Christopher DeMorteau

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Abaddon (Daemon Abaddon, Revelation 9:11—«...whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, The Angel of Death.») In Jewish and Christian daemonology, Abaddon is the “King of Locusts”, the Commander of Wrath, and Angel of Death. In most depictions Abaddon is the adaptation of the ancient Greek Furies to Christian theology. He is depicted as a man with dragon’s wings and goat legs.   

Adandozan (King of Dahomey) [1792− 1861] Was the King of Dahomey, succeeding his father Agognglo. Overthrown by his younger brother Ghezo, who organized a coup with the assistance of the Brazilian slave trader Francisco Félix de Sousa. Ghezo ordered Adandozan’s name to be erased from the records of the kingdom.

Adler, Alfred [7 February 1870− 28 May 1937] Austrian medical doctor, psychotherapist, and founder of the school of individual psychology. Adler was one of the pioneers in the analysis on feelings of inferiority.

Adonibezek (King Adonibezek, or Lord of Bezek) Canaanite king referred to in the Hebrew Bible in Judges 1:4-7. According to the book of Judges, he had mutilated seventy kings by cutting off their large toes and thumbs and he was punished by God with the same penalty. 

Aelia Flaccilla (Aelia Flaccilla Augusta) [31 March 356− 386] Roman empress and first wife of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, she was already dead for sixteen years when Ioannes Cassian mentions her name.

Ahidjo, Ahmadou Babatoura [24 August 1924− 30 November 1989] First President of Cameroon and the founder of a Single-Party State doctrine for Cameroon. Ruled with an iron fist and during his presidentship the Anglophone and the Francophone Cameroons formed a single state. Buried in Senegal.

Alexa (see:  Dávalon, Alexa)

Alexander the Great (Alexander III the Macedon) [20 July 356 BC− 11 June 323 BC] King (Basileus) of the Greek kingdom of Macedon, son of Philip II, and conqueror of Greece, Egypt, Middle East, Persia and modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, in Babylon, aged 32. 

Ambrosius of Mediolanum (Saint Ambrose of Milan) [c.338− 4 April 397] Venerated in all Christian Churches that accept sainthood, he was one of the early Fathers of the Church and a confessor against Arianism. Mentor of Augustine of Hippo. He exchanged many letters with Basileius of Caesarea. Prosecutor of the Greek-Roman religion, his ideas on Christian Ethics are compatible with traditional Stoic values.

Annand, Douglas [22 March 1903− 14 December 1976] Australian artist. Considered a modernist. Some of his iconic sculptures can be seen in Lee Wah Bank, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Antonio (see: Florizzeli, Antonio)

Antonius (Saint Anthony the Great) [c. 251− 356] Father of the Church and symbolic father of early hermitism,  frequently called the “first monk”. According to many legends we worked as a swineherd and he is often depicted with a piglet on his right (see e.g. Piero di Cosimo’s “The Visitation with Saint Nicholas and Saint Anthony”).

Aoun, Michel [30 September 1933−] Lebanese politician and retired army general. He led Lebanon’s army during the late civil war and served as interim prime minister (1988–1990). After years in exile, he returned in 2005 and founded the Free Patriotic Movement. Aoun became president of Lebanon in 2016, backed by Hezbollah, serving until 2022. His presidency was marked by political paralysis, economic collapse, and mass protests, leaving a deeply divided legacy in Lebanese politics.

Aoun-Bechara, Phoebe [13 June 1950− 4 January 2017] Wife of Elias Bechara and mother of Youssef Becharas. A pious Maronite, she was baptized Orthodox to marry Elias. Niece of Michel Aoun and daughter of his paternal cousin Germaine. Died of a heart attack.

Apollinarius of Laodicea (Bishop Apollinaris of Laodicea) [310− 391] Bishop of Laodicea in Syria and notorious opponent of Arianism. His theory of Jesus Christ’s nature (physis) led him to the other extreme, the denial of the existence of a human soul in Christ's nature. He was condemned as a heretic by the First Council of Constantinople in 381. Saint Basileius was one of his major rivals. 

Apollo (or Phoebus, God of the Greek and Roman Panthea) Oracular god of the Delphic Oracle, symbol of young power and master bowman. Protector of Troy and of the Greek-Roman mysticism.

Applewhite, Marshall (Marshall Herff Applewhite Jr.) [17 May 1931–  26 March 1997], also known as “Do” was an American religious leader who founded and led the Heaven's Gate new religious movement (often described as a cult), and organized their mass suicide in 1997.

Arcadius (Flavius Arcadius Augustus) [1 January 377– 1 May 408] Eastern Roman Emperor from 395 to 408, eldest son of Theodosius the Great and Aelia Flaccilla, and brother of the Western Emperor Honorius. Has reigned with the—sometimes unfair—stain of inferiority compared to his father. With Arcadius and Honorius, the Roman Empire was divided in the Eastern and the Western parts until their fall.

Aretaeus of Cappadocia (c. 32– c. 86) Early positivist physician. In his extant book on diagnosis and treatise of several illnesses (a Latin translation of his work De causis et signis diuturnorum morborum is partially preserved), he has extensively described the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus.

Arion (Mythological inventor of the Dithyramb). According to the legend, he was thrown into the sea by pirates and his song invited the dolphins which gathered around the ship and saved him on their backs.

Asmodeus (Demon Asmodeus, Kings 17:30 and Deuterocanonical Book of Tobit) In Jewish, Christian and Islamic daemonology, he is one of the “Seven Princes of Hell”, the authorities directly under the Evil Trinity of Satanail. He is depicted as a lustful King with four heads and a scepter.

Astaroth (Demon Astaroth, probably a Jewish evolution of Goddess Ishtar of the Middle East). Lord of sloth, member of the Evil Trinity, along with Beelzebub and Lucifer, most of the times depicted riding a female hyena. 

Athanasius the Athonian (Saint Athanasius of Trebizond) [c. 920– c. 1003] Byzantine hermit and monk who formalized the exclusively monastic character of Mount Athos. However, communities of monks were present in Mount Athos since before the 4th century AD.

Augustinus of Hipporegium (Saint Augustine of Hippo) [13 November 354– 28 August 430] Father of Western Christianity and a major representative of Neo-Platonism. Venerated in all Christian Churches who accept sainthood. Major confessor of Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. His most emblematic theory is on predestination, and the notion that God's grace causes the individual act of faith. 

Azazel (Demon Azazel) The Scapegoat of the Book of Enoch. A lower daemon who gained a significant place in Jewish, Christian and Islamic daemonology, as associated with major biblical events. Sometimes depicted with seven heads, fourteen faces, «hands and feet like a man's [and] on his back six wings on the right and six on the left.». Most of the time he is depicted as the archetypical daemon, with scarlet flesh, eyes of fire, long ram horns and bat-like wings.

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Bargagli, Girolamo [1537– c. 1586] Jurist and poet. Author of the comedy in six intermedia “La Pellegrina” which had premiered on the wedding of Grand Duke Ferdinand I of the Medici with princess Christine of Lorraine in 1589. Taught law at the University of Siena. 

Bartholomew I of Constantinople (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I) [29 February 1940– ] The 270th and current Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch, since 2 November 1991. Supporter of the Ecumenical Dialogue, the Ecumenical Patriarch had meetings with both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. He was the first Ecumenical Patriarch who attended a papal inauguration since the Great Schism in 1054.

Basileius of Caesarea (Saint Basil the Great) [329– 1 January 379] Father of the Church and influential theologian. One of the Cappadocian Fathers and symbolic founder of Eastern Orthodoxy. Venerated in all Christian Churches that accept sainthood. Equivalent to Santa Claus for Eastern Orthodoxy, he is considered a protector of children. Basileius attended the Council of Constantinople (360) and was a confessor against Arianism.

Bechara, Elias [12 March 1944– 4 November 2018] Founder of “Pellegrina” and partner of Signor Gerasimo. Elias was born in Beirut, studied Engineering at the Université La Sagesse, and was the only son of the murdered Orthodox architect Joseph Bechara. Follower of Abdallah Saadeh, he fought for the SSNP (Syrian Social Nationalist Party in Lebanon) from February 1976 to June 1977. In 1978 he joined the Marada Brigade of the Maronite Tony Frangieh and he was promoted to Captain of the Mardaite Guards, one of the armed groups backing Tony Frangieh. From 1978 onwards he organized a criminal syndicate known as “Pellegrina”, based in Athens, Greece.   

