medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (23. March) is the feast day of:
Gwinear, Phiala, and Companions (d. 460) Gwinear is the subject of a vita
written eight centuries after his purported death. According to this
account, Gwinear was an Irish prince. Although his father was firmly
opposed to Christianity, Gwinear while still a pagan treated St. Patrick
with courtesy. Soon afterwards, while hunting and thinking about the new
religion, Gwinear converted; he released his horse and stayed in the forest
as a hermit. After his father died, Gwinear took 770 male and female
companions (including his sister Phiala) and set out to spread Christianity
in Wales and Brittany. His travels were marked by miracles; my favorite is
that one day, when thirsty, he caused three fountains to spring up---one
each for himself, his dog, and his horse. Finally Gwinear and many of his
companions were killed by an evil Cornish tyrant (who kept a lake filled
with reptiles, into which he threw people he disliked).
Victorian, Frumentius, and Companions (d. 484) Victorian was a wealth
Catholic of North Africa, appointed proconsul by the Vandal king Huneric.
He was loyal to the regime, but refused to accept the Arian faith at
Huneric's demand. He and several other wealthy Catholics were made an
example of, tortured to death in Adrumetum.
Benedict the Hermit (d. c. 550) Benedict was, as his name suggests, a
hermit in Campagna. The Goths tried to burn him alive, but he escaped
miraculously.
Ethelwald of Farne (d. 699) Ethelwald succeeded Cuthbert as hermit on the
isle of Farne in 687. Bede reports that the saint miraculously calmed a
storm at sea, saving several monks from shipwreck. His relics were moved
from place to place along with those of Cuthbert, finally reaching Durham.
Florence of Worcester credits Ethelwald with many miracles.
Merbot (Marbold) (blessed) (d. 1120) Merbot was a monk of Mehrerau near
Bregenz on Lake Constance. He became a hermit nearby and a noted spiritual
advisor. On this day in 1120, however, he was murdered in his cell by
persons unknown. An important pilgrimage to his tomb developed.
Lukardis (d. 1309) Not formally canonized. Lukardis was from Thuringia,
born in c. 1274. After her entry into the Cistercian order she enjoyed a
great number of mystical experiences and illnesses, culminating in the
stigmata.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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