In June we remember two events that mark great professions of doctrine that happened around 1200 years apart. We also remember many martyrs who died confessing this true faith and preaching the Gospel. However, it is still a large mix of people from the Old Testament, New Testament, and beyond, including laymen and apostles, men and women, from many vocations. We see how Christ has called into His body the Church people from all places into saving faith in Him.
June 1: Justin, Martyr
Justin (c. 100 – c. 165), also known as Justin Martyr, was an early Christian apologist and martyr. Justin was raised and educated as a pagan. He studied in various philosophical schools (which often had religious overtones) seeking the truth. His conversion came as a result of an elderly man suggesting he read the Prophets and Apostles to find the truth. The Holy Spirit worked through the Word to bring Justin to faith. As an apologist Justin wrote much in defense of the Christian faith before both Jews and pagans who made spurious claims against the faith. Of his writings, three survive: The Apology, written to the Emperor Antonius Pius; The Second Apology, written to the Senate; and Dialogue with Trypho, a defense of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah. In his defense of the faith to Antonius, Justin gives the outline of the Divine Service, proving that while it was done in secret, there was nothing evil happening. Much of what Justin describes is still done today in our service. Justin serves as an example for all Christians in being able to give an answer for the hope within us.
But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you.
1 Peter 3:15
June 2: The Martyrs of Lyons
The Martyrs of Lyons (AD 177) were 48 Christians of Lyons and Vienne who were martyred for their faith in modern Lyons, France. Leading up to the mass execution on June 2, 177 Christians in Lyons were forbidden to be in the marketplace, in the public baths, and even in the general public. If they were found outside of their homes they were beaten, robbed, mocked, and ridiculed. At this time many Christian homes were vandalized and even destroyed. Eventually the government endorsed this persecution by charging the Christians with cannibalism (because of the Eucharist) and incest (because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ). Church leaders and prominent Christians were tortured and eventually put to death in the arena. Only some names have been passed on from the 48: Pothinus, Sanctus, Attalus, Maturus, and Blandina. Through their example, the Lord has demonstrated His grace in that even in mass persecution He keeps His saints steadfast in the true faith.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Matthew 5:11
June 4: Clothilde, Christian Ruler
Clothilde (c. 474 – 545) was a princess of Burgundy and wife of the Franksih king Clovis I and is remembered for her role in the conversion of her husband and her works of mercy. Although Clothilde was a Christian she was married to the pagan Clovis. As a faithful Christian mother, she had her children baptized, even though Clovis was opposed to it. Eventually, after much prayer for her husband and through her witness, the Holy Spirit brought Clovis to faith. With Clovis’ conversion, many of the other Frankish leaders followed suit and a Christian pastors and missionaries were given great freedom in spreading the faith throughout the realm. Clothilde is also remembered for her great works of charity and mercy towards the poor in their midst, using her wealth to the benefit of her neighbours. She is thus a good example for Christians who have unbelieving family members because of her persistent prayer, as well as for all Christians for her faith and stewardship.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is vapor that vanishes, but a woman who fears the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for the fruit of her hands, and let her accomplishments praise her in the city gates.
Proverbs 31:30-31
June 5: Boniface of Mainz, Missionary to the Germans
Boniface (c. 675 – June 5, 754) was an Anglo-Saxon missionary to the German peoples and eventually, Bishop of Mainz. Boniface was from a well-off family in Anglo-Saxon England and against his father’s wishes pursued theological study and joined a monastery. In 716 Boniface went on a missionary journey to Frisia. After difficulty there due to war, Boniface continued his work in Hesse and Bavaria. After cutting down an oak tree, seen as sacred by the German pagans and dedicated to Thor, Boniface was able to prove that the gods of the Germans were powerless and empty. As a result of this many came to the true faith. Boniface appealed to the Anglo-Saxons in England to help their pagan kin and many supplies, funds, books, and missionaries were sent to help Boniface. During all of this, Boniface also helped lead reforms in the Frankish Church. He was martyred on June 5, 754 when he and those travelling with them were attacked by pagan bandits hoping they were carrying riches. However, the only riches they had were those of God’s Word which reveal eternal life. Boniface is an example of a steadfast faith and strong desire to bring the faith to those who have not heard.
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
June 11: St. Barnabas, Apostle
St. Barnabas (1st century AD) was a companion of St. Paul and apostle (Acts 14:14). In the Scripture, Barnabas is mentioned throughout the book of Acts and he is also mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians, Galatians, and Colossians. Barnabas was a Levite and native of the island of Cyprus. When the Christians that fled the persecution in Judea went to Antioch and began preaching to Gentiles with great success, Barnabas was sent to oversee the mission. Later, Barnabas accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey, and seemed to have been the more eloquent and greater of the two in the eyes of men, for when they were in Lystra, the local pagans thought that Paul was Hermes and Barnabas Zeus (Acts 14:12). Along with Paul, Barnabas was an important figure at the Jerusalem Council, where the account of their missionary journey showed the Holy Spirit’s approval of the acceptance of Gentiles into the Church without circumcision and the keeping of the whole Law. Although not one of the Twelve, Barnabas is counted as an Apostle along with Paul because together they were recognized by the Apostles in Jerusalem and extended the right hand of fellowship (Gal. 2). Barnabas and Paul later split up after a disagreement about taking John Mark with them on the second missionary journey. After this, the book of Acts no more mentions him. However, Church tradition says that Barnabas went to his homeland of Cyprus to continue his work of spreading the Gospel where he was eventually martyred for the faith. Barnabas’ example is one of faith in uncertain times and joy in the Gospel and its spread.