Becharas, Youssef [16 April 1972– 4 November 2018] Son of Elias Bechara and late heir of “Pellegrina”. Husband of the saxophonist Timon Comteau. He wrote the anthology of poems “Songx for your Sax” which is a series of metamodern studies of Shakespearean poetry. Murdered.

Beelzebub (Demon Beelzebub) Probably an adaptation of God Baal, he is one of the daemons in the Evil Trinity, along with Astaroth and Lucifer. Became rather popular after his depiction in the film “Exorcist II: The Heretic”. Most of the time he is depicted as a strong human with moth wings. 

Belial (Demon Belial) Deputy of Satan in Jewish, Christian and Islamic daemonology, sometimes his name denoting the Satan himself. He is depicted as a humanlike king holding a scepter.

Bell, Cressida [1959– ] English artist and designer, specializing in textiles, interior design, cake decoration and illustration. One of her books, the “Cressida Bell's Cake Design: Fifty Fabulous Cakes” (Double-Barrelled Books), was somehow forgotten in my 4x4 when I was travelling an unwelcoming path through the Beqaa valley. 

Benedictus (Pope Benedict XVI, Dr. Professor.) [16 April 1927– 31 December 2022] Pope from 19 April 2005 to 28 February 2013. Professor of Theology at the University of Bonn, the University of Münster, and the University of Tübingen. His contribution to Western Christian Theology is found in his second and third encyclicals titled Spe Salvi («Saved by Hope»), about the virtue of hope, and Caritas in Veritate («Care in Truth»). During his Papacy, he made efforts to approach the Anglican and Orthodox Churches. He resigned from the post of Pope (the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415) and lived a monk’s life until his death.

Benyamin (Mar of the Assyrian Church) [26 October 1969− ] Born in Erbil, he was accepted as an orphan to the Assyrian Church by the Patriarch Catholicos Dinkha IV. He is considered one of the most aspiring Mars of the Church and has published extensively on issues of Theology, Comparative Religiology and Hinduism. 

Biglesby, Duncan Dixon (Professor, Dr.Dr., Senior Reader of the School of Theology at the University of Kent) [19 March 1955− ] Born in Warwick, UK, the elder son of two English teachers. Husband of late Alexa Dávalon, and father of two sons. He studied Philosophy at the University of York, and defended his PhD in Anglican Studies at the University of Kent at Canterbury. He was hired as an associate at the School of Theology of the University of Kent, and taught comparative Theology and Doctrine. Reached the rank of Professor and is now a Professor Emeritus. Married to Delphine M’Bassi since 6 November 2019.   

Bófi of Ebelur [12 November 353− 5 April 404] Foederatus mercenary for eleven years (392 - 403) with the Hetaireia of the Goths. Fought against Alans and Huns. Born in Oelandia. Died in Oelandia.  

Bófir of Kirkja [21 November 392− 20 June 451] Grandson of Bófi of Ebelur, son of Kirkja, the son of Bófi. He died in the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains fighting against Attila the Hun.  

Boniface (Saint and Archbishop Boniface) [c. 675− 5 June 754] Named Apostle of the Germans, he is one of the emblematic personalities among the early Christian missionaries. According to the legend, he stroke the Tree of Thor in Gaesmere, which broke in four equal pieces, and he used the wood to build a cross. He died in Frisia while in a mission. Most of the times he is depicted holding a sword with a pierced book (probably the  Ragyndrudis Codex) on it.  

Bosch, Hieronymus (Jheronimus van Aken) [c. 1450— 9 August 1516] Dutch painter, often characterized as surrealist. His religious paintings depict horrific and sometimes  incomprehensible views of hell, the purgatory and the earthly life.  

Botticelli, Sandro (Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi) [c. 1445— 17 May 1510] Artist of the Medici school of Florentine art, innovative in many depictions of saints and biblical figures. His most famous work is probably the “Birth of Venus” (Nascita di Venere) or the works of Capella Sistina. His work “Primavera” and its allusions are discussed in “Pellegrina”.   

Bragi (God Bragi the Bard. God in the Norse Pantheon). Most of the times depicted with a Roman harp, which changed into a renaissance harp in later depictions. Bragi was frequently a Norse parallel to the Greek-Roman Apollo or Arion. 

Brutus (Marcus Junius Brutus) [85 BC— 23 October 42 BC]. Probably the most famous killer. In Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus” he is one of the two Tributi who proclaim Coriolanus’ banishment from Rome.

Buddha (Lord Buddha, born Siddhārtha Gautama) [c. 563-480 BC— c. 483-400 BC] Monk, Philosopher and spiritual founder of Buddhism. For some time an ascetic, he is said to have attained Enlightenment, after a reputed 49 days of meditation, at the age of 35.

Butt, Ali Hassan (Major Hassan Butt) [26 October 1968— 18 July 1999] Son of the martyr Colonel Ishmael Nassar Butt. He was accepted in the Pakistan Military Academy in 1987, from which he graduated as a Lieutenant of Light Infantry. First husband of Irum Sumaira, the daughter of Imam Ahmed of the Sayyeds. He was wounded and blinded during the Kargil War between India and Pakistan and died in the Gilgit Military Hospital.  

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Castor of Apt (Castor of Marseilles) [c. 352— c. 420] Early Christian Bishop. Founded the monastery of Monanque in Provence, and was the recipient of the letters of Saint John Cassian the Roman.

Catherine (Saint Catherine of Alexandria) [c. 287— c. 305] Great Martyr of Christianity and venerated Saint in all Christian Churches that accept sainthood. Died aged seventeen on a breaking wheel, and is often depicted as a young virgin with a wheel miniature on her right. 

Ceres (Goddess of the Greek and Roman Panthea) Goddess of the Earth and mother of Persephone, Ceres or Demetra was the deity responsible for the change of the seasons. The Temple of Ceres in Eleusis was the primary site of the Eleusinian Mysteries, the most famous of the secret religious rites of ancient Greece. Emperor Julian was the last Roman Emperor to support the Mysteries, which were held until the decree of 392 of Emperor Theodosius I the Great.   

Channa (Chandaka the Divine Charioteer) [6th century BC] The personal royal servant and head charioteer of Prince Siddhartha (Buddha). In some legends a physician and teacher. He was riding Kanthaka, a legendary horse with many human attributes. After the Enlightenment of Lord Buddha, Channa became a Buddhist monk.

Channa (see: Gunawardena, Channa)

Chloris (Nymph of the Greek and Roman Panthea) Known for her love affair with the western wind Zephyrus.

Columba (Saint Abbot Columba) [7 December 521— 9 June 597] Irish abbot and missionary, founder of the Abbey of Iona. Venerated in the Eastern and Western Churches.

Comteau, Timon [1 April 1979— 6 April 2019] Composer and Saxophonist. The only son of Gerasimos Maniatakis and prima ballerina Oxana Tatya Skorovna, he was educated in the Conservatoire national des arts et métiers. Husband of Youssef Becharas until the latter’s murder. Died in the “Pellegrina Massacre”.   

Constantine (Emperor Constantine the Great, Saint Constantine, Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus Augustus) [27 February c. 272— 22 May 337] Symbolic founder of the Eastern Roman Empire, venerated as a saint in all Christian Churches that accept sainthood, as equal to the Apostles. With his Edict of Mediolanum (Milan), Christianity was tolerated in the Roman Empire for the first time.  

Constantine I, King of Greece [2 August 1868— 11 January 1923] King of Greece from 1913 to 1917 and from 1920 to 1922. Commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Army during the unsuccessful Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and the successful Balkan Wars of 1912 – 1913.

Constantine XI Dragases Palaeologus (Emperor Constantine XI) [8 February 1405— 29 May 1453] Last Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. Died defending Constantinople from Mehmet II the Conqueror of the Ottomans.

Cryer, Anne (Dr., Senior Researcher of Divinity, School of Theology at the University of Kent) [15 August 1977— ] Graduate of 1998, Anne defended her PhD at the University of Kent in Canterbury. Former head of “Pellegrina” and co-owner of the beach-bar “Reggae Heaven Club” in Bloody Bay, Negril, Jamaica.

Cryer, Emilia [28 May 1948— 22 January 2017] Mother of Anne Cryer. She majored in Biology and worked with Oxfam in Niger and Lebanon from 1968 to 1976 and again in Lebanon for a single mission in 1990. Died of chronic pancreatitis caused by an old wound.  

Cyril of Ptolemais [3 November 1966—] Former Hieromonachos monk of the Eastern Orthodox Church (1983-2012 and August—November 2019) and Titularius Episcope of the Athonian Code in the Grand Lavra Monastery of Mount Athos (2009-2012 and August—November 2019). 

