Glossary

A fourth-century Italian scholar and monastic, who translated the Scriptures into Latin. Feast day: Sept. 30.

An eighth-century Syrian monk, priest and theologian. Feast day: Dec. 4.

Prophetic forerunner of Jesus. Born to Elizabeth, a kinswoman of the Virgin Mary. He baptized many, including Jesus, and was later beheaded by Herod Antipas. Feast day: June 24.

Brother of James and son of Zebedee. Regarded as the author of the Gospel and epistles that bear his name, and of the Book of Revelation. Believed to be the only apostle who was not martyred. Feast day: Dec. 27.

An 18th-century abolitionist, born into slavery in Delaware, who became the first African-American priest. Feast day: Feb. 13.

Husband of the Virgin Mary, known as the Guardian of Our Lord and patron saint of workers. Feast day: March 19.

After the death of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus and buried it in a tomb newly hewn out of a rock. Feast day: Aug. 1

A 14th-century English writer, mystic, and anchoress (a solitary monastic), the first English woman of letters. In her writing, she refers to both God the Father and Jesus as “our Mother,” emphasizing their lovingkindness to humanity. Feast day: May 8.

A second-century scholar, apologist, and martyr, who has been called one of the most original thinkers Christianity produced. Beheaded in Rome after he refused to sacrifice to the gods. Feast day: June 1.

The King of Hawaii, who with his queen, Emma, asked the bishop of Oxford to send missionaries in the mid-19th century, thereby establishing Anglicanism in the Hawaiian islands. Feast day: Nov. 28.