medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (23. November) (or yesterday, to be honest; my server was down all
day Saturday) is the feast day of:
Clement (d. c. 100) Clement was bishop of Rome (either 3rd or 4th,
depending on whether you count Peter as #1). He is mostly known today for
the letter he wrote to the Christian community in Corinth in c. 96, which
gives a very early look at church discipline and gives evidence of Peter's
and Paul's martyrdom in Rome. In the Middle Ages Clement was known
primarily as an early martyr. According to his 4th-century Acta, C. was
exiled to the Crimea to labor in the mines, where his miracles and
preaching won so many converts that 75 new churches had to be built. Then
he was thrown into the sea with an anchor tied around his neck. Best of
all, angels made him a tomb on the seabed---uncovered once a year at low
tide. In the ninth century, Cyril and Methodius claimed to recover
Clement's body, along with the anchor; the relics were removed to Rome in
c. 858 and placed in the church of san Clemente (apparently originally
dedicated to a different Clement).
Felicity of Rome (d. 165) According to legend, Felicity was a wealthy
widow with seven sons. She lived a virtuous life, including so many
charitable acts that the pagan priests complained about her to the
authorities. So she was arrested and not only continued to acknowledge her
faith but urged her sons to do the same. So all were executed. The legend
may simply be a Christianizing of the tale of the Maccabees, the "7
Brothers" who are commemorated on 10. July and connected to the Felicity
legend were probably unrelated early martyrs who happened to be buried
together. But it makes a nice story.
Sisinius of Cyzicus (d. after 325) In the Great Persecution, Sisinius was
a confessor---he publicly avowed his faith, was arrested, and was dragged
by wild horses---but survived the experience. He attended the Council of
Nicaea.
Amphilochius of Iconium (d. after 392) Amphilochius was a fellow-student
of St. Basil, became a lawyer in Constantinople, but then became a hermit.
Basil appointed A. to the see of Iconium to help fight the Arians in
Cappadocia, which he did with great energy.
Columbanus (d. 615) Columbanus was born in Leinster. He became a monk
(walking over his mother's body to do so). After many years at Bangor, C.
and twelve companions went to the kingdom of the Franks in c. 590. There
he founded the monastery of Annegray and Luxeuil, with the king's strong
support. But he ran into problems with the next king (and the king's
grandmother Brunhild) and was deported---although he eluded the guards
taking him back to Ireland and went instead first to the other Frankish
kingdoms, then to Lake Constance, and finally to Italy, where he founded
Bobbio.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