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Dalí, Salvador (Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, 1st Marquis of Dalí de Púbol) [11 May 1904— 23 January 1989] Surrealist. His painting “Christ of Saint John on the Cross” was revealed to him allegedly in a dream. 

Daniel (Saint Daniel) A noble pious Jewish servant of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, thrown to the lions by the Persians. Miraculously saved since the lions could not open their mouths. 

Dávalon, Alexa [3 February 1962— 2 January 2017] Postmodernist composer and member of the Scratched Orchestra. Wife of Professor Duncan Dixon Biglesby since 1981, and mother of two, she died of breast cancer.

Delphine (see: M’Bassi, Delphine)

Devicharan (Maharaja Devicharan) A hero in one of the tales of the Hindu Mystic Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Sri used this name in more parables of his, with slightly different content.  

Donar (God Donar or Thor, God of the Germanic and Norse Panthea) God of Thunder and Oaks. Parallel to Jupiter or Hercules. Husband of the golden-haired Valkyrie Sif, son of Odin and brother of many Gods including Baldur.   

Dragan (see: Ilić, Dragan)

Dubček, Alexander (First Secretary of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia) [27 November 1921— 7 November 1992] His one year as the head of the State ended de facto in August 1968 with the invasion of the Soviet troops in Prague, in the infamous Prague Spring events. Dubček remained a prominent figure with a circle of close companions till the Velvet Revolution of 1989.

Duncan (see: Biglesby, Duncan Dixon)

Durga (Goddess Adi Parashakti of the Hinduist Pantheon) A form of Goddess Parvati, she is the eight-handed Goddess of war, often depicted with all the popular weapons of India in her hands.    

E

Earendel (Horwendill) A named Jutish chieftain of 4th century AD presented also in Gesta Danorum. A generally popular name, mostly associated with the morning star (Eosphorus or Lucifer). In a poem presented by Cynewulf, the Christian Messiah is presented as Earendel.   

Elias (see: Bechara, Elias)

Emilia (see: Cryer, Emilia)

Engelram of Albi [22 September 358— 20 June 451] Second son of Jarl Jörun of Albi (344— 383), brother of Jarl Yngvi of Albi (383— 400) and uncle of Jarl Jörundr of Albi (400— 416). Joined the Hetaireia of the Foederati Goths in 381 AD and was baptized a Christian in 398 AD. Died of old age when he heard the good news from the Catalaunian Fields.

Epictetus [54— 135] Stoic philosopher born a slave. He lived in Rome until his banishment along with all the significant philosophers of Rome by Emperor Domitian and moved to Nicopolis for the rest of his life. His works paved the way for the thoughts of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Epicurus of Samos [341 BC— 270 BC] Greek philosopher and founder of Epicureanism. Only three letters of his survived intact. Epicureanism, often misinterpreted as a lustful approach to life, advocates that the purpose of philosophy is to attain a happy, tranquil life. He believed that humans have a soul, but the soul dies when the body dies.   

Eugene (Pope Eugenius IV) [1383— 23 February 1447] A Pope of a turbulent period, and a reformist of the monastic orders of Western Christianity, he is known for his bull «Creator Omnium» of 17 December 1434. A member of the Ferrara-Florence and signatory of the Laetentur Caeli («Let the Heavens Rejoice») decree, which technically mended the schism of 1054 between Catholics and Orthodox. 

Evagrius of Pontus (Evagrius Ponticus) [c. 345— 399] Prominent Christian monk and ascetic. Became a monk at the monastery of Rufinus and Melania the Elder. Spent many years in Egypt, Nitria and Kellia in strict ascetism. A disciple of Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nazianzus, he was the teacher of Saint John Cassian and Palladius.

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Ferdinando I of the Medici (Grand Duke of Tuscany) The fifth son of Cosimo I de' Medici and Eleanor of Toledo. Former Cardinal.

Florizel, Orso I (Orso Florizel di Venezia) [16 March 1729— 22 September 1769] Originally from the village of Cordenons, Orso I served as a Pregado of the Venetian legislature body. Orso was accused of usury twice and twice acquitted.     

Florizel, Orso XVI [31 December 1980— ] Studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Bologna and gained his master’s in Dartmouth College. He took over the “Florizel Montres Genève” after his father’s death in March 2013. Orso is the cousin of Antonio Florizzeli.

Florizzeli, Antonio (Antonio di Cordenons) [22 June 1972— ] Leader of the Zia Malbrenta organization after his father Luigi was severely injured in an engagement with the Carabinieri in Chiampo, Italy, on 16th April 2005.     

Folletto, Ortensio (“the Goblin” or “the Diplomat”) [31 March 1972— ] Second Caporegime of the Palermo syndicate since 1996. 

Forstbach of Bófi [6 May 387— 26 May 451] Third and youngest son of the Foederatus Bófi and captain of the guard of the King of Armenians. Died in the Battle of Avarayr, between the Sassanid Persians and the separatist Armenians. He was humiliated and tortured before his execution.    

Franciscus (Pope Francis) [17 December 1936— 21 April 2025] The former head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State. Noted for his humility. Took over the Pontifex throne on 13 March 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013. Succeeded by Pope Leo XIV.   

Frangieh, Tony (Antoine Frangieh) [1 September 1941— 13 June 1978] Son of the former Lebanese President Suleiman Frangieh, politician and militia commander of the Marada Brigade (Zgharta Liberation Army – ZLA). Maronite Christian who died in the Ehden massacre.

Frederick III (Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia) [18 October 1831— 15 June 1888] Served for ninety-nine days in 1888, the Year of the Three Emperors. Husband of Victoria, Princess Royal, eldest daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Father of Princess Sophia of Prussia, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria and sister of Kaiser Wilhelm II, who married Constantine I King of Greece.

Friedrich II (Federicus, King of the Romans, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Jerusalem, King of Italy) [26 December 1194— 13 December 1250] Son of Emperor Henry VI of the Hohenstaufen dynasty and Constance, heiress to the Norman kings of Sicily. Fought against the Papal armies (1229— 1230).

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Gainas (Magister Militum of the Eastern Roman Empire) [c. 343— 400] Goth general of the Eastern Roman Empire. He fought alongside Emperor Theodosius I and with Stilicho against Alaric. Leader of the Goth Hetaireia of Foederati mercenaries, he declared himself co-emperor, causing public unrest in Constantinople, which led to the massacre of 7,000 Goths. Probably died in North Thrace as he was hunted by mercenaries of the Byzantine Emperor Arcadius, or by the Huns near Danube river. 

Ganeetha (see: Raae, Ganeetha)

Garamon, John [11 June 1983— 26 December 2019] Bodybuilder and champion of healthy nutrition. CEO of the “GAR Dietary Supplements ltd.”. Died of heart attack most probably caused by  overuse of Tamoxifen in his gym.

Gaudentius, Flavius [368— 425] Roman commander, served under the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius I. Appointed Magister Equitum by the Emperor of the Western Roman Empire Honorius.   

Gerasimo (see: Maniatakis, Gerasimos)

Germanus [6 May 362— 22 November 448] Early Christian monk and companion of Saint John Cassian the Roman. He was with John Cassian during his visits to Constantinople and Rome. Allegedly he remained in Rome after John Cassian left in 430 and remained there until the end of his life, but there are no records.  

Gibb, Andy (Andrew Roy Gibb) [5 March 1958— 10 March 1988] English singer and songwriter. The single «(Love Is) Thicker Than Water» quickly became a million-selling album and topped the charters. Died of myocarditis due to drug addiction.

Gill Stern (see Stern, William)   

Gogh, Vincent van [30 March 1853— 29 July 1890] Dutch post-impressionist painter. His work “The Prayer” (1882) is one of the paintings in a series of pencil on watercolor paper that reveal the spiritual quests of Van Gogh. 

Goya, Francisco (Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes) [30 March 1746— 16 April 1828] Spanish romantic painter. “Dos viejos comiendo sopa” is one of the fourteen Black Paintings (1819— 1823) and shows the disillusion of the painter.

Guillaume de Villehardouin (William of Villehardouin, Prince of Achaea) [1211— 1 May 1278] Son of Geoffrey I Villehardouin, he fought alongside the Latin Empire against the Byzantine Empire of Nicaea, and was rewarded with the Venetian Duchy of the Aegean Archipelago.

