December 16th.

Today is traditionally the commemoration of the 'Three Young Men in the Furnace', Ananiah, Azariah and Mishael, who as we read in the book of Daniel were exiled along with Daniel from Jerusalem to Babylon when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. Given the Babylonian names of Shadrach, Mishach and Abed-nego, they were thrown into the royal furnace for refusing to worship the statue which King Nebuchadnezzar erected of himself. In the fire they walked unharmed, chanting the great hymn of praise for God's works which we know as the 'Benedicte'.