medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (22. September) is the feast day of:
Maurice and companions (the Theban Legion) (d. c. 287) According to
legend, Emperor Maximinian marched against Gaulish rebels with an army that
included the Theban Legion, recruited in Egypt and entirely Christian. At
Martigny, M. ordered the entire army to join in a sacrifice to the gods for
military success; the Theban Legion, led by Maurice (Mauritius), refused.
The legion was first decimated, then on continuing refusal to sacrifice
everybody was killed---supposedly 6,600 (or 6,666) men. Modern
hagiologists have detected a historical core to the story, but with
enormously exaggerated numbers.
Landelin (d. early 7th cent.) According to legend, Landelin was a son of a
Scottish king. He went to Germany and became a hermit. But the local
count mistook L. for a sorcerer and set his hunstmen on the hermit,
beheading him.
Emmeram (d. 660) Emmeram was a monk who became a missionary in Bavaria.
He gave his name to the great monastery of St. Emmeram's, Regensburg.
Emmeram met a rather grotesque "martyrdom." Duke Theodo of Bavaria accused
the saint of kidnapping and seducing his daughter. According to legend,
Emmeram set out for Rome to vindicate himself, but the duke's son caught up
with him and killed him, either running E. through with a lance or tying
him to a ladder and chopping off his arms and legs.
Otto of Freising (d. 1158) Otto was the son of the margrave of Austria and
Agnes, duaghter of Emperor Henry IV---thus the uncle of Emperor Frederick
I. Otto became a Cistercian monk, and in the year 1138 became both abbot
of Morimond and bishop of Freising. He reformed his diocese, among other
actions founding an important cathedral school. Otto also took part in the
Second Crusade. he is best known today as the author of an important
chronicle and a Life of Frederick Barbarossa.
Thomas of Villanova (d. 1555) Thomas was the son of a miller who made good
through education. After studying arts and theology at Alcala University,
he became an Augustinian friar, then priest, then prior, then preacher at
Emperor Charles V's court, and finally bishop of Valencia. He was a very
active reformer, showing moderation in correcting clerical morals and
practices and in dealing with superficially converted Moors (even founding
a college for the children of recent converts).
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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