While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13:2
June 12: The Ecumenical Council of Nicea, AD 325
The Ecumenical Council of Nicea (325), also called the First Council of Nicea, was the first ecumenical council of the Church, and was convened in order to deal with the Arian heresy. The Council was convened by Emperor Constantine I to meet at Nicea in order to bring peace to the Church after the teachings of Arius were stirring up division and strife. Bishops from all over the Empire and beyond were invited to attend the Council, with 318 being able to make it. At the Council the Emperor charged the assembled bishops to believe what the Scriptures said regarding the divine nature of Christ, that they may be the judge. In the end the Council agreed that the Son of God, who became incarnate in Christ Jesus, was homoousios with the Father, that is: being of one substance. The Old Nicene Creed was also composed here, to act as a confession of the true faith. This is also when the Church agreed when to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord (on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox). This Council was an important event in the Church’s life, and helped set the pattern of creeds and confessions.
Look, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like the precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes.
Psalm 133:1-2
June 14: Elisha, Prophet
Elisah (9th century BC – c. 798 BC) was the successor of Elijah as the leader of the prophets in the northern Kingdom of Israel. Elisha was chosen by Elijah as his successor and was given the gift of being able to see Elijah taken up in a whirlwind of fire. According to his request, he was given a double portion of the Spirit which rested on Elijah (2 Kings 2:9-10). As such, Elisha’s life was filled with miracles that pointed forward to the greater miracles of Jesus Christ, the Prophet to whom all prophets pointed. These include, raising the son of a widow from the dead, multiplying loaves to feed a crowd, and healing a man of leprosy. Elisha was also faithful in carrying out all that he was called to do in calling the kings of Israel to repentance, anointing new kings of both Israel and Syria who were to later overthrow their kings whom God had deposed. The final miracle of God through Elisha is one that points very clearly to our relationship with Jesus Christ. After Elisha’s death, after only his bones remained, a man was placed into his tomb and was resurrected after sharing his grave and touching his bones (2 Kings 13:20-21). This miracle points us ultimately to our relationship with Christ, for we who have been baptized into Christ have been baptized into His death. Sharing in His death, we are also raised with Him and share in His life. Thanks be to God, for his servant Elisha whose preaching and miracles point us to Jesus Christ, the Son of God!
In fact, no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were being carried along by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:21
June 24: Nativity of St. John the Baptist
Most feasts and festivals with connections to the saints commemorate their death, but on this day, the Church remembers the birth of John the Baptist. In the first chapter of Luke, the first half is filled not only with the annunciation and birth of Jesus, but also of John the Baptist. John was the son of Zechariah, a priest, and Elizabeth, a relative of Mary, the Mother of our Lord. In more than just his preaching, John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ.This day remembers how his birth pointed forward to the birth of Christ. John followed in the pattern of Old Testament births which pointed to Christ by being born of parents who were barren and in old age. This and other miracle births all pointed forward to the ultimate miracle birth: Jesus’ virginal birth. At the birth of John the Baptist, when it was time to name him, John’s father Zecheriah sang a prophetic song (which we call the Benedictus) which speaks of the salvation which will come through God coming to earth in the person of His Son and in the role John will play in being His forerunner. Appropriately, John’s nativity is celebrated six months before that of our Lord, for according to Luke, when Elizabeth was six months pregnant when Gabriel appeared to Mary (Luke 1:26).
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, because you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.
Luke 1:76-77
June 25: Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, AD 1530
On June 25, 1530 7 princes, and 2 city councils presented the Augsburg Confession to Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg in order to demonstrate that their faith was none other than the catholic faith purified of certain abuses. The Augsburg Confession itself presented 21 articles in common with the Church catholic in distinction to the Anabaptists and Zwinglians. The last 7 articles were those that showed abuses which had been corrected. While the Roman theologians present did not accept this confession, the Augsburg Confession became the chief confession of the Evangelical Church and all Lutheran theologians and churches have from the beginning accepted it. The Church has likewise always remembered this day, and there were many paintings and printings commissioned to commemorate it and demonstrate its teachings (such as the image here from an altar). Those who presented it knew that in doing so they were putting their lives at risk from the Emperor, yet they likewise knew the importance of confessing the true faith of the Scriptures. For this clear confession of faith and for the steadfast faith of its presenters we give thanks to God.
Then I will speak of your testimonies before kings, and I will not be put to shame.
