On this anniversary a thought popped in my head; shouldn't all Christians commemorate this day? Shouldn't we all commemorate numerous historical days of victory and defeat in Christendom? Well I think we should, hell, I think we must. And I speak mainly with reference to my fellow Protestants, and more specifically Pentecostals; Catholics (at least the traditional ones) and Orthodox already commemorate such events.
But so should us Pentecostals, even though events like the Siege of Constantinople feel so alien, no less because it has nothing to do with Pentecostal history or interests. But we Pentecostals take seriously the analogy of the Church as a family, even across denominational lines; spiritual brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers. Just as we mourn the loss of our biological parents, so to we mourn our spiritual parents. And likewise, as we mourn the loss of our blood brothers, so to we mourn our spiritual brothers.
Constantinople was an entire city of our Christian brethren, a center of Christian power in the world, and it was taken by a heathen horde. But because the people of Constantinople were as much our family as our blood families in the pews today, the city was not just taken from them; it was taken from us.
In light of all this, I am convinced that we Christians should all take just a little time to learn the history of the Church, our family. Note down the great events, the victories and defeats, and when their anniversaries fall, take at least a little time to remember the achievements and sufferings of our spiritual ancestors.
