medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (7. August) is the feast day of:
Afra of Augsburg (d. 304) Afra appears already in a Milanese calendar of
saints from the fifth century. She was martyred in Diocletian's
persecution. She is supposed to have been bound to a tree on an island of
the Lech, and there burned to death. Venantius Fortunatus reports visiting
her grave in Augsburg in 565. In 1064 a Roman sarcophagus was found in the
church of St. Afra in Augsburg that contained a woman's bones, still
bearing the marks of fire; they were claimed as Afra's. According to
legend, Afra was a prostitute, converted and baptized by Bishop Narcissus
of Gerona. A further legend makes her a daughter of the king of Cyprus.
Donatus of Arezzo (d. 360/363) Donatus was bishop of Arezzo. He was
credited with many miracles in his lifetime. Anti-Christian persecutors
beheaded him. [I keep running across martyrs from the time of Julian the
Apostate. But I thought he didn't persecute Christians, unless you count
not allowing them to teach. Does anybody know anything about the matter?]
Victricius of Rouen (d. before 409) Victricius was born in Gaul in c. 330.
He served as a soldier and then in c. 380, although he was a layman, was
elected bishop of Rouen. He was one of the leading churchmen of his age;
some of his writings are still extent.
Donatus of Besancon (d. 659) This Donatus was a monk, elected bishop of
Besancon in c. 624. He was a great promoter of monasticism and among other
works wrote a "Regula ad Virgines," which combines elements of the rules of
Benedict and Columbanus.
Nantwin (d. 1286) Nantwin has long been honored as a folk saint in
Bavaria. He was a pilgrim, and is supposed to have been burned to death
after false testimony had been given against him, accusing him of
pederasty.
Albert of Trapani (d. 1307) Already as a child Albert entered the
Carmelite convent in Trapani on Sicily. As an adult, he became one of the
most famous preachers of Sicily, and converted many people. He was already
highly honored during his lifetime, and a cult rapidly developed after his
death. He was canonized in 1476.
Cajetan (d. 1547) As a student at Padua University, Cajetan distinguished
himself in the study of theology and law, but gave up plans for a secular
career and became a priest in 1516. In Rome, Vicenza, and Venice he
founded societies of clerics and laypeople to care for the sick and the
poor. In 1523 he founded the Theatine Order, inspired by a wish to restore
the purity and dignity of the clergy, care for the sick and poor, and
preach and provide pastoral care. The order became a spearhead for
Catholic reformation reform, although it was eclipsed by the Jesuits.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
[log in to unmask]
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|