Gunawardena, Channa [7 November 1956— ] Born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, the third child of a middle-income family. He moved to Colombo in 1976, where he was married. Father of three girls, he worked for twenty years as a professional translator. He is now the CEO of the “Channa Gunawardena Sri-Lankan Tourism and Hospitality Services Corporation” since December 2018. 

Gundmar (Chnodomarius) [304— 357] King of one of the Germanic tribes of the Rhineland, defeated by Emperor Julian in the Battle of Strasbourg. Died in captivity.

H

Hamazasp of the Mamikonians (Sparapet Hamazasp) [362— 432] Father of Saint Vardan Mamikonian of Armenia and high-general during the time Armenia was a client kingdom of the Sassanid Persian Empire.

Helen (Saint Helena, Flavia Iulia Helena Augusta) [c. 246— c. 330] Mother of Saint Constantine (Emperor Constantine I) and a Saint in all Christian Churches that accept sainthood.

Hermes (see: Mercury)

Hitchens, Christopher [13 April 1949— 15 December 2011] English-American author and one of the most prominent supporters of the absence of belief in the existence of deities. His Hitchens’s Razor is a popular argument for atheism.

Hitler, Adolf (Führer of Germany and leader of the Nazi Party) [20 April 1889— 30 April 1945] Studied fine art in Vienna. One of the leaders of the Axis during the Second World War.

Honorius (Flavius Honorius Augustus) [9 September 384— 15 August 423] Western Roman Emperor from 395 to 423, younger son of Theodosius the Great and Aelia Flaccilla, and brother of the Eastern Emperor Arcadius. After Arcadius and Honorius, the Eastern and the Western Roman Empires were divided until their fall.  

Holofernes (deuterocanonical Book of Judith) Assyrian general of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Killed by Judith, a Jewish widow who seduced him and beheaded him, saving the biblical city Bethulia.

Huendarr son of Priar [369— 451] King of Allemani Lentienses. Son of King Priar who fought against the Roman Empire in the Battle of Argentovaria, in which he was defeated and killed.

I

Iamblichus [c. 245— c. 325] Arab Syrian Neoplatonist philosopher. Student of Porphyry, who was in turn a pupil of Plotinus, the founder of Neoplatonism. He disagreed with Porphyry over the practice of theurgy.

Ilić, Dragan [3 April 1979— 6 April 2019] Montenegrin Serb. Fought with the paramilitary forces along the Serbian Army in the attacks on Dubrovnik, Croatia. Recruited to “Pellegrina” in 1999, and was appointed Deputy Commander of the Vestiarites Guard of “Pellegrina” in 2012. Died in the “Pellegrina Massacre”.  

Imam Ahmed (see: Sayyed, Ahmed Rashid)

Innocentius (Saint Innocent I, Pope) [22 December 401— 12 March 417] Venerated in the Catholic Church. Archbishop of Rome (401— 417) and generally accepted as a factor of stability during his Papacy. 

Ioannes Cassian (Saint John Cassian the Roman) [c. 360— c. 435] Christian monk and theologian born in the Roman Scythia Minor. Venerated in all Christian Churches that accept sainthood. The deadly sins, as taught today, derive from his studies and letters. 

Ioannes the Golden Mouthed (Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople) [c. 349— 14 September 407] Venerated as a Saint in all Christian Churches that accept sainthood. Archbishop of Constantinople, he was exiled by Emperor Arcadius after demand of his wife Empress Aelia Eudoxia. Died in exile.

Irum (see: Sayyed, Irum Sumaira)

Ismaylov, Yevgeni [5 July 1987— 16 November 2018] Secretary of Mister Qadeer in “Pellegrina”. Died by suicide.

J

Jamra, Issam Abu [6 February 1937− ] Lebanese politician and retired brigadier general. A member of the Free Patriotic Movement, he was a close ally of Michel Aoun. He served as Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon twice: first in 1988–1990 during Aoun’s military government, and later from 2008–2009 in Fouad Siniora’s cabinet. Abu Jamra is known for his role in Lebanon’s turbulent political and military landscape, particularly during the final years of the Lebanese Civil War. Jelinek (see: Sileny, Jelinek)

Jones, Absalom [7 November 1746— 13 February 1818] American abolitionist and clergyman of the Episcopal Church. He is listed on the Episcopal calendar of Saints.

Joseph II of Constantinople (Ecumenical Patriarch) [1360— 10 June 1439] Monk on Mount Athos, Metropolitan of Ephesus and Patriarch of Constantinople (21 May 1416). Probably of Bulgarian descent.

Jörundr of Albi (Petty King) [9 March 380— 416] Jarl of Oelandia. Died of poison.

Judith (Book of Judith) Biblical figure who seduced general Holofernes and killed him, probably with the aid of her maid.

Julian (Emperor Julianus, Flavius Claudius Julianus Augustus) [c. 331— 26 June 363]. Emperor and Neo-Platonic philosopher. Called the Apostate by the Church, he was the last Roman Emperor who supported the Greek-Roman religion. Died from his wounds during a campaign against the Sassanid Persian Empire.

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Kanav, Rami [unknown— 5 November 2019] The well known Hindu mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa is said to have reached nirvikalpa samadhi, the highest point of existential realization, in 1865, under the guidance of Saint Totapuri. Saint Totapuri used to be a pupil of a philosopher named Kanav. The devotion of all three philosophers to Goddess Kali is historically proven.

Kashif (see: Sayyed, Kashif)

Khalifa, Mia [10 February 1993— ] Lebanese American social media personality, born in Beirut Lebanon.

Khan, Qadeer Idriss (Mister Qadeer) [12 September 1967— ] Husband of the late Irum Sumaira of the Sayyeds and father of three. Certified Accountant and Head of Financial Services at the “Elias Becharas & Son Corporate Group”. Graduate of Tufts University, he worked for UBS Bank in Switzerland, in the “Khan Qadeer Accounting Services ltd” in Belgrade before joining the “Elias Becharas & Son Corporate Group”. Lives in Taxila, Pakistan since November 2019.   

Kirkja son of Bófi [28 June 375— 2 June 451] Second son of the Foederatus Bófi. Fought alongside King Vardan of the Armenians. He died in an ambush of Alans, after the Battle of Avarayr as he was carrying the dead and mutilated body of his brother Forstbach on his back in the Armenian plains. 

Klimt, Gustav [14 July 1862— 6 February 1918] Austrian symbolist painter. His work on Judith holding the head of Holofernes is a typical example of his approach on the biblical theme.

Koons, Jeff [21 January 1955— ] American postmodernist sculptor. His works often replicate everyday objects—like balloon animals, toys, or kitsch figurines—in stainless steel with mirror-polished surfaces. Hugely influential and controversial, His pieces, such as Balloon Dog and Rabbit, have sold for record-breaking sums, making him one of the most commercially successful living artists. Koons lives and works in New York.  

Kou Qianzhi [365— 448] Taoist Master, physician and reformist philosopher. Head of the Celestial Masters north branch. He encouraged the persecution of Buddhists while at the palace of the Northern Wei Empire. He claimed a revelation from the deified Laozi and reshaped Daoism into a more organized, moralistic religion. Kou emphasized ethical conduct, ritual purity, and hierarchical priesthood, distancing Daoism from earlier ecstatic and magical practices. With imperial patronage, he became Celestial Master and established Daoism as the official state religion under Emperor Taiwu, briefly rivaling Buddhism 

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Laurentius of Serres (Elder Laurentius the Drunkard) [13 March 1969— ] Greek Orthodox monk and Prosmonarius of the Grand Lavra monastery of Mount Athos.  

Lebowski, Jeffrey (Big Lebowski, The Dude) Fictional character, protagonist of “The Big Lebowski” crime comedy, written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.  

Leighton, Frederic (1st Baron Leighton) [3 December 1830— 25 January 1896] English painter strongly associated to the Pre-Raphaelite movement. President of the Royal Academy of Arts, His work “Electra at the Tomb of Agamemnon” is indicative of the movement.

Lenin, Vladimir Ilyich [22 April 1870— 21 January 1924] Bolshevik political philosopher, politician and head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 1924 and of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1924. As of 2019 the embalmed body of Lenin remains on public display in Lenin's Mausoleum on Red Square, Moscow.

Lennox, John (Dr., Professor John Carson Lennox) [7 November 1943— ] Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and an Emeritus Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College, Oxford University.

Leo III the Isaurian (Emperor Leo III) [c. 685— 18 June 741] Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Emperor. He issued a series of edicts against the veneration of images.

Leos (see: Sileny, Leos)

Leviathan (Daemon Leviathan) Initially a biblical serpent of the seas,  described as the daemon of envy by St. Thomas Aquinas, a notion consolidated since the 3rd century AD.

