August 17

Alexander Briant was an English Jesuit priest born in 1556 in Somerset. He studied at Oxford before entering the Society of Jesus in Rome. Upon returning to England, he ministered in secret to Catholics during Elizabeth I's reign. He was arrested in 1581, tortured in the Tower of London, and executed at Tyburn. Beatified in 1929 and canonized in 1970, he is honored among the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. His steadfast faith under persecution has inspired generations of believers.

David Koresh (born Vernon Wayne Howell; 1959–1993) was the leader of the Branch Davidians, a religious sect near Waco, Texas. He assumed leadership in 1987, claiming prophetic status and interpreting the Book of Revelation for his followers. Under Koresh's direction, the group stocked weapons, leading to a 51-day siege by federal agents in 1993. The standoff ended in tragedy when fires consumed the compound, resulting in the deaths of Koresh and many members. His controversial teachings and the siege's aftermath sparked nationwide debates on religious freedom and government intervention. Koresh's life and the events at Waco remain a subject of study for scholars and media alike.