October 22

Born in 1729 in Prussia, Johann Reinhold Forster initially served as a Lutheran pastor. He joined James Cook's second Pacific voyage in 1772 as naturalist and botanist alongside his son Georg. Forster collected thousands of plant and animal specimens, advancing the study of biogeography. His publications, including 'Observations Made During a Voyage Round the World,' influenced Enlightenment scientists. Later, he became professor of natural history in Poland and continued his research until his death in 1798.

Théodore Monbeig was born in France in 1875 and entered the Catholic missionary order as a young man. Sent to Yunnan province in China, he combined his religious duties with relentless botanical exploration. Over nearly a decade, he collected thousands of specimens, many new to science, and sent them to European herbaria. Monbeig’s meticulous field notes and species descriptions significantly advanced knowledge of Yunnan’s rich biodiversity. He corresponded with leading botanists, and several plant species were named in his honor. His work exemplified the synergy of missionary service and scientific discovery. He died in 1914, leaving a lasting botanical legacy.

Erik Bergman was born in Uppsala, Sweden, in 1886 and studied theology at Uppsala University. Ordained in the Church of Sweden, he served in various parishes, emphasizing community outreach and liturgical renewal. He married Karin Åkerblom and had six children, including future director Ingmar Bergman, whose films often explore themes of faith and morality influenced by his father. Erik wrote on the role of the church in modern society and was admired for his engaging sermons. He retired in 1955 but continued to write and speak publicly. Bergman died in 1970, leaving a spiritual legacy that resonated both in the church and in cinema.

Jovan Pavlović was born in 1936 in Irig, then part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. He was ordained a bishop in the Serbian Orthodox Church and served as the Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand, where he fostered community growth among the diaspora. In the aftermath of the Yugoslav wars, he was appointed Metropolitan of Zagreb and Ljubljana, working to reconcile faith communities in Croatia and Slovenia. Known for his pastoral care and commitment to interfaith dialogue, Pavlović authored several theological works on Orthodox tradition and modern society. His leadership helped preserve Serbian cultural heritage abroad and within his eparchy until his death in 2014.