CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY

From the Vicar

When we think of Christian martyrs, we usually think of those who were killed in the early days of the Church, such as the Apostles Simon Peter and Paul of Tarsus, both of whom died at the hands of the Romans, or maybe Stephen, one of the first deacons, who was stoned to death by authorities from the Temple in Jerusalem.

In the first few centuries of the Christian Church, many people sought martyrdom as a way of ensuring their place in heaven. It became so common that many Church leaders sought to dissuade Christians for seeking martyrdom by provocation. A true martyr was seen as one who was willing to surrender their lives rather than give up what they believed.

Persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes that later overran the Empire often resulted in death by true believers, because they were unwilling to deny Christ. Later, martyrdom extended to those who were killed because of their evangelism or other ministries, such as helping the oppressed. Modern examples include Lutheran Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed for opposing the Nazis in Germany, and Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was assassinated by a death squad for denouncing the military dictatorship in El Salvador.

Over the centuries, Christian churches have compiled lists of martyrs and sometimes assigned them their own day on the church calendar. The Episcopal Church includes many martyrs in its Lesser Feasts and Fasts, which can be found in the book Holy Women, Holy Men; Celebrating the Saints. Both Bonhoeffer (April 9) and Romero (March 24) are included.

While many of the men and women included in the book died in faraway lands, you might be surprised to learn that one was martyred in a town only a couple of hours by car from Crestview. That young man was Jonathan Myrick Daniels, and he was killed in the small Alabama town of Hayneville, on April 14, 1965. And he was an Episcopalian.

Here is a condensed version of his story from Holy Women, Holy Men:

“Daniels was born in Keene, New Hampshire, in 1939. Like many young adults, from high school in Keene to graduate school at Harvard, Jonathan wrestled with vocation. Attracted to medicine, ordained ministry, law, and writing, he found himself close to a loss of faith until his discernment was clarified by a profound conversion on Easter Day 1962 at the Church of the Advent in Boston. Jonathan then entered the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

“In March 1965, the televised appeal of Martin Luther King, Jr., to come to Selma to secure for all citizens the right to vote touched Jonathan’s passions for the well-being of others, the Christian witness of the church, and political justice. His conviction was deepened at Evening Prayer during the singing of the Magnificat… He wrote: ‘I knew that I must go to Selma. The Virgin’s song was to grow more and more dear to me in the weeks ahead.’

“After a brief return to Cambridge in May to complete his exams, he returned to Alabama to resume his efforts assisting those engaged in the integration struggle. Jailed on August 14 for joining a picket line, Jonathan and his companions resolved to remain together until bail could be posted for all of them, as it was six days later. Released and aware that they were in danger, four of them walked to a small store. As sixteen-year-old Ruby Sales reached the top step of the entrance, a man with a shotgun appeared, cursing her. Jonathan pulled her to one side to shield her from the unexpected threats and was killed instantly by the 12-gauge blast.

“Jonathan’s letters and papers bear eloquent witness to the profound effect that Selma had upon him. He writes, ‘The doctrine of the creeds, the enacted faith of the sacraments, were the essential preconditions of the experience itself. The faith with which I went to Selma has not changed: it has grown… I began to know in my bones and sinews that I had been truly baptized into the Lord’s death and resurrection… with them, the black men and white men, with all life, in him whose Name is above all the names that the races and nations shout… We are indelibly and unspeakably one.”

Each year, the Dioceses of Alabama and the Central Gulf Coast (which includes the southern third of Alabama) organize a pilgrimage and worship service for Daniels, whose Feast Day is August 14. Each diocese hosts the event in alternate years on a Saturday close to this anniversary. This year, the date of the pilgrimage is August 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Diocese of Alabama is the host this year, but I expect busloads of people from our diocese to attend as well. The event includes a procession from the jail to the building that once housed the store where Daniels was killed, followed by a service at the Lowndes County Courthouse. The preacher will be The Right Rev. Richard Lawson, the recently consecrated Bishop of Alabama. More information can be found elsewhere in this Clarion.

I have attended this pilgrimage in past years. Be forewarned, it gets hot in Hayneville in August. Very hot. However, if you can manage the temperature, this is an event worth attending. If you’re interested in learning more, please let me know.

Let us pray.

O God of justice and compassion, you put down the proud and mighty from their place, and lift up the poor and the afflicted: We give you thanks for your faithful witness Jonathan Myrick Daniels, who, in the midst of injustice and violence, risked and gave his life for another; and we pray that we, following his example, may make no peace with oppression; through Jesus Christ the just one, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Father David+