medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (11. July) is the feast day of:
Benedict (d. c. 550) Actually the feast of his translation, rather than
his dies natalis; the main feast was moved to this day in 1969, so it
wouldn't fall during Lent. Benedict of Nursia is the father of western
monasticism, and was named "patron of Europe" by Paul VI. The only sources
for B of N's life is Book II of Gregory's Dialogues, and of course
Benedict's Rule (despite the problem of its derivative nature). He was
born in Nursia and studied Rome, but left soon to become a hermit at
Subiaco. Gradually disciples joined B, and he formed them into twelve
(probably semi-eremitical) communities. However, B ran into problems
(including an attempted murder) and went on to form the monastery of Monte
Cassino near Naples, the "mother house" of Benedictine monasticism
(acknowledging that Benedictine monks aren't an order, so this is probably
the wrong thing to call it). The innate reasonableness of Ben's Rule led,
over a period of several centuries, to it becoming the dominant monastic
rule of western Europe. The cult of Benedict spread from the seventh
century, when Fleury claimed to possess his relics (a claim *still* denied
by Monte Cassino).
Drostan (early 7th cent.) Drostan was founder and abbot of the monastery
of Deer (Aberdeenshire, Scotland), which became an important center for the
spread of Christianity in the area of the Moray Firth.
Olga of Kiev (d. 969) After Prince Igor of Kiev was assassinated, his
widow Olga became the ruler of Kiev. She took revenge on Igor's murderers
and ruled firmly. In c. 957 Olga converted to Christianity. She made
vigorous attempts to convert her subjects, but was largely unsuccessful
(and also failed to convert her son, Svyatoslav). Olga's cult in Russia
usually presents her as a precursor of her grandson, St. Vladimir.
Thurketyl (late 10th cent.) Thurketyl, an Anglified Dane related to
Archbishop Oscetel of York, was a monk and abbot. He first appears as
abbot of Bedford, was expelled from there and joined the confraternity of
St. Paul's in London. From that position, T. refounded Croyland Abbey, and
became abbot there.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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