THOMAS A BECKET - A SAINTLY LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS............

St. Thomas a Becket, also known as Thomas of Canterbury, and Thomas of London, was a twelvth century Christian, born in about 1118 A.D., was Archbishop of Canterbury, from 1162 - 1170 A.D.  A staunch defender and prelate of the Catholic-Christian Church and Faith Tradition, as Thomas stood up to King Henry II, and thwarted his attempts to take royal control of the Church and it's ecclesial rights and responsibilities.  The enduring struggle with the King, led to Archbishop Becket's martyrdom, as supporters of King Henry descended upon the Canterbury Cathedral on December 29, 1170; and assassinated him.  In less than three years following his death, Thomas a Becket was both beatified and canonized as a Saint of the Church, by Pope Alexander III, on March 21, 1173.  He is venerated in the Faith Traditions of both the Roman Catholic Church, and the Worldwide Anglican Community............tdp