This week in Christian history: ‘Earthquake Synod,’ Edict of Worms issued, Italian preacher executed

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, May 21, 2023

‘Earthquake Synod’ denounces John Wycliffe – May 21, 1382

John Wycliffe (circa 1330 - 1384), a philosopher and theologian who oversaw what is believed to be the first translation of the Bible into English. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when a synod was held in London, England, that would condemn the works of pioneering Bible translator and writer John Wycliffe.

Overseen by Archbishop of Canterbury William Courtnay, the gathering became known as the “Earthquake Synod” because the proceedings were interrupted by a sudden tremor.

Wycliffe had garnered backlash for his efforts to translate the Bible into English, which was illegal at the time, and for calling out some of the corrupt practices of the Catholic Church.

“A learned man, Courtnay — following Aristotle — explained to the terrified delegates that it was simply the Earth naturally expelling noxious fumes,” wrote historian Mike Paterson in 2015.

“Wycliffe’s followers, the Lollards, on the contrary interpreted the quake as God’s anger at the Synod. This earthquake caused sufficient turbulence in the Thames to capsize boats and quite severely damage St Paul’s.”