Sts. Johann Esch and Heinrich Voes, 1523

Today is (or should be) the feast day of Johann Esch and Heinrich Voes, Augustinian monks who were burned at the stake on July 1, 1523 for teaching that faith alone justifies. Esch and Voes were the very first martyrs of the Reformation, and their deaths inspired Martin Luther to write his very first hymn.

More on the martyrdom of Esch and Voes can be found here, here,  here, here and here.

In an age of doctrinal indifference and superficial, emotionalized religion, the deaths of Esch and Voes provide a much-needed witness to our day. May the fire they lit in Brussels 477 years ago never die out.

Precious to the Lord is the death of His saints.