medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (1. February) is the feast day of:
Pionios (d. 250) We still have an eyewitness account of Pionios' martyrdom
(he was burned at the stake) in 250. He was a priest in Smyrna. At a
commemorative celebration for St. Polycarp, Pionios was arrested,
imprisoned for several weeks, tortured, and then finally nailed to a stake
and burned.
Severus of Ravenna (d. c. 350) According to legend, Severus was a wool
weaver in Ravenna. One day, when a new bishop of Ravenna was being
elected, a dove hovered over Severus' head and he was immediately chosen.
A further legend reports that, as his death approached, Severus had the
tomb of his wife and daughter opened, put their skeletons to one side, and
laid himself in the grave and died.
Brigid of Kildare (d. c. 525) Brigid is, with Patrick and Columcille one
of the three patron saints of Ireland. She was probably born in c. 453;
legend reports that she was baptized by St. Patrick. It seems certain that
she founded the monastery of Kildare in c. 500; it may have been the
earliest monastery on the island. Beyond that, it is hard to discover the
historic woman, especially since there are at least 15 saints and 3
goddesses named Brigid, and B of Kildare took on characteristics of many of
them. My favorite story is that, when she came to be veiled, the
celebrating bishop accidentally read the service for consecrating a bishop
over her---which is why (says the legend) the abbesses of Kildare had the
honor and status of bishops until 1152.
Severus of Avranches (d. c. 590) This Severus was a monk and hermit who
became bishop of Avranches (Normandy) in the mid-sixth century. Shortly
before his death, he abdicated and returned to the monastic life.
Sigibert III (d. 656) Sigibert III, born in c. 630, became king of
Austrasia (Franks) at the age of three. He received a thoroughgoing
Christian education and after his death was venerated as a saint for many
centuries, especially in Lotharingia (his relics havebeen in Nancy since
1603). He is most famous for founding the twin monasteries of Stablo and
Malmedy (Belgium).
Andreas de Comitibus (blessed) (d. 1302) Andreas, born in 1240 in Anagni
(Italy), was related to four popes. Boniface VIII offered to make him a
cardinal, but Andreas refused and became a Franciscan friar. Until his
death, he lived as a hermit near Anagni. His cult was approved in 1724.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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