Bernard of Clairvaux as the Ideologist of the 1147 Wendish Crusade Against the Slavs

Bernard of Clairvaux, who is shown on icons receiving milk from the breast of the Virgin Mary, is regarded as the man behind Pope Eugene III, who had been his pupil and heeded his opinion.

It was Bernard of Clairvaux who was the ideologue of the Crusade against the Slavs of 1147: in the course of the Wendish Crusade no fewer than 220,000 warriors invaded the Slavic lands between the Elbe, the Trave and the Oder.

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Black-and-white group photograph of people in masquerade costumes with fans and headdresses, some seated on a floor covered with confetti.

Guests at a costume party in a Moscow theatre in the early 20th century

A costume evening at one of the Moscow theatres in the early twentieth century

Professor Mie Oba proposes Japan as ASEAN's third partner alongside the US and China

Professor Oba Mie of Kanagawa University writes that Japan could become a third partner for the ASEAN countries alongside the USA and China. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations preserves its independence under the slogan of "centrality": the bloc's members seek to remain the principal forum

Blessing of Animals on 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

On 4 October, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, who is regarded as the patron of animals and of nature, animals are blessed in churches all over the world. Stories of his sermon to the birds and of the wolf of Gubbio are associated with the name of Francis,

Blessing of animals on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi in New York and other communities

The blessing of the animals at the Episcopal Church of Saint John in New York on 4 October, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, who is regarded as the patron saint of animals and nature. Francis is associated with the tale of his sermon to the birds and

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Guests at a costume party in a Moscow theatre in the early 20th century

Professor Mie Oba proposes Japan as ASEAN's third partner alongside the US and China

Blessing of Animals on 4 October, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

Blessing of animals on the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi in New York and other communities