Lipski, Donald [21 May 1947— ] American sculptor who has a mixed style in his works.

Loki (God Loki of the Norse Pantheon) Husband of Sigyn and father of Hel, the wolf Fenrir, and the world serpent Jörmungandr. Father of Narfi and Váli, in some accounts, and father of the eight-legged horse Sleipnir.

Lucentius (Elder Lucentius of Thebes) [19 March 1934— ] Abbot Hegoumenos of the Great Lavra (Grand Lavra) Monastery of Mount Athos since 2002. 

Lucifer (Daemon Lucifer) from the Latinization of the Greek name Eosphoros, He who brings the light. Several Christian denominations consider Lucifer and Satan the same being.  

Luhrmann, Baz (Mark Anthony Luhrmann) [17 September 1962— ] Australian writer, director, and producer of films and operas.

Luke (Evangelist Lukas) Gentile Saint and author of one of the Four Gospels and probably the Acts of the Apostles. Saint Luke is often accompanied by an ox or bull, usually having wings. Never met Jesus Christ.

Luna, Miguel Aguirre [22 February 1985— declared missing on 5 November 2018] Hitman of the “Pellegrina” hamlet of “Santa Rosa and Dependencies” since 2010. Father of two.    

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M’Bassi, Delphine [2 June 1961— ] Secretary at the School of Theology at the University of Kent since 1987. Her family originates from Benin. Refugee to Cameroon, she lived as an orphan in a Catholic Monastery before immigrating to the UK. Wife of Professor Duncan Dixon Biglesby.     

Macbeth Duncan (King Duncan) Fictional protagonist of “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakespeare.  

Malkovich, Michael [15 May 1972— ] Former Lieutenant of the Croatian Army, former Commander of the Vestiarites Guard of “Pellegrina” proprietor of the beach-bar “Reggae Heaven Club” in Bloody Bay, Negril, Jamaica.

Malphas (Daemon Malphas) Great Prince of Hell. Commander of forty legions of daemons.

Mamillo (see: Moretti, Onofrio)

Mammon (Daemon Mammon) One of the Seven Princes of Hell. As a notion in the New Testament he represents the passion of greed.

Maniatakis, Gerasimos (Signor Gerasimo) [16 June 1946— ] Former Consigliere of “Pellegrina” and partner of Elias Bechara. Former General Manager the cabaret “Pellegrina” and father of the late Timon Comteau.

Marco (Evangelist Marcus, Saint Marc) Author of the Gospel of Mark and patron Saint of Venice. Saint Marc is often accompanied by a lion, usually having wings.  

Marcus Aurelius (Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus) [26 April 121— 17 March 180] Roman Emperor and stoic philosopher. The last of the Roman rulers known as the Five Good Emperors, and the last emperor of the Pax Romana.

Martin Luther [10 November 1483— 18 February 1546] Monk and reformist of the Catholic Church. Professor of Bible at University of Wittenberg. Author of the “Ninety-five Theses”.

Martin, Rosen (see: Rosen, Martin)

Marx, Karl [5 May 1818— 14 March 1883] German political and critical philosopher.

Matthew the Apostle (Saint Matthew, Levi) Galilean Christian and Saint. Most probably a Disciple of Jesus Christ. Author of one of the four Gospels. Saint Matthew is often accompanied by a man-like creature, usually having wings.   

Mehmed the Conqueror (Sultan Mehmed II) [30 March 1432— 3 May 1481] Ottoman Sultan who conquered Constantinople.

Melchizedek (King of Salem, mentioned in the 14th chapter of the Book of Genesis) The Second Book of Enoch says that Melchizedek was born of the virgin Sofonim, the wife of Nir, while she was dead.

Menas (Saint Menas the Soldier) [285— c. 309] Egyptian saint and Martyr according to the Christian Churches who accept sainthood. Menas joined the Roman army early in his life.

Mercury (Hermes, God of the Greek and Roman Panthea) Messenger of the Gods of Olympus and patron of the merchants.  

Mesrobes (Saint Mesrop Mashtots) [362— 17 February 440] Venerated in the Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian Christian Churches. Theologian and hymnologist.  

Michael (see: Malkovich, Michael)

Miguel (see: Luna, Miguel Aguirre)

Millican, Peter (Dr., Professor) [1 March 1958— ] Professor of Philosophy at Hertford College, University of Oxford.

Mithras (God Mithras) God of the Zoroastrian Pantheon that found support within the ranks of the Roman soldiery and was subsequently transformed. Worship included mystical ceremonies.

Modigliani, Amedeo (Amedeo Clemente Modigliani) [12 July 1884— 24 January 1920] Jewish Italian modernist painter and sculptor. Woman Sitting in Blue Dress is one of his mature works. 

Moretti, Onofrio (Mamillo) [22 February 1974— 5 November 2018] Hitman of the Palermo syndicate since 1988. Died of a heart attack according to the coroner’s report inside the “Drunk & Spider” motel in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Moretti, Pietro [16 July 1949 - ] Father of Onofrio “Mamillo” Moretti. Worked for forty-five years as the secretary of the “Coo-d’O-d’O Erice” cooperative and agricultural company in Erice.

Musharraf, Pervez [11 August 1943 - ] Former General of the Pakistan Army and 10th President of Pakistan. He led the Kargil infiltration that resulted to the Kargil war between India and Pakistan in 1999. After the failed Kargil operation, Prime Minister Sharif unsuccessfully attempted to remove Musharraf from the army's leadership, but the army staged a coup d'état in 1999, which allowed Musharraf to take over Pakistan.

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Nakaya, Fujiko [1933— ] Japanese modernist painter and sculptor.

Napthali (see: Sileny, Jelinek) 

Narfi (or Nari) Member of the Norse Pantheon, son of Loki according to the Younger Edda. His brother Váli assassinated him and was cursed to wander transformed to a wolf.

Nefertiti (Queen of Egypt and the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten) [c. 1370— c. 1330 BC] She was known for worshipping only one God, Aten.

Nemesius of Homs (Bishop Nemesius of Emesa) [2 February 357— 6 November 403] Physician, anatomist, early Christian bishop of Homs and author of the De Natura Hominis, which was for many years attributed to Gregory of Nyssa. Never venerated.

Nestorius of Germanicia (Archbishop Nestorius of Constantinople) [c. 387— c. 449] Early Christian monk and pupil of Theodore of Mopsuestia in Antioch. Ambitious cleric, Nestorius made it to the throne of Saint Andrew as Archbishop of Constantinople in 428. Denied the dual hypostasis of Jesus Christ and introduced the notion of two distinct hypostases in Him, a doctrine known as Nestorianism. He was condemned as a heretic, but Christian Churches of the East are still following his doctrines.   

Newton-John, Olivia [26 September 1948— ] English-born Australian singer and actress.

Nicephorus Phocas (Emperor Nikephoros II) [912— 11 December 969] Byzantine (Eastern Roman Emperor), known as the Monk-Emperor. Assassinated by his nephew and next Emperor Ioannes I Tzimiskes. 

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Ofereisser son of Bófi [30 October 373— 8 January 459] Elder son of the Foederatus Bófi. Became the Jarl of Albi in 416 AD, after he married Jöfríðr, the sister of the heirless Jörundr of Albi, whom he poisoned.

Olympiodorus of Amphissa (Hierophant Olympiodorus) [26 October 338— 4 June 396] Master of the Eleusinian Mysteries and former Ephebe Phoebus (351). Died of his wounds after all four of his limbs were mutilated during the sacking of the Temple of Ceres by Alaric I.

Origen of Alexandria [c. 185– c. 253] Early Christian scholar, theologian, and philosopher from Alexandria. Prolific writer, he produced the Hexapla (a massive comparison of biblical texts), commentaries, and theological works. Origen emphasized allegorical interpretation of Scripture, the pre-existence of souls, and the ultimate reconciliation of creation with God (apokatastasis), though some of his ideas were later deemed heretical. Despite controversies, he deeply shaped early Christian theology, influencing both Eastern and Western traditions. Known for his ascetic life and intellectual rigor, Origen is remembered as one of Christianity’s most creative and challenging early thinkers.

Orso (see: Florizel, Orso XVI)

Ortensio (see: Folletto, Ortensio)

Oscar (Saint Oscar or Ansgar) [801− 865] «Apostle of the North» according to some writers, was Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen in the northern part of the Kingdom of the East Franks. He played a key role in bringing Christianity to Scandinavia, especially Denmark and Sweden, founding churches and schools despite strong resistance from pagans and political turmoil. Canonized soon after his death, Ansgar is venerated as the patron saint of Scandinavia.

