medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
The origins of the popularity of the cult of St. James of Campostella might be quite complex. If I remember correctly, Henry Chadwick in Priscillian of Avila suggests that there is some evidence that the shrine at Compostella was built over Priscillian's tomb. Despite the fact that he was executed for heresy and magic (the first in the history of Christianity - a dubious honour), Priscillianism lingered on in Spain, esp. Galicia, to the extent that two centuries later the 1st Council of Braga felt obliged to condemn his teachings. For what it's worth, an 11th c. Spanish penitential also brings up Priscillian doctrines without, however, mentioning his name.
Incidentally, does any learned list-member know why St. Christopher's Vita describes him as "dogheaded"?
Bernadette Filotas
>
> Today (25. July) is the feast day of:
>
> James the Greater (d. 44) James was the son of Zebedee and brother of
> John, and definitely a Very Important Apostle. He was also the first
> apostle to be martyred, by King Herod Agrippa. In the seventh century the
> story developed that James had evangelized in Spain; in the ninth century
> the story began to circulate that he was buried there. If I remember
> correctly, after being beheaded in Palestine, James is supposed to have
> picked up his head, walked to the seashore, and gotten aboard a boat (made
> of stone, I believe), which carried his corpse to Compostella, where it was
> later discovered.
>
> Christopher (3rd cent.?) Nothing historical is known of Christopher except
> the fact of his martyrdom in Asia Minor. His name (Christ-bearer),
> however, became the basis for a very rich legend. Christopher, says
> legend, was a Canaanite giant who decided to serve Christ. A hermit told
> him to live near a river and help travelers across it. One day a child
> came and asked for assistance, but as Christopher carried him he became
> heavier and heavier. The kid then revealed that he was Christ, and that
> Christopher had just carried the weight of the whole world. Our friendly
> giant then went on to preach Christianity, but arrested, perhaps in the
> Decian persecution. Two women were sent to seduce him in prison, but he
> converted them instead. Chris was then beaten with iron rods, shot at, and
> finally beheaded. In 1969 Chris' feast was reduced to local cult status,
> provoking a sharp reaction (and I recall that over a decade later the
> Vatican gift shop stll sold St. Christopher medals).
>
> Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
> [log in to unmask]
>
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