Psalm 119:46
June 26: Jeremiah, Prophet
Jeremiah (c. 650 BC – c. 580 BC) was a prophet and author of the book which bears his name whom God called to preach in the southern kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah was from a priestly family that lived in Ananoath outside of Jerusalem. He was called with the especially hard task of preaching repentance and the coming destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians while being surrounded by false prophets who preferred to flatter the king rather than preach repentance. Because of this he was often jailed, mocked, and had few who would listen to his warnings. Yet, the Lord promised to and did preserve a faithful remnant who heard the word of the Lord through Jeremiah and were repentant. Jeremiah also prophesied of the end of the old and beginning of the new covenant and the reign of Christ Jesus. Against his wishes, Jeremiah was taken by refugees of Jerusalem to Egypt, where he died. Although filled with dire warnings, his book is also a book of hope and consolation that promises salvation and deliverance, even when the Lord chastises because of sin. Jeremiah’s sufferings and preaching point us to Christ who suffered for us that we may have salvation from sin, and whose words are filled with comfort and hope for all who believe.
But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put my law in their minds, and I will write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will each one teach his neighbor, or each one teach his brother, saying, “Know the Lord,” because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord, for I will forgive their guilt, and I will remember their sins no more.
Jeremiah 31:33-34
June 27: Cyril of Alexandria, Pastor and Confessor
Cyril (c. AD 337 – 444) was the Patriarch of Alexandria and a highly influential theologian in the Nestorian controversy where he courageously argued for the teaching that while Christ Jesus has two complete natures, He is yet one person. When the Patriarch of Constantinople Nestorius began teaching that it was right to call Mary the Mother of Christ but not the Mother of God, because she could only give birth to His human nature, Cyril came to the defense of the doctrine of the hypostatic union, that is: that in Jesus there are two complete natures, yet one person (Greek, hypostasis). Thus, everything He did He did as both God and Man in one Person. Cyril’s writings proved influential at the Council of Ephesus which condemned Nestorius’ position for effectively making two Christs. Cyril’s writings were also very influential on the Reformers and his Christology is clearly evident in the Formula of Concord and he is quoted very often in the Catalog of Testimonies. Martin Chemnitz, who wrote On the Two Natures of Christ, found in Cyril and fellow workman in the defense of this doctrine. Thus, we give thanks to God for preserving this doctrine through Cyril’s confession and faithful teaching.
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons.
Galatians 4:4-5
June 28: Irenaeus of Lyons, Pastor
Irenaeus (c. AD 130 – c. 202) was the bishop of Lyons in southern France and known for his defense of the true faith against Gnostics who were attempting to disrupt the Church. In early 177 Irenaeus was sent to Rome as a presbyter to deliver a letter to the bishop of Rome. While he was in Rome the persecution of Christians in Lyons took place so that 48 Christians were put to death for their faith, including the leader of the local church. When he returned, he was made bishop and faithfully led the people. Part of his role was writing against the Gnostics, who also claimed to follow Christ, in order to both defend the true faith as well as to inform and guard the congregations from this deadly false teaching Irenaeus wrote Against Heresies which systematically showed the errors of Gnosticism and showed forth the true teaching of the faith according to the Scriptures. It is not known whether Irenaeus died a martyr or in peace, as different sources vary, but he is remembered for his faithful leadership in Lyons including his defense of the faith.
But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11
June 29: St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles
St. Peter (c. AD 1 – c. 64/67) and St. Paul (c. AD 5 – c. 64/67) were apostles of the Lord Jesus, and two very important missionaries in the early Church as presented in Acts. Peter (also known in the Scriptures as Simon, Simon Peter, and Cephas) was the brother of Andrew and like him was originally a disciple of John the Baptist before being called by our Lord Jesus Christ. He, along with James and John were part of the inner group within the Twelve and witnesses of the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and other miracles. Peter originally claimed that he would rather die with Jesus than deny Him on the night when He was betrayed (Matt 26:30-35), but according to the Lord’s word, he did indeed deny Jesus three times (Matt 26:69-75). Yet, after the resurrection Peter was restored by the Lord (John 21:15-19) and after the ascension was a prominent leader in the Church and boldly proclaimed the Gospel message. Because of his evangelism among his people he is sometimes known as the Apostle to the Jews.
Paul (also known as Saul) was a member of the party of the Pharisees and originally a harsh opponent of the faith, ravaging churches by persecuting Christians (Acts 8:2, 9:3). However, the Lord appeared to him on the way to Damascus, for he was a chosen instrument of His in order to bring the Gospel to the nations (Acts 19:1-19). Paul went on multiple missionary journeys which took him throughout the land around the Medditerranian. Because he preached the Gospel far and wide he also wrote many letters to churches he both founded, visited, and would later visit. Almost half of the New Testament books were written by Paul, more than any other New Testament writer. Because of his evangelism to the nations he is sometimes known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.
According to tradition, both St. Peter and St. Paul were martyred on the same day under Emperor Nero. Peter was crucified (according to the word of Christ in John 21:18-19), tradition said that he asked to be crucified upside down because he was not worthy of dying in the same way as his Lord. As Paul was a Roman citizen, he was martyred by beheading. In both Peter and Paul we see the grace of our Lord in that He forgave Peter of his denial and Paul of his persecution and bringing them to saving faith.
He also showed that there is no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now then, why are you testing God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary! We believe that we are saved in the same way they are—through the grace of our Lord Jesus.
Acts 15:9-11