02Knights Templar - Julian Emperor

SAINTS
he was eventually beatified in 1886.This was followed in 1935
by his canonisation and he is venerated today in both the
Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He is
regarded as a patron saint of occupations including civil servants,
lawyers and politicians and of a number of places such
asVirginia and Florida.
St John Fisher
Born in 1469, John Fisher was a mercer’s son from Beverly in
Humberside. He received a good education at Cambridge
University where he excelled and was made a fellow of
Michaelhouse, later to become Trinity College. He was to
pursue a religious vocation and, in 1491, he was ordained as a
priest.After a series of prestigious posts within the college he
became the chaplain of Lady Margaret Beaufort. Working
with Lady Margaret, he reformed Cambridge University and
he became a professor of divinity. In 1504, Fisher became the
chancellor of Cambridge University. In the same year he also
became the bishop of Rochester, then the smallest see in
England. Although more prestigious posts were offered to
him, he chose Rochester partly because it allowed him to
combine his academic pursuits with his religious responsibilities.
He enjoyed a considerable reputation as a religious figure
and was outspoken in criticising Protestantism, even writing
four books condemning the beliefs of Martin Luther.
He was praised by Henry VIII for his work as bishop but
provoked his anger when, in 1529, he argued that the marriage
of Henry and Catherine of Aragon was valid and that no
divorce could legally be granted to the king. In 1531, he also
argued that Henry could not be the Supreme Head of the
Church in England.Three years later, when he refused to take
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