medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (1. January) is the feast day of:
Basil the Great (d. 379) Basil, a doctor of the Church, was one of the
fathers of eastern monasticism, besides being one of Christianity's great
theologians and an impressive preacher. He was born in 329/330 in Caesarea
in Cappadocia, the son of a Christian family. Basil studied in Athens and
Constantinople and became a well-known rhetorician. Impressed by
monasticism, though, Basil gave up his secular life, being baptized in 356
and retreating from the world with his friend Gregory of Nazianzus. In 370
Basil became archbishop of Caesarea.
Telemachos (4th cent.?) Telemachos, according to legend, was an eastern
monk who came to Rome to oppose gladiatorial games. He so outraged the
people that way that they stoned him to death. The story may go back to a
martyr named Alamachios who was killed in Rome by gladiators, and whose
feast day is also 1. January.
Euphrosyna of Alexandria (d. c. 470) According to legend, Euphrosyna lived
for nearly forty years in a monastery disguised as a man, to avoid
marriage. According to one account, her father recognized her shortly
before her death; another source reports that her sex was only discovered
after she had died.
Fulgentius of Ruspe (d. 532/533) Fulgentius, from Telepte in North Africa,
became bishop of Ruspe (Tunisia) in c. 507. The main activity of his
career was the struggle against Arianism. He had to flee Vandal
persecution twice, spending years in exile in Sardinia.
Clarus (d. 660) Clarus was abbot of the monastery of St-Marcel in Vienne
from 620 until his death. He was highly honored even during his lifetime,
and after his death many churches were named after him. His cult is still
active in many areas of France. His cult was approved in 1903.
William of Dijon (d. 1031) William was the son of a Swabian count, born in
962. He was related to Empress Adelheid, as a result of which Otto I and
Adelheid served as his godparents. William became a monk at Locedio,
moving in 987 to Cluny. In 990 he became abbot of St-Benigne in Dijon,
making this house into a major reforming center. He attracted so many
monks that soon he had to found daughter houses. He is not formally
canonized.
Odilo of Cluny (d. 1049) Odilo was one of the great abbots of Cluny. He
is responsible for the creation of the feast of All Souls. Odilo entered
Cluny in 991, at the age of 30, and became abbot in 994. During his 50
years in office Cluny grew enormously in popular prestige and number of
daughter houses.
Bonfiglio Monaldi (d. 1262) Bonfiglio was a native of Florence. He was
one of the seven companions who founded the Servite order, and was chosen
as the leader of the first group. Bonfiglio was responsible for the first
organization of the community. After 23 years, Bonifiglio withdrew from
the community, spending the rest of his life as a hermit. The seven
founders, including Bonfiglio, were canonized in 1888.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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