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Pachomius of Siviris [20 May 1399– 20 May 1451] Eastern Roman Orthodox monk and Titularius Bishop of the Codex Athoniensis. Supreme Judge of the Orthodox Christianity while in office. He was entrusted to store the wine of the Holy Communion from Constantinople, and he placed it inside the Nemesius’s chest, but he noticed that the spirit slowly corroded the sigillum of Emperor Arcadius, which turned out to be made of bronze. Believing that this revelation would shake the monastic trust in his rank, he reported the sigillum lost. Executed by Emperor Constantine XI Dragases Palaeologus after a plead by the Abbot Hegoumenos of the Great Lavra. 

Pallikarov, Sergei [26 September 1963– 6 April 2019] Former First Sergeant of the Spetsnaz of the Soviet Navy. One of the first members of the “Moscow, Novgorod and Dependencies” hamlet of Pellegrina. Head of the Varangian Guard after the death of Elias Becharas. Died in the “Pellegrina Massacre”.  

Pan (God of the Greek and Roman Panthea) Half-man half-goat god residing in the forests. The word panic derives from the god's name.

Paschke, Edward Francis [22 June 1939— 25 November 2004] Postmodernist American painter of Polish descent.

Persephone (Goddess of the Greek and Roman Panthea) Daughter of Demetra (Ceres) and wife of God Pluton. She spends six months on the earth during spring and summer and six months in Hades with her husband during autumn and winter. 

Petrus of Cardona (Cardinal Pietro di Cardona) [3 July 1964— ] Former Augustinian monk and currently a Catholic Cardinal. Studied Theology at the Universidad de Montevideo and Law at the Cornell University. Cardinal responsible for the Ecumenical Dialogue and the Catholic-Anglican Canon Law Commission. 

Phoebe (see: Aoun-Bechara, Phoebe) Wife of late Elias Becharas and mother of Youssef Becharas. Died in December 2014.

Piero di Cosimo [2 January 1462— 12 April 1522] Italian painter of the Renaissance.

Pietro (see: Moretti, Pietro)

Pindari, Ali Mustafa [6 May 1966— ] American Pakistani skateboarder and DJ.

Plato (Platon of Athens) [424 BC— 348 BC] Athenian philosopher, student of Socrates and founder of the Academy and the Platonist school of thought.

Plotinus [c. 205— 270] Hellenistic philosopher who enhanced several themes of Platonism.

Poe, Edgar Allan (Edgar Poe) [19 January 1809— 7 October 1849] American poet and writer. He is credited with pioneering the detective story and influencing early science fiction. Works like The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher, and The Tell-Tale Heart showcase his themes of death, madness, and obsession. Poe’s life was marked by hardship, poverty, and personal tragedy, and his mysterious death in 1849 added to his legend.  

Polonski, Victor [16 May 1954— ] Son of the Soviet General Gennadi Polonski and Head of the “Moscow, Novgorod and Dependencies” hamlet of Pellegrina. Close friend of Elias Becharas.    

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Qadeer (Mister Qadeer. see: Khan, Qadeer Idriss)

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Raae, Ganeetha [13 May 2000− ] Head of the Logistics (Cleaner) at the “Drunk & Spider Resort” and the “JS Haute Horlogerie Lanka” since December 2019. Former member of the cleaning services staff, and former assistant caretaker in the “Drunk & Spider Resort”.    

Ranslet, Pia [3 July 1956− ] Danish painter and sculptor known for her expressive realism. Raised in an artistic family—her parents are sculptor Arne Ranslet and painter Tulla Blomberg Ranslet—she studied art history and fine arts across institutions in Copenhagen and Stockholm

Rasputin, Grigori [21 January 1869 - 30 December 1916] was a Russian mystic and self-proclaimed holy man who gained enormous influence in the late Romanov court. Born to a peasant family in Siberia, he entered religious life as a wandering pilgrim and healer. Rasputin became close to Tsar Nicholas II and especially Tsarina Alexandra, who believed he could heal their hemophiliac son, Alexei. His influence over political appointments and court affairs made him deeply unpopular among nobles and politicians. Seen as corrupt and immoral, he was assassinated in 1916 by conspirators hoping to save the monarchy, though his legend as “the mad monk” endures.

Raul Domingo (see: Uriarte, Raul Domingo)

Rosen, Martin [7 May 1986– reported missing 15 November 2018] A Canterbury native and employee of the Royal Mail since 2012, Martin studied at King Ethelbert School before enrolling in the Central School of Speech and Drama. He graduated in 2011, but never pursued an actor’s career. Playing the role of Gogo in Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” in 2014 was his last role and is considered one of his most memorable performances.   

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Sabir (see: Sayyed, Sabir)

Sajak, Pat [26 October 1946— ] American television personality best known as the longtime host of the game show Wheel of Fortune. He began hosting the program in 1981, becoming a household name with his easygoing style and humor. Over four decades, he turned the show into one of the most popular syndicated programs in U.S. history. Beyond Wheel of Fortune, Sajak has worked as a radio DJ, talk show host, and occasional actor. He announced his retirement in 2023, marking the end of an era in American television.

Sandro (see: Botticelli, Sandro)

Satanail (see: Lucifer)

Saul of Tarsus (Paul the Apostle) [c. 5— c. 67] Jewish Pharisee who converted to Christianity after a dramatic vision of Christ on the road to Damascus. He became one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, spreading the faith across the Roman Empire through missionary journeys, especially among Gentiles. Paul’s letters (Epistles) to early Christian communities form a significant part of the New Testament, shaping Christian theology on grace, salvation, and the nature of the Church. He was martyred in Rome, traditionally by beheading under Emperor Nero.

Sayyed, Ahmed Rashid (Imam Ahmed) [2 October 1939— 17 November 1993] Born in Taxila from the Royal Family of Great Sayyeds of the Pashtun Tribe, he served as the Imam of the Um-E-Ammarah mosque. A conservative but fair cleric, Imam lived by the example of the Prophet. 

Sayyed, Irum Sumaira [29 July 1974— 6 April 2019] Daughter of the respected Imam Ahmed Rashid Sayyed of Taxila, sister of Kashif and Sabir Sayyed and wife of Qadeer Idriss Khan. Mother of four.  Died in the “Pellegrina Massacre”. 

Seneca (Seneca the Younger, Lucius Annaeus Seneca) [3— 65] Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and tutor to Emperor Nero. Born in Corduba (modern Córdoba, Spain) and raised in Rome, he became a leading intellectual of his time, writing philosophical essays and tragedies that explored themes of ethics, fate, and self-control. His works, such as On the Shortness of Life and Letters to Lucilius, remain central to Stoic thought. Despite his influence, Seneca’s political career was marked by tension and compromise under Nero. Accused of conspiracy, he was forced to commit suicide in 65 AD.

Sergei (see: Pallikarov, Sergei)

Sérusier, Paul [9 November 1864 – 7 October 1927] French painter and key figure in the Symbolist and Post-Impressionist movements. A pupil of Paul Gauguin, he founded the artist group Les Nabis, which sought to infuse art with spirituality and symbolism. His famous work The Talisman (1888), painted under Gauguin’s guidance, became a manifesto for the group, emphasizing bold colors and simplified forms over realism.

Seurat, Georges [2 December 1859— 29 March 1891] French painter and pioneer of Neo-Impressionism. He developed pointillism (or divisionism), a technique using tiny dots of pure color that blend in the viewer’s eye. His masterpiece, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1884–86), is a landmark of modern art, combining scientific theories of color with meticulous composition. Though he died young at 31, Seurat’s innovations profoundly influenced later artists, including the Fauves and Cubists.

Severinus (Bishop Severinus, Saint Seurin de Bordeaux) [5 December 371— 17 August 420] Bishop and early Christian saint venerated in Aquitaine. Tradition holds he was a missionary sent from the East to Saint Martial of Limoges. As bishop of Bordeaux, he defended the faith during times of turmoil following the decline of Roman authority in Gaul.

