medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (1. January) is the feast day of:
The Circumcision of Jesus
Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder (d. 374) Gregory was converted by his wife,
and soon after became bishop of Nazianzus. He was an important Christian
leader and built a large cathedral in his city, but is most famous for
fathering Gregory of Nazianzus the Younger.
Almachius (or Telemachus) (d. c. 400) A was an eastern monk. When
visiting Rome, he tried to stop gladiatorial contests by running into the
arena to separate the fighters. He didn't survive the experience; it's not
clear whether he was killed by the gladiators or the spectators.
Nevertheless, he is considered a martyr, and Emperor Honorius is supposed
to have abolished the gladiatorial games because of this event.
William of Dijon (d. 1031) William was the son of the count of Volpiano;
clearly an important person, since his godfather was Otto the Great.
William became a monk at Cluny in 978, and in 990 went on to found the
monastery of St. Benigne, Dijon. He was an important reformer and monastic
founder. Interestingly, he was canonized in 1950.
Odilo (d. 1049) Odilo became a monk of Cluny as a young man and succeeded
Maiolus as abbot in 994. It was under Odilo that Cluny became the most
important monastery of western Europe and expanded into a major
confederation of monasteries. He was canonized in 1063.
Henry of Clairvaux (d. 1189) Henry became abbot of Hautecombe in 1160 and
of Clairvaux in 1176. In 1179 he became cardinal bishop of Albano. He was
an important organizer of the Third Crusade.
Zdislava Berka (d. 1252) Zdislava was born in Bohemia in c. 1200. She
showed her piety at an early age, running away from home to live as a
hermit. But she came back, married a rich noble, and bore four children.
She was noted for her ascetic practices, charity (especially toward
refugees from the Mongols), and ecstatic experiences. She was canonized in
1995.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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