1198day.year

Berthold of Hanover

Bishop of Livonia

Bishop of Livonia
Berthold of Hanover was a German missionary appointed as the first Bishop of Livonia in the late 12th century.
Little is recorded about Berthold's early life before his appointment in 1198 by the Archbishop of Bremen. He led missionary efforts to convert the pagan tribes of Livonia in the Baltic region. Shortly after establishing his bishopric, he faced fierce resistance from local warriors. Berthold was killed during an ambush, becoming one of the first Christian martyrs in the Baltic territories. His brief mission highlighted the challenges of early Christian expansion in northern Europe.
1198 Berthold of Hanover Bishop of Livonia
1594day.year

John Boste

(1544 - 1594)

English martyr and saint

English martyr and saint
John Boste was an English Roman Catholic priest and martyr executed for his covert ministry during Elizabeth I's reign.
Born around 1544, Boste was ordained in Reims before returning to England to serve persecuted Catholics. For over a decade, he ministered in secret, evading capture while providing the sacraments to clandestine communities. Betrayed in 1593, he was arrested, tried for treason as a seminary priest, and condemned to death. In 1594, he was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Durham. Beatified in 1929 and canonized in 1970, Boste is honored among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales for his unwavering faith.
1594 John Boste
1985day.year

Ezechiele Ramin

(1953 - 1985)

Italian missionary and martyr

Italian missionary and martyr
Italian missionary priest and martyr who advocated for indigenous rights in the Amazon.
Father Ezechiele Ramin was an Italian Comboni missionary who dedicated his life to defending the livelihoods of Amazonian peasant and indigenous communities in Brazil. He tirelessly campaigned against landowners and logging interests to protect the human rights and environment of the region. Ramin provided legal assistance and social services to marginalized populations along the Machado River. On July 24, 1985, he was tragically murdered by hired gunmen while returning from a peace mission. His death sparked international outrage and highlighted the plight of the Amazon's rural inhabitants. Today, he is remembered as a martyr and symbol of solidarity with oppressed communities.
1985 Ezechiele Ramin