This Week in Christian History: Pascal Dies, WCC Founded, St. Bartholomew's Massacre

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre Begins - August 24, 1572

This week marks the anniversary of when the Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day began, a two-day slaughter of French Protestants, or Huguenots, in France.

The massacre had its origins in French court intrigue, as the influential Catherine de Médicis encouraged Catholic nobility to strike at rival Protestant elites who had gathered for a wedding in Paris.

Estimates vary as to the exact toll, but it is agreed that thousands of Huguenots were murdered in Paris alone, plus others who were attacked in several French provinces.

"Instead of crippling the Huguenot party as Catherine had hoped it would do, the massacre revived hatred between Roman Catholics and Huguenots and helped provoke a renewal of hostilities," noted Britannica.com.

"Thenceforth the Huguenots abandoned John Calvin's principle of obedience to the civil magistrate — that is, to the royal authority — and adopted the view that rebellion and tyrannicide were justifiable under certain circumstances."