The St Matthew Passion of JS Bach saw its first performance in 100 years, today in 1829, when Felix Mendelssohn presented it in Berlin, to huge acclaim. Tickets sold out in 10 minutes, and the concert was attended by Hegel, Schleiermacher, and other famous philosophers. The event triggered a revival of Bach’s neglected music in Germany, and then throughout Europe.
Leo X was proclaimed Pope today in 1513. He wasn’t a priest (and was the last layperson to be elected pope), so he was fast-tracked through becoming a priest, bishop and then Pope in six days flat. On his coronation, Leo was given a baby elephant named Hanno by the King of Portugal, which became his beloved pet, taking part in papal processions.
In the Belvedere before the great pastor
Was conducted the trained elephant,
Dancing with such grace and such love
That hardly better would a man have danced.
Pasquale Malaspina, on the arrival of Hanno in Rome
Today in 843 saw the end of the 120 year conflict over icons in the Byzantine empire, during which thousands of images were destroyed, bishops were deposed and exiled, and theologians made lots of very complex arguments pro and anti having pictures in church. The icon-lovers triumphed, and the event is celebrated every year by Orthodox believers on the first Sunday of Lent.
It is the feast of St John Moschus, a 6th century monk who lived near Jerusalem and who travelled in Palestine, Egypt, Cyprus, Syria and around the Dead Sea, visiting monasteries and their holy men. He interviewed hermits, pillar monks, abbots and ordinary people, and their stories ended up in his book, The Spiritual Meadow, which is an eccentric and colourful classic of the religious life.
Image: Wikimedia Commons