medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (4. April) is the feast day of:
Tigernach (d. c. 550) Tibernach was a priest who worked actively w/ Brigid
of Kildare and by tradition was her godson. Later legend made him a
bishop, and still later legend attributes his consecration to the pope, at
Brigid's request.
Isidore of Seville (d. 636) Isidore is a national saint of Spain, and is
sometimes called the "last western Church father." His writings were very
influential in church politics for centuries (and "Pseudo-Isidore" had even
more impact), and his Etymologies has inspired some to name Isidore the
patron saint of the computer. Isidore was born to a prominent family of
Cartagena in c.560. Three out of four of his siblings were also regarded
as saints. When his brother Leander died in 600, Isidore replaced him as
archbishop of Seville. For the following 35 years Isidore fought heresy,
built schools and libraries, called synods, and wrote an amazing amount.
Isidore may have been formally canonized in 1598, and was certainly
declared a doctor of the Church in 1722.
Plato (d. 814) Plato was born in c. 730 in Constantinople. He was the
co-founder and first abbot of Sakkudion in Bithynia (Asia Minor). Plato
was accounted one of the great reformers of his time, and was an active
defender of the use of holy images. In 794 Plato resigned his office and
lived the last years of his life as a recluse.
Benezet (d. 1184 or 1185) A folk saint. At the age of 12, Benezet came in
1177 to Avignon and declared that he had been ordered by God to build a
bridge over the Rhone. He founded the community of Bridge-builders, which
began construction. Before the bridge was completed, Benezet died. He was
buried in the bridge chapel (dedicated to St. Nicolas), and a strong cult
developed around his tomb that spread to the entire region.
Benedict of S. Philadelphio (d. 1589) Rather late for this list, but I'd
never heard of him and found him interesting. Benedict was the son of
Ethiopian slaves, born in Sicily in 1526. He was about 21 when he was
publicly insulted because of his color, and his patience so impressed the
leader of a group of Franciscan hermits that Benedict was invited to join
the group, becoming their leader in a few years. In 1564 the hermits were
absorbed into the Friars Minor of Observance, and Benedict became a lay
brother and cook. Despite his illiteracy and lay status, Benedict was
appointed superior of the convent in 1578, and successfully reformed the
community (afterwards returning to his position as cook). Benedict was
famed for his miracles and skills as a spiritual advisor, attracting crowds
of visitors. Benedict is now the patron of African-Americans in the United
States.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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