From Wikipedia: In 2011, Italian archaeologist Francesco D’Andria claimed to have discovered the tomb of Philip during excavations in ancient Hierapolis, close to the modern Turkish city of Denizli.[15] The 1st-century tomb, found to be empty of relics, stood at the centre of a 4th- or 5th-century[15] three-naved basilica, the Church of the Sepulchre, which was one of the focal points of an ancient pilgrimage hill Read more...

From FindaGrave: Persian Monarch. Leader of the Ancient Persian Empire. He is mentioned in the Old Testament for allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem. Killed during one of his campaigns to amass more land for the Persian Empire. Believed to have died in 530 B.C. According to Plutarch, his epitaph said, “O man, whoever you are and wherever you Read more...

From Wikipedia: San Thome Church, officially known as the National Shrine of St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, is a church of the Catholic Church in India, at the Santhome neighbourhood of Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, and a minor basilica dedicated to Saint Thomas the Apostle. The present structure dates back to 1523 AD, when it was built by the Portuguese over the tomb of Thomas.[3] In 1896, Read more...

From Wikipedia: According to the tradition of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Saint Thaddeus, also known as Saint Jude, evangelized the region of Armenia and Persia.[6] According to Moses of Khorenatsi, an Armenian historian writing in the 5th century, Thaddeus suffered martyrdom in Armenia under King Sanatruk,[7] and is revered as an apostle of the Armenian Church.[6] Legend holds that a church dedicated to him was first built on Read more...

The Mystical Origins of “Ezekiel Saw de Wheel”   “Ezekiel Saw de Wheel” is one of the most dynamic and enduring of all African-American spirituals. Like many songs of its genre, it has no single, known author and originated on the plantation complexes of the American South sometime in the early to mid-19th century. Its powerful imagery and message of Read more...

The Origin of Andraé Crouch’s Hymn “Through It All”   Andraé Crouch’s enduring hymn, “Through It All,” stands as a cornerstone of modern gospel music, a profound and personal declaration of faith that has resonated across denominations, cultures, and generations. Written and copyrighted in 1971, this song is less a simple composition and more a deeply felt, autobiographical testimony born Read more...

Hymn History: Precious Lord, Take My Hand & Author: Thomas Andrew Dorsey “As the Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit … I learned that when we are in our deepest grief when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest and when we are most open to His restoring power.” (Thomas Read more...

Hymn History: Take Your Burden to the Lord & Author: William Herbert Brewster Sr. “Combining the fortitude of older black sacred music traditions with the fervor and rhythmic appeal of newer gospel songs, Brewster’s music was, in the words of gospel singing great Willa Ward, ‘as good as it gets.’” (Memphis Music Hall of Fame)   The Origin of the Read more...

Hymn History: Nothing Between My Soul and the Savior & Author: Charles Albert Tindley “To this day, Charles Albert Tindley is considered a ‘prince of preachers,’ poet, writer, theologian, social activist, and ‘father of African American Hymnody.’ Scholars C. Eric Lincoln and Lawrence H. Mamiya say that his hymns were ‘not simply other-worldly. [These hymns] are also addressed to helping Read more...

Hymn History: I Belong to the King & Author: Ida Lillard Reed “Reed is said to have written 2,000 hymns in her lifetime. … In 1939, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers recognized her ‘substantial contribution to American music’ by awarding her a small weekly “bonus.” (Hymnary)   The Origin of the Hymn “I Belong to the King” Read more...

Hymn History: How Long Has It Been? & Author: Mosie Lister “Mosie Lister was a study in contrasts. He wrote more happy songs than almost any other writer. He gave our feet songs to dance to when we were ‘feelin’ mighty fine.’ He seemed to feel the happy rhythms of life itself, and how he loved rhythms—intricate, syncopated, grin-making rhythms! Read more...

Hymn History: Sheltered in the Arms of God & Author: Dottie Rambo “Hardly any modern hymnal fails to include one or more of her songs … Having written over 2,500 published songs, Dottie ranks with the beloved Fanny Crosby among the women who have had the greatest impact in the field of gospel music.” (Kentucky Music Hall of Fame)   Read more...

Hymn History: Room at the Cross for You & Author: Ira F. Stanphill ‘The basic reason I have written songs is that I love God and Christ has loved me. Most of my songs are the outgrowth of real experiences with Christ. I think they appeal to people because I have had trials, heartaches, and sorrow in my own life, Read more...

Hymn History: I’d Rather Have Jesus & Author: George Beverly Shea “He was a gentle spiritual giant, whose sweet spirit and tender timber of a voice prepared audiences for Graham’s message around the world for more than six decades.” (A. Larry Ross)   The Origin of the Hymn “I’d Rather Have Jesus” Few hymns express Christian devotion as simply and Read more...

Hymn History: Jesus Loves the Little Children & Author: Clarence Herbert Woolston “A pastor, gospel songwriter, and sleight-of-hand magician, Clarence Herbert Woolston (1856-1927) claimed that he had ‘addressed many more than 1,000,000 children’.” (C. Michael Hawn)   The Origin of the Hymn “Jesus Loves the Little Children” Among the simplest and most cherished hymns of childhood, “Jesus Loves the Little Read more...