medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (9. November) is the feast day of:
Ursinus of Bourges (3rd cent.) Ursinus was the first bishop of Bourges.
Medieval longing for apostolic connections created the legend that Ursinus'
other name was Nathaniel, that he was a friend of the apostle Philip, that
he was present at the last supper (where he read) and at the martyrdom of
Stephen, and was sent to Gaul by Peter.
Theodore (4th cent.) Theodore was one of the most famous soldier martyrs
of the East. He is said to have refused to worship the state gods along
with his fellow recruits and to have set fire to a temple. The legend
includes a long list of tortures he suffered during his martyrdom. A
panegyric attributed to Gregory of Nyssa stresses T's great qualities as
miracle worker.
Benen (Benignus) of Ireland (d. c. 468) According to legend, Benen was
baptized by St. Patrick while still a child. After that, Benen became
Patrick's companion and in time right hand man and successor as bishop of
Armagh. He is credited with evangelizing Clare, Kerry, and Connacht.
Ilona of Hungary (d. c. 1270) Never formally beatified, but venerated by
the Dominican order and in Hungary. Ilona was novice mistress of the
Dominican convent of Vesprim, where she trained the future St. Margaret of
Hungary. I. was noted for her contemplative prayer and ecstasies, which
led in time to her becoming the first Dominican marked with the stigmata.
Accounts of her stigmata make eerie reading: first her right hand, later
her left, and wounds in her side and feet when on her deathbed. Out of all
of which shone a miraculous light.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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