medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (18. August) is the feast day of:
Agapitus (?) Agapitus was a fifteen-year-old, martyred in Praeneste. His
cult is attested in both Rome and Praeneste from early times.
Helena (d. 330) Helena was perhaps an innkeeper's daughter, born in
Bithynia. In c. 270 she married the Roman general Constantius Chlorus, who
ditched her when he became emperor in 292. But her son Constantine honored
Helena highly. She became a Christian in c. 312 (current research suggests
that it was after Constantine's conversion), and became very devout. She
seems to have used a lot of imperial resources to make donations to the
poor and to churches. Helena is most famous for her pilgrimage to the Holy
Land, where she discovered (or at least embellished) a series of items and
places known from the biography of Jesus, most notably her discovery of the
True Cross. The Atlantic island of St. Helena (of Napoleonic fame) got its
name because it was discovered on this day.
Alypius of Tagaste (d. c. 430) Alypius was a close friend of Augustine of
Hippo. He followed Gussie into Manichaeism, was forbidden by his father to
associate with Gus for a few years, but then rejoined him in Milan. The
two were baptized on the same day in 387, and together they went back to
North Africa to live a monastic life. Alypius became bishop of Tagaste in
c. 393, and remained Augustine's closest ally for the rest of his life.
Raynald of Ravenna (blessed) (d. 1321) Raynald was a native of Milan. He
became a canon of Lodi, then in 1296 bishop of Vicenza, and in 1303
archbishp of Ravenna. Raynald is perhaps best remembered for his staunch
defence of the Knights Templars.
Aimo of Taparelli (blessed) (d. 1495) Aimo, a native of the Piedmont of
noble birth, became a Dominican. He spent years as a preacher, then was
made confessor to the duke of Savoy. Disliking this task, he asked to be
reassigned an at the age of 71 was made inquisitor general of the Piedmont,
replacing an incumbent who had just been murdered. Aimo enjoyed much
better success, winning over large numbers of heretics and finally dying
aged 100.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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