February 15

Ibn Tabataba was a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and a prominent figure in Zaydi Shi'a opposition to the Abbasids. He emerged as an anti-caliph during an uprising in 815 in the region of Qom and Kufa. His supporters sought to overturn Abbasid rule and establish a Shi'a caliphate under his leadership. Although the rebellion was short-lived, it inspired later Shi'a movements and highlighted sectarian tensions within the Islamic world. Ibn Tabataba died during the suppression of the revolt, but his legacy endured among Zaydi and other Shi'a communities.

Born around 1070, Lucius II became pope in 1144 during a time of political strife between the papacy and Rome's commune. He was one of the first popes to personally command armed forces, attempting to regain control of the city from rebellious nobles. In February 1145, Lucius suffered fatal injuries while leading an assault on the Capitol Hill stronghold. His death marked the end of a brief but tumultuous papacy that highlighted the tensions between secular and ecclesiastical power. Lucius II was buried in St. Peter's Basilica and remembered for his willingness to defend papal prerogatives by force.

José de Acosta was a Spanish Jesuit missionary who traveled extensively in Peru and Mexico in the late 16th century. Born in 1540, he studied theology in Spain before joining the mission to the New World in 1571. Over two decades, he witnessed and documented indigenous cultures, natural history, and ecological phenomena. His works, including "Natural and Moral History of the Indies", offered some of the first detailed European accounts of American flora, fauna, and native societies. Acosta's observations laid the groundwork for modern anthropology and ecology. He also advocated for the humane treatment of indigenous peoples and debated theological questions about the origins of the Americas. His legacy endures in both scientific and missionary circles.

Camilo Torres Restrepo was a Colombian Catholic priest, sociologist, and theologian who became a leading voice for social justice in Latin America. Born in 1929, he studied economics and sociology before entering the priesthood, blending academic scholarship with spiritual commitment. Torres advocated for the poor and critiqued social inequalities, contributing to the development of Liberation Theology, a movement within the Church. In 1965 he made the controversial decision to join the National Liberation Army (ELN), believing armed struggle was necessary to address injustice. His death in a skirmish later that year at just 31 years old turned him into a martyr figure for human rights and revolutionary Catholicism. Camilo Torres's radical fusion of faith and politics continues to inspire social movements and theological debates worldwide.

Muhsin Sedick Hendricks (1967–2025) was a South African imam and scholar who founded the Inclusive and Affirming Ministries to support LGBT Muslims. In 2005, he made headlines by officiating the first same-sex Nikah ceremonies in a mosque, challenging traditional interpretations of Islamic law. Hendricks authored scholarly articles on Islam and sexuality, promoting dialogue between religious and LGBT communities. He was a prominent speaker at international conferences on faith and human rights, advocating for the acceptance of sexual minorities within Islam. His groundbreaking work earned recognition from human rights organizations and sparked important debates about religion and inclusivity. Hendricks’s life and ministry inspired many to rethink cultural and religious norms. He passed away in 2025, leaving a legacy of compassion and progressive reform within religious discourse.