Shakespeare, William [26 April 1564— 23 April 1616] English playwright, poet, and actor, often regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. He authored 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several narrative poems. His works explore universal themes of love, power, betrayal, and the human condition. Performed at the Globe Theatre in London, they shaped English drama and influenced literature worldwide. Shakespeare’s inventive language, complex characters, and poetic brilliance earned him the title of the “Bard of Avon”

Shimun XXI Eshai (or XXIII, Catholicos Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East) [26 February 1908— 6 November 1975] Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East from 1920 until his assassination in 1975. Enthroned at just 12 years old after his predecessor’s death, he led the church through a turbulent era marked by persecution, exile, and diaspora following the Assyrian genocide and political upheavals in Iraq and Iran. Living much of his patriarchate in exile, he sought unity for his dispersed flock and dialogue with other Christian traditions. His tragic death in California ended a centuries-old hereditary patriarchal line.

Shiva (God Shiva, Lord Shiva) One of the principal deities of Hinduism, revered as part of the Trimurti alongside Brahma and Vishnu. Known as “The Destroyer” or “The Transformer,” Shiva embodies both ascetic meditation and cosmic power. He is often depicted with matted hair, the crescent moon, the river Ganga flowing from his locks, and a third eye symbolizing spiritual wisdom. His attributes include the trident (trishula) and the damaru drum. Worshipped in many forms—especially as the lingam—Shiva represents destruction as a path to renewal, embodying both fierce and benevolent aspects of divine existence.

Sigyn (Goddess of the Norse pantheon, wife of god Loki) Goddess in Norse mythology, best known as the loyal wife of the trickster god Loki. She is most often depicted in the myth where Loki is punished after causing the death of Baldr: bound beneath the earth with a venomous serpent dripping poison onto his face. Sigyn sits faithfully by his side, holding an urn to catch the venom. When she turns to empty it, drops fall on Loki, causing his agonizing writhing, which the myths link to earthquakes.

Sileny, Daniel [17 February 1947– 6 February 2009] Reformist in the Communist Party, close friend of the First Secretary Alexander  Dubček. Held the office of the Undersecretary of the Party for a brief in 1967, the youngest person to hold the Office and wrote a letter to three members of the party titled “Socialismus s lidskou tváří” (Socialism with a human face). The title became later the slogan for the Dubček’s reforms.  

Sileny, Jelinek (Napthali Sileny) [2 December 1981— ] Czech-Swiss Master Watchmaker, youngest son of the Communist Party official Daniel Sileny and brother of the hotelier Leos Sileny. Worked as an apprentice of PRIM Watches in Czechia before moving to Geneva to work for Venus. Later moved to FLORIZEL as a Master. He holds several master’s degrees in various subjects. But not one in Theology.    

Sileny, Leos [29 August 1978— 6 April 2019] Born in Czechia, first son of the Communist Party official Daniel Sileny. Proprietor of the “Drunk & Spider Resort” in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Father of two, brother of Master Watchmaker Jelinek Sileny. Former Youtuber and Post-Modern Sculptor. Certified Part-time private investigator. Died in the “Pellegrina Massacre”.

Sly, Christopher Fictional character in William Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew. He appears in the Induction, a comic framing device, where he is introduced as a drunken tinker found asleep outside an alehouse. A mischievous lord tricks him into believing he is a nobleman, arranging a play (the main story of The Taming of the Shrew) for his entertainment. After the Induction, Sly disappears from the action, leaving scholars to debate whether Shakespeare intended to return to him at the end. Sly serves as a humorous lens on themes of illusion, identity, and transformation.

Socrates [469– 399 BC] Classical Greek philosopher, often regarded as the father of Western philosophy. He left no writings of his own; his ideas are known mainly through his student Plato and others. Socrates emphasized the Socratic method—a style of questioning to expose contradictions and stimulate critical thinking. He focused on ethics, virtue, and the examined life, famously declaring that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Accused of impiety and corrupting Athenian youth, he was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock. His life and trial profoundly shaped philosophy, inspiring debates on truth, justice, and morality.

Soglo, Christophe [28 June 1909— 7 October 1983] Beninese army officer and political figure. Trained in the French military, he fought in World War II and later rose in rank in Dahomey (modern-day Benin). He became head of state after leading two coups: first in 1963, overthrowing Hubert Maga, and again in 1965, toppling Sourou-Migan Apithy and Justin Ahomadégbé. His rule was transitional, marked by attempts to stabilize the country amid political rivalries. Soglo handed power back to civilians but remained a central military influence until his retirement. He is remembered as both a stabilizer and a symbol of Dahomey’s turbulent early independence years.

Solomon (King of Israel Solomon, son of David) [c. 990 BC— c. 931 BC] Biblical son of King David and Bathsheba and the third king of Israel. Renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, he is traditionally credited with constructing the First Temple in Jerusalem, making it the center of Israelite worship. Solomon’s reign is often portrayed as a golden age of peace and prosperity, though later biblical texts criticize his acceptance of foreign wives and idols. He is associated with wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. The medieval grimoire of ceremonial magic, Salomonis Clavicula, is attributed pseudonymously to King Solomon. Likely compiled between the 14th and 17th centuries, it draws on earlier Jewish, Arabic, and Greco-Roman magical traditions. The text provides instructions for invoking angels, summoning spirits, creating talismans, and performing rituals using prayers, symbols, and planetary correspondences. It emphasizes purity, elaborate preparations, and divine authority as essential for success. Widely influential in Western occultism, the Key of Solomon inspired later grimoires such as the Lemegeton (Lesser Key of Solomon), shaping Renaissance and modern ceremonial magic traditions.

Stalin, Joseph (Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin or Jughashvili) [18 December 1878— 5 March 1953] Leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death. Rose within the Bolshevik Party after the Russian Revolution. As General Secretary, he consolidated power through purges, repression, and a cult of personality. Stalin’s policies included forced collectivization, rapid industrialization, and the Great Terror, which caused millions of deaths. He led the USSR through World War II, emerging as a superpower rival to the U.S. in the Cold War.

Stern, William (Gill) [18 February 1988 – (disappeared)15 November 2018]  Born in Toronto Canada. Seasonal employee of the Royal Mail since 2016. He earned a scholarship in Animal Science but never enrolled, preferring to work at the Canterbury Golf Club and Driving Range before joining the Royal Mail.  

Symeon the Nigerian (Saint Simeon of Niger) also known as Simeon Niger, was a prophet and teacher in the early church at Antioch, mentioned in the Book of Acts. He is referred to as "Simeon called Niger," and "Niger" is interpreted as a nickname meaning "black" in Latin, suggesting he was a dark-skinned individual, possibly of African descent. Some historians suggest he might be the same person as Simon of Cyrene, the man who carried the cross of Jesus.

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T

Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich [7 May 1840— 6 November 1893] Russian composer of the Romantic era, celebrated for his emotionally expressive and melodic music. He wrote symphonies, operas, concertos, chamber works, and some of the most famous ballets ever composed, including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker. His music blends Western European traditions with Russian folk elements, marked by lush orchestration and deep lyricism. Despite his success, Tchaikovsky struggled with personal turmoil and depression.

Tertullianus (Tertullian, Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus) [155— 240] Early Christian author and theologian from Carthage in Roman North Africa. Trained as a lawyer, he was one of the first major Latin Christian writers, shaping Western theology with his sharp, polemical style. He introduced terms such as Trinitas (Trinity) and defended Christianity against pagan critics. Later in life, he adopted Montanism, a rigorist movement emphasizing prophecy and moral strictness, which distanced him from the broader Church. Despite this, his writings strongly influenced later thinkers like Cyprian and Augustine. He is often called the “Father of Latin Christianity.”

Theodore (Bishop Theodore of Mopsuestia) [c. 351— 428] Prominent Christian theologian and biblical exegete from Antioch, later bishop of Mopsuestia in Cilicia. A key representative of the Antiochene school, he emphasized historical and literal interpretation of Scripture over allegory. He wrote extensively on Christology, insisting on the real humanity of Christ, which later associated him with Nestorian thought, though he died in communion with the Church. His works influenced the Church of the East, but in the 6th century, he was posthumously condemned at the Second Council of Constantinople (553 AD). He is remembered as a brilliant yet controversial thinker.

Theodosius I (Emperor Theodosius the Great, Flavius Theodosius Augustus) [11 January 347 – 17 January 395] Roman emperor from 379 until his death. He is best known for making Nicene Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire through the Edict of Thessalonica (380). He also ended state support for pagan cults and closed many temples, accelerating the Christianization of the empire. Militarily, he defended the empire against Goths and other threats, though he also allowed foederati settlements within Roman territory. After his death, the empire was permanently divided between his two sons: Honorius in the West and Arcadius in the East.

Theodosius the Young (Flavius Theodosius Junior Augustus) [10 April 401— 28 July 450] Eastern Roman (Byzantine) emperor from 408 to 450. Crowned as a child, his long reign was heavily influenced by his sister Pulcheria and court officials. He is best remembered for commissioning the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople, which protected the city for centuries, and for the Theodosian Code (438), a monumental codification of Roman law. His reign also saw religious controversies, including the Nestorian and Monophysite disputes, and the Council of Ephesus (431). Generally cautious and scholarly, Theodosius II was more a patron of learning and piety than a military ruler.

Thor (see: Donar)

Timon (see: Comteau, Timon)

Tintoretto (Jacopo Comin Robusti) [September 1518— 31 May 1594] Venetian painter of the Renaissance. Nicknamed Il Furioso for his energetic and dramatic style, he combined Michelangelo’s powerful figures with Titian’s rich color. His works are marked by bold perspective, dynamic movement, and striking contrasts of light and shadow. Tintoretto produced monumental canvases for Venice, including the vast cycle in the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, depicting biblical scenes with intense spirituality.

Totapuri (Saint Totapuri, Parivrajaka Totapuri) [unknown— 16 November 1884.]  Hindu monk of the Advaita Vedanta tradition. He is best remembered as the guru who initiated Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa into Advaita Vedanta at Dakshineswar in 1865. Totapuri emphasized non-duality (advaita), teaching that the ultimate reality is beyond form and attributes, and he guided Ramakrishna into the formless experience of Brahman. A lifelong parivrajaka (wandering renunciate), Totapuri traveled widely across India, embodying detachment and ascetic discipline. His encounter with Ramakrishna helped shape the latter’s synthesis of devotion (bhakti) and non-dual philosophy.

Travolta, John (John Joseph Travolta) [18 February 1954— ] American actor, singer, and dancer who rose to fame in the 1970s with the TV series Welcome Back, Kotter and films like Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978), which made him a cultural icon. After a career decline in the 1980s, he revived his status with Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction (1994), earning an Academy Award nomination.

Trebek, Alex [22 July 1940− 8 November 2020] Canadian-American television host best known for hosting the quiz show Jeopardy! from 1984 until his death. Renowned for his calm demeanor, quick wit, and authoritative yet friendly style, he became a beloved figure in American television. Over his career, Trebek won numerous Daytime Emmy Awards and became synonymous with Jeopardy! itself.

Troilus (Troilus of Constantinople) [367— 6 November 403] A native of Side, was the adviser of Anthemius, the future Emperor Theodosius II’s regent. A skilled and influential rhetorician, one of the few remaining Epicurean teachers of the early 5th century AD. He is mostly known from his work «Prolegomena to the Rhetoric of Hermogenes» most probably the only extant writing of Troilus.

Tuoba Tao [408– 452], (Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei) Ruler of the Xianbei-led Northern Wei dynasty in China. Ascending the throne in 423, he expanded the empire through aggressive military campaigns, defeating the Rouran nomads and conquering rival states in northern China, consolidating Wei power. His reign marked the strengthening of centralized authority and Sinicization efforts, though he remained rooted in Xianbei traditions. Notably, he persecuted Buddhism in favor of Daoism during the 440s. Tuoba Tao was assassinated in 452, but he is remembered as one of Northern Wei’s most formidable emperors.

Tyr (God Týr) Norse god associated with law, justice, and heroic sacrifice. He is often depicted as a one-handed warrior, having lost his right hand to the wolf Fenrir during the gods’ attempt to bind the beast with the magical chain Gleipnir. Týr placed his hand in Fenrir’s mouth as a pledge of good faith, knowing the trap would cost him dearly.

U

Uriarte, Raul Domingo [2 April 1981− 7 November 2018] Born in Los Cardales, near Buenos Aires, the third son of Maria Uriarte. Despite his turbulent past, his marriage with Helena Soria, his classmate from high school, and the birth of his daughter Estefanía inspired him to settle and get a permanent job at the construction sector. Murdered by his wife after the loss of his daughter by suffocation.   

V

Valac (Demon Valac) (Ualac, or Valu) Demon described in the 17th-century grimoire Ars Goetia, part of The Lesser Key of Solomon, although well known from the first centuries AD. He is said to appear as a small boy with angelic wings, riding a two-headed dragon. Valac is considered the 62nd spirit of the 72 demons of Solomon

Váli (God of the Norse pantheon) Son of Loki according to the Younger Edda. His brother Váli assassinated him and was cursed to wander transformed to a wolf.

Vapula (or Demon Naphula) Demon mentioned in the Ars Goetia of The Lesser Key of Solomon. He is listed as the 60th spirit, a powerful duke of Hell commanding 36 legions of demons. Vapula appears in the form of a lion with griffin-like wings.

Vardan of the Mamikonians (Saint Vartan) [387— 451] Armenian military commander and martyr, venerated as a national hero and saint in the Armenian Apostolic Church. A member of the powerful Mamikonian noble family, he led the Armenians in the Battle of Avarayr (451 AD) against the Sassanid Persians, who sought to impose Zoroastrianism on Christian Armenia. Though the battle ended in military defeat, Vardan’s resistance preserved Armenia’s Christian faith and inspired later struggles for religious freedom.

Venus (Goddess of the Greek and Roman Panthea, Aphrodite) Goddess of love, beauty, desire, and fertility. One of the twelve Olympians. According to myth, she was born from the sea foam near Cyprus. She was closely linked to Eros (Cupid in Roman myth) and had many lovers, both mortal and divine.

Velutus, Sicinius. Fictional character in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, an old bearded man, named as one of the tribunes of the Roman people after the latter’s riots force the establishment of that office. Plots with his fellow tribune Brutus to bring about Coriolanus’s downfall. Refuses to trust Coriolanus’s attempts at humility, but to achieve his end of destroying the man he slips into duplicity and subterfuge, pushing Coriolanus into public anger and treasonous words. For all that he acts in the people’s best interest, he does not actually like them much himself.

Vesta (or Hestia, Goddess of the Greek and Roman Panthea) Roman goddess of the hearth, home, and family, closely associated with fire as the sacred center of domestic and civic life. Her temple in Rome housed the eternal flame, tended by the Vestal Virgins, priestesses chosen to guard it. The flame’s extinction was considered a grave omen for the Roman state.

Victor (see: Polonski, Victor)

Vishnu (God Vishnu, Lord Vishnu or Bishnu) One of the principal deities of Hinduism, revered as the Preserver and Protector within the Trimurti (with Brahma the Creator and Shiva the Destroyer). Vishnu sustains cosmic order (dharma) and descends to earth through avatars, most famously Rama and Krishna, to restore balance whenever it is threatened by evil. He is often depicted with blue skin, holding a conch, discus, mace, and lotus, and resting on the cosmic serpent Shesha. Worship of Vishnu, known as Vaishnavism, is among the largest devotional traditions in Hinduism.

W

White, Vanna [18 February 1957− ] American television personality and actress, best known as the longtime co-host and puzzle-board presenter of the game show Wheel of Fortune. She joined the show in 1982 and became famous for her glamorous presence and signature role of revealing letters. Over the decades, she has become a pop culture icon, holding a Guinness World Record for most frequent clapper.

Y

Yevgeni (see: Ismaylov, Yevgeni)

Youssef (see: Becharas, Youssef)

Yurovsky, Yakov [19 June 1878— 2 August 1938] Bolshevik revolutionary and Soviet official, best known as the chief executioner of Tsar Nicholas II, his family, and their attendants in Yekaterinburg in July 1918. Born into a poor Jewish family, he joined the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution and rose in the Cheka (secret police). As commandant of the Ipatiev House, he organized and oversaw the Romanovs’ execution, later justifying it as a political necessity. Afterward, he held various administrative and security posts in the Soviet state.

Z

Zephyrus (Wind God of the Greek and Roman Panthea) God of the west wind, considered the mildest and most favorable of the Anemoi (wind gods). He heralded spring and early summer, bringing life-giving breezes and fertile rains. Often depicted as youthful and winged, he was associated with flowers and love. According to legend, Zephyrus loved the nymph Chloris (later Flora, goddess of flowers), and together they symbolized spring’s renewal.

Zyuganov, Gennady [26 June 1944— ] Russian politician and longtime leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF). Emerging as the main opposition figure in post-Soviet Russia, he ran for president multiple times, most notably in 1996 when he came close to defeating Boris Yeltsin. Zyuganov advocates a mix of Soviet-style socialism, Russian nationalism, and traditional religious values, opposing Western liberalism while supporting strong state control of the economy. Though his influence has declined in recent years, he remains a central figure in Russian politics and a symbolic voice for communist and patriotic voters.