Two questions struck me as I learned of the life and deeds of George Castrioti (1405-1468), also known by the title given to him by the Ottoman Turks: Scanderbeg.
I have always been inspired by the Christian princes and kings who resisted the Ottoman invasion. Although many of them ultimately perished and lost their independence, their resistance to the Mohammedans helped delay the expansion of the Ottoman Empire and prevent the Islamic conquest of Europe. Such men as the holy Prince Lazar of Serbia, St. Stephen the Great of Moldavia, Vlad the Impaler, and Skanderbeg truly were noble warriors, and are honored by Christians to this day - especially in the East.
Amen! Thanks be to God for those heroes. We in the West would do well to remember them. The 100 Years' War and certain other things that Westerners fixate on are trifles compared to the campaign against the Ottomans.
Your comment of "how has no one ever heard of this guy?" was my reaction to learning about the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem. A lot of people know about Lepanto and Vienna but not as many know about the sieges of Rhodes and Malta.
Yes, it needs reframing really. When I think of the past It is plain that any real growth or positive change personally has always been a product of hardship or suffering of some kind.
The 15th century Balkans threw up quite a few warriors who resisted the advance of the Ottomans, Hunyadi, Vlad the Impaler, Stephen the Great and Scanderbeg. It's a bit ironic that only one of them is known today, Vlad the Impaler, and even he only thanks to a vampire book more or less unrelated to his actual life.
Beautiful essay, man. Truly a heroic and inspirational figure. I particularly like this reflection: "The great heroes are a glimpse into the experience of truly loving God: the Lord wants you to share in his superabundance, and in loving him you somehow have him." Something to strive for by rediscovering the Christian heroes of old!
one question I have for you: I really want to read your book, but Im from Brazil, and the cost of buying a hardcover book overseas makes it really expensive... do you have the ebook for sale somewhere? I couldn't find it in amazon.
I have always been inspired by the Christian princes and kings who resisted the Ottoman invasion. Although many of them ultimately perished and lost their independence, their resistance to the Mohammedans helped delay the expansion of the Ottoman Empire and prevent the Islamic conquest of Europe. Such men as the holy Prince Lazar of Serbia, St. Stephen the Great of Moldavia, Vlad the Impaler, and Skanderbeg truly were noble warriors, and are honored by Christians to this day - especially in the East.
Amen! Thanks be to God for those heroes. We in the West would do well to remember them. The 100 Years' War and certain other things that Westerners fixate on are trifles compared to the campaign against the Ottomans.
Awesome. Would love to read more like this.
Your comment of "how has no one ever heard of this guy?" was my reaction to learning about the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem. A lot of people know about Lepanto and Vienna but not as many know about the sieges of Rhodes and Malta.
Do you recommend a book on the Hospitallers?
"The Shield and the Sword" by Ernle Bradford is a great exposition of their military ventures. It's free on internet archive.
My only complaint is that the author is cynical at times, but honestly he's far more fair than a lot of other crusader historians.
Suffering is the bedrock of great deeds; puts steel in the spirit.
The Enemy is good at making us forget this truth, or get so lost in our resentment over suffering that we don't really benefit from it.
Yes, it needs reframing really. When I think of the past It is plain that any real growth or positive change personally has always been a product of hardship or suffering of some kind.
The 15th century Balkans threw up quite a few warriors who resisted the advance of the Ottomans, Hunyadi, Vlad the Impaler, Stephen the Great and Scanderbeg. It's a bit ironic that only one of them is known today, Vlad the Impaler, and even he only thanks to a vampire book more or less unrelated to his actual life.
I never heard of him. Now I want to read the whole book! Such men should never be forgotten.
It's a long and involved read, great though! For a more condensed account, read Ibrahim.
Excellent 🙌🏻
Beautiful essay, man. Truly a heroic and inspirational figure. I particularly like this reflection: "The great heroes are a glimpse into the experience of truly loving God: the Lord wants you to share in his superabundance, and in loving him you somehow have him." Something to strive for by rediscovering the Christian heroes of old!
Incredible!
one question I have for you: I really want to read your book, but Im from Brazil, and the cost of buying a hardcover book overseas makes it really expensive... do you have the ebook for sale somewhere? I couldn't find it in amazon.
God bless, brother!
Please send me a DM and I can send you a PDF.
where can I DM you? instagram, email, or twitter?
God bless brother!
Thank you kindly--I really wanted to do justice to him! One of my all-time favorites.