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.

Today we commemorate Athanasius of Alexandria, Pastor and Confessor. Born in Alexandria around AD 295, Athanasius would later serve as bishop of that city — a post he held for forty-five years. At the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, Athanasius defended Christian orthodoxy against the Arian heretics. Exiled five times and nearly murdered twice, Athanasius remained steadfast in his faith and lived his final days restored to his ecclesiastical office. The Athanasian Creed is named in his honor, because it confesses the truth of the divinity of Christ, which Athanasius championed during his life.

Today we celebrate the Festival of St. Philip and St. James, Apostles. St. Philip, from Bethsaida in Galilee, was one of the first disciples called by Christ. In turn, Philip would bring Nathanael to Jesus. According to tradition, Philip labored and died in Phrygia. St. James, son of Alphaeus and Mary (one of the faithful women who stood at the foot of the cross), is little mentioned in the New Testament and there are no sure records concerning his work after the resurrection or his death. We commemorate these two men as followers of and workers for Jesus Christ, our Lord.