medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (23. September) is the feast day of:
Thekla (1st cent.) A strong cult of Thekla evolved in the fourth century
and spread throughout the Christian world. According to the legendary and
rather fabulous passio of this saint, Thekla lived in Iconium. She was
converted to Christianity by Paul. Sentenced to be burned to death by
anti-Christian persecutors, she miraculously survived and traveled with
Paul to Antioch. Condemned again, she was thrown to the beasts in the
arena---and miraculously survived again. She followed Paul on further
journeys, and eventually died peacefully in her homeland. Despite this,
Thekla was honored in the eastern church as "arch-martyr." Her feast is
celebrated on 24. September in the Greek Church.
Linus (d. c. 78) In the earliest church, Linus was regarded as the first
bishop of Rome; only in the third century did Peter come to be reckoned as
the first, and Linus his successor. Linus led the Christians of Rome from
c. 66 until his death.
Adomnán (d. 704) Adomnan was ninth abbot of Iona, a kinsman of St.
Columcille. He helped introduce Roman practices (especially the Roman
method of calculating the date of Easter) to Ireland, and also is credited
with producing the "Law of Adomnán" (Cáin Adomnáin). This law, also known
as the "law of the innocents," deals primarily with the protection of women
from the endemic warfare of Irish society. The preface to the
ninth-century version of the law tells how Adomnán's mother forced him to
proclaim the law by first starving him, then burying him alive until she
won his agreement. Adomnán is best known as the author of a Life of
Columcille, and also of a treatise on the Holy Land.
Rotrudis of Neuburg (d. c. 1020) Rotrudis was first abbess of the convent
of Neuburg on the Danube, founded by Emperor Henry II in c. 1002. She was
highly honored by Henry and his wife Kunigunde, and many people of all
ranks came to her for advice.
Petrus Acontato (blessed) (d. 1180) Petrus was born in Venice in c. 1115
and became a Benedictine novice at a young age. Before he had made his
profession, though, he had to return to the world because his father had
died and he had to care for his family. Decades later, after his wife
died, Petrus returned to the Venetian monastery of S. Giorgio, finally
becoming a monk. Until his death he led a life of extreme penitence and
humility. Petrus Acontato is accounted among the patrons of Venice. His
cult was approved in 1598.
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
|