Death to
Muslim Invaders!
The Battle of Belgrade (also called the Siege of Nándorfehérvár)
took place on 22 July 1456.
After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans were
attempting to subjugate the Kingdom of Hungary as well. The primary target of
the campaign was the city of Belgrade in modern Serbia. John Hunyadi (Hunyadi
János), a Hungarian leader and warlord who had fought many battles against the
Ottomans in the previous two decades, prepared the defense of Belgrade.
The bulk of the Christian army was formed by crusader-peasants recruited by the
Franciscan friar Giovanni da Capistrano. The Ottoman siege escalated into a
major battle, during which Hunyadi led a counterattack, overrunning the
Ottomans, causing the Ottoman leader Mehmed II to retreat.
This Christian victory delayed the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. The day is commemorated as a national day in Hungary. The Feast of the Transfiguration was made a universal feast in the Western Church to commemorate the victory. On 29 June 1456 Pope Callixtus III ordered the bells of every European church to be rung at noon as a reminder to pray for the crusaders in Belgrade, and churches throughout Europe and around the world to this day still ring bells at noon.
This Christian victory delayed the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. The day is commemorated as a national day in Hungary. The Feast of the Transfiguration was made a universal feast in the Western Church to commemorate the victory. On 29 June 1456 Pope Callixtus III ordered the bells of every European church to be rung at noon as a reminder to pray for the crusaders in Belgrade, and churches throughout Europe and around the world to this day still ring bells at noon.
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