Confident.Faith

Today we commemorate Cyril and Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs. Cyril and Methodius were brothers from a Greek family from Thessalonica. Ordained as priests, the brothers were sent, in AD 862, to what is today the Czech Republic, where they taught the Christian faith in the region’s native tongue. As part of this mission, Cyril created the alphabet that is today known as Cyrillic, in order to write down Scripture and liturgy. The use of the vernacular by Cyril and Methodius set an important precedent for future missionary work.

Today we commemorate Job. Job was a blameless and upright man from Uz — a land north of Canaan. God permitted Job to be severely tested, and Job held steadfast to his faith in his Redeemer and in the Resurrection. At the end of the Book of Job, God explains that it is not for man to know the mysteries of God. We commemorate Job for his staunch faith and as a model of Christian suffering.

Today we commemorate C. F. W. Walther, Theologian. Father of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther emigrated from Saxony in Germany with other Lutherans in 1839. Settling in Missouri, he served as pastor of several congregations in St. Louis, founded Concordia Seminary, and was instrumental in the formation of the LCMS in 1847. Walther would serve as president of the Synod from 1847 to 1850 and then again from 1864 to 1878. Walther worked tirelessly to promote Confessional Lutheranism in the US. A prolific writer and speaker, Walther’s works are still widely used today, particularly including his book on the distinction between Law and Gospel.

Today we commemorate Friedrich the Wise, Christian Ruler. Elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525, Friedrich the Wise was instrumental to the Reformation. Although he never met Luther, Friedrich aided Luther significantly, including refusing to extradite Luther when the pope demanded it in 1518 and arranging for Luther to be ‘kidnapped’ and safely hidden in Wartburg Castle after the Diet of Worms. Beloved of his subjects, Friedrich was called "the Wise" for his sense of fairness and his justice. Upon his deathbed, Friedrich received the Lord’s Supper in both kinds — a clear confession of his Lutheran faith.

Today we commemorate Friedrich Wyneken, Pastor and Missionary. Along with C. F. W. Walther and Wilhelm Sihler, Friedrich Wyneken was one of the founding fathers of the LCMS. Born in Germany in 1810, Wyneken came to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1838, and then accepted a call to Friedheim and Fort Wayne in Indiana. During his life, Wyneken would serve as missionary in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, including among the Amerindian population; would help found — along with Wilhelm Loehe and Sihler — Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne; and would serve as the second president of the LCMS. Wyneken is remembered for his dedication to preaching and spreading the Word of God and for his commitment to right doctrine and the Lutheran faith.