Faith Through the Ages - Today in Religious History
Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is celebrated on this day for his work in bringing Christianity to the country and driving out snakes. He is known for using the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
Pope Innocent IV was crowned on this day, beginning his 12-year papacy. He is known for his conflicts with the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and for issuing the papal bull 'Etsi non apostolica' which condemned certain practices of the Inquisition.
Pope Alexander VI issued the papal bull 'Inter Caetera', which granted Spain the rights to colonize the Americas and gave it control over any lands not already under the control of a Christian ruler. This bull would have significant impacts on the colonial expansion and conflicts of the era.
Hendrick ter Hoorne, a Dutch Anabaptist, was executed for his religious beliefs. He is considered one of the earliest Anabaptist martyrs in the Dutch Republic during a period of persecution against the Anabaptist movement.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South was founded on this day as a separate denomination from the Methodist Episcopal Church due to disagreements over the issue of slavery. This split would have lasting impacts on the Methodist church in the United States.