Today's Feast is brought to you by Bede

Actually, it's the Venerable Bede, who was an eighth century English monk. Unfortunately, his life was not one of physical daring-do, extraordinary hardship, deprivation, or lurid martyrdom, so he tends not to get as much attention in certain quarters as he should.

However, he did produce a document that is still in publication, by Penguin Press no less, a calendar system that is still in use, and a translation of the Gospel of John into English [well, old English, anyway]. These and other accomplishments contributed to the traditions of historic accuracy and scriptural accessibility that have been a part of the Anglicanism ever since.

He is the person who developed the designation anno domini, that is A.D. or "the year of our Lord", when measuring the year, and was one of the important natural philosophers of his day.

[A "natural philosopher" is what a botanist, biologist, scientist, etc., was known as in Bede's day.]

Much more may be read about him here. His collect is as follows:

Heavenly Father, you called your servant Bede, while still a child, to devote his life to your service in the disciplines of religion and scholarship: Grant that as he labored in the Spirit to bring the riches of your truth to his generation, so we, in our various vocations, may strive to make you known in all the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

[An Update: I was searching for the location of Bede's translation of the Gospel of John. It was getting a little frustrating until Chris, our parish administrator, informed me that she has seen it! It's in the library of Worcester Cathedral in England and can be viewed by anyone who pays the two pound entrance fee.]