March 17th is the Feast Day of St. Gertrude of Nivelles. She is the patron saint of cats, poor people, gardeners and widows. After the death of her father Pepin of Landen, Mayor of the Palace of the Kingdom of Austrasia, St. Gertrude's mother, St Itta of Metz, founded the Abbey of Nivelles in Belgium. St. Gertrude was the double monastery's first abbess.
Ethiopian Orthodox icon of Theotokos St. Mary and Christ Child.
In the late 5th century Ethiopian king Ezana made Christianity the state religion. He was baptized by the first Ethiopian bishop, St. Frumentius.
With about 15 minutes to spare my time I remembered Mother Monday. Holy Mary, Mother of G_d with children.
December 31st is known as as Saint Sylvester's Day, also known as Silvester and Saint Sylvester Feast Day. Tradition holds that Pope Sylvester I was responsible for the conversion of the Roman emperor Constantine I.
Saint Sylvester's Feast Day is celebrated fireworks, going to a theater, partying and a Watchnight mass at midnight.
Some countries have their own traditions for this day. Like in Vienna, Austria some people walk pigs on a leash for good luck.
In Brazil there is Saint Silvester Road Race, the country's oldest and most prestigious running street race. It is dedicated to Saint Sylvester.
In Italy the eating of lentils and sliced sausage is said to bring wealth and prosperity from the former and the latter symbolizes progress and abundance.
December 29th is the feast day of Saint Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury.
He was assassinated in 1170 by four knights of King Henry II of England. This is because Thomas Becket and the King had a long standing difference on clergy and secular punishment. The feud escalated with the king seizing lands and Becket excommunicating three bishops who crowned the junior king, Henry the Young, in Westminster Cathedral. This was a breach of Canterbury's privilege of coronation.
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| Thomas รก Becket rose |
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| The Murder of St. Thomas Becket |
Saint John the Evangelist, patron saint of love, loyalty, friendship and authors.
December 26th is Saint Stephen's Day. The day commemorates the martyrdom of the first saint, Saint Stephen.
