him, beating him senseless. When he awoke, the Muslim reported that Roderick had converted to Islam. When the priest said he had no such thing, it was to no avail – he was falsely convicted as an apostate Muslim, the penalty for which in sharia law was death, and so beheaded.
We may pray to them both, to intercede for what peace God wills, as we journey towards the eschaton, when the truth will be manifest. +
A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop
As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→
Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk
(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→
Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk
As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→
Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→
Payette’s Payout
I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→
Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów
We celebrate Saint Stanislaus today (+ April 11, 1079), in light of this Easter Octave, a bishop and martyr who accepted the episcopacy only at the direct order of Pope Alexander II. He proved a wise and courageous leader of his flock, put to death by his own king, Boleslaus, for rebuking the monarch’s ‘immoral[…]Continue reading→
Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland
Catholic Action in Poland has issued a formal statement appealing to the President of the Republic of Poland to pardon Weronika Krawczyk—convicted for warning other women against an abortion-performing gynaecologist. Catholic Action (AK) emphasizes that no apology is owed to a doctor who has performed numerous abortions and proposed others; furthermore, the organization considers the[…]Continue reading→
Three Easter Musical Gems: Bach, Palestrina and Byrd
A very blessed and glorious Easter! Christus surrexit vere, alleluia! As we begin this Easter Octave with the great Solemnity of Easter, music to lift the soul would be one of Bach’s Easter cantatas, composed during his time at Leipzig in the early 1700’s, for the six Sundays of this festive season, leading up to[…]Continue reading→
Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness
Today, April 4th, muted this year by Holy Saturday, is the commemoration of Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) a bishop and doctor of the Church during a tumultuous age, when civilization was crumbling, coming apart at its very seams, which may sound sort of au courant. Then again, the form of this world has always[…]Continue reading→
An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday
The time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is one of waiting, in silence, as the world wonders – anticipates – what will happen, after the death of Christ. We re-live this time each year in the anamnesis of our liturgy, and in turn look forward to the glorious re-creation of all things at the[…]Continue reading→