medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (6. August) is the feast day of:
Felicissimus and Agapitus (d. 258) Felicissimus and Agapitus were deacons
under Pope Sixtus II (whose feast day is also today), and suffered
martyrdom with him in Rome. They were buried along the Via Appia; in 1927
the gravestone was found, upon which Pope Damasus (d. 384) honored the
martyrs with a hymn. The relics of the two deacons were moved to Bavaria
in 842---a present from the pope, arranged by the abbot of Niederaltaich.
The feast day was originally 7. August in Rome, but was moved so it would
not conflict with the anniversary of the the consecration of Santa Maria
Maggiore.
Justus and Pastor (d. c. 303) Prudentius describes Justus and Pastor as
the most famous martyrs of Spain. According to tradition, they were two
brothers, aged 13 and 9, martyred in Diocletian's persecution in Alcala
near Madrid. The cult spread at an early age throughout Spain and southern
France.
Hormisdas (d. 523) Hormisdas was born in the mid fifth century in
Frosinone (Italy). In 514 he was elected pope. During his administration
the Roman empire recognized the Roman church as the highest authority for
questions of belief and ecclesiastical teaching.
Schetzel (d. 1138) Never formally canonized, Schetzel still has a popular
cult. Schetzel was a hermit who lived in a cave in Luxembourg. In his
lifetime he was much-visited for his counsel. His cave and spring are
still visited by pilgrims today.
Gezelin of Altenberg (blessed) (d. 1149, or perhaps 1137) Gezelin was a
Cistercian laybrother. In c. 1135 he came to Altenberg where he worked as
a shepherd until his death and led a strict eremitical life. Already in
his lifetime he was famous for working miracles, for example during a
drought a fountain sprang up at his prayer.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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