Today the Church remembers a bishop who loved his people and sacrificed his life, Alphege, Archbishop of Canterbury. He was born around 953, during a violent period in England; it was the second major period of Viking raids.
Alphege became a monk, then a hermit, and was made Abbot of Bath. In 984 he became Bishop of Westminster.
In 994, King Ethelred sent him to negotiate with the Danish invaders. One of the invaders, Anlaf, became a Christian and swore never to invade England again. He never did. In that same year Alphege brought the newly baptized King Olaf Tryggvason of Norway to a peaceful meeting with King Ethelred, and to his confirmation at Andover.
In 1005, Alphege became Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1011 the Danes overran much of southern England. In September, they captured Canterbury and held Alphege and other prominent persons for ransom. The others were duly paid for and released, but the price demanded for Alphege was a fantastically high. Alphege, knowing the poverty of his people, refused to pay or let anyone else pay for him. His action infuriated the Danes, and at the end of a drunken feast, brought him out and repeated their demands. When he again refused, they beat him to death. Their chief, Thorkell the Tall, tried to save him, offering all his possessions except his ship for the Archbishop's life, but to no avail.
When the Dane Cnut (Canute) became King of England in 1016, he adopted a policy of conciliation, and in 1023 he brought the body of Alphege from London to Canterbury, where he was remembered as a martyr. Although he did not die for his belief in Christ, Alphege gave his life so that his people would not have to suffer ruin. He is an example to us of one who gives his all for others.
Let us pray: O loving God, whose martyr bishop Alphege of Canterbury suffered violent death when he refused to permit a ransom to be extorted from his people: Grant that all pastors of your flock may pattern themselves on the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep; and who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Randy Furlong, Patricia Robinson and Peggy Tuthill.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Alphege became a monk, then a hermit, and was made Abbot of Bath. In 984 he became Bishop of Westminster.
In 994, King Ethelred sent him to negotiate with the Danish invaders. One of the invaders, Anlaf, became a Christian and swore never to invade England again. He never did. In that same year Alphege brought the newly baptized King Olaf Tryggvason of Norway to a peaceful meeting with King Ethelred, and to his confirmation at Andover.
In 1005, Alphege became Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1011 the Danes overran much of southern England. In September, they captured Canterbury and held Alphege and other prominent persons for ransom. The others were duly paid for and released, but the price demanded for Alphege was a fantastically high. Alphege, knowing the poverty of his people, refused to pay or let anyone else pay for him. His action infuriated the Danes, and at the end of a drunken feast, brought him out and repeated their demands. When he again refused, they beat him to death. Their chief, Thorkell the Tall, tried to save him, offering all his possessions except his ship for the Archbishop's life, but to no avail.
When the Dane Cnut (Canute) became King of England in 1016, he adopted a policy of conciliation, and in 1023 he brought the body of Alphege from London to Canterbury, where he was remembered as a martyr. Although he did not die for his belief in Christ, Alphege gave his life so that his people would not have to suffer ruin. He is an example to us of one who gives his all for others.
Let us pray: O loving God, whose martyr bishop Alphege of Canterbury suffered violent death when he refused to permit a ransom to be extorted from his people: Grant that all pastors of your flock may pattern themselves on the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep; and who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially, Randy Furlong, Patricia Robinson and Peggy Tuthill.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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