medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (14. June) is the feast day of:
Marcian of Syracuse (1st cent.?) According to what is most likely pure
legend, St. Peter sent Marcian to Sicily as "first bishop of the West." It
is more probable that Marcian was a bishop of Syracuse in the third century
and was martyred in 255 by being thrown from a tower, but that doesn't make
as good (or prestigious) a story.
Valerius of Soissons (d. c. 300) According to tradition, Valerius and his
companion Rufinus were tortured and then martyred near Soissons in the
Great Persecution.
Lothar of Sees (d. 756) Lothar was born in c. 685. He married, but when
his wife died he became a monk at a monastery he had founded near Argentan
(France). This later was called St-Loyer-des-Champs after him. In c. 720
Lothar was elected bishop of Sees (Normandy). After 32 years in office he
abdicated and returned to his monastery.
Methodius of Constantinople (d. 847) Methodius was born in c. 790 in
Syracuse (Sicily, not NY) and became a monk in Constantinople at a young
age. During the iconoclast persecution he fled to Rome and was active
their in defense of holy images. When Methodius returned to Constantinople
he was arrested and spent several years in prison; after his release he was
elected patriarch of Constantinople in 843.
Richard of St. Vanne (blessed) (d. 1046) Richard was a leading figure in
the eleventh-century monastic reform. He was born in France in c. 980. He
became a Benedictine monk, and at the wish of Odilo of Cluny and Emperor
Henry II became abbot of St-Vanne in Verdun. Soon Richard had gathered
over twenty monasteries in Belgium and France under his authority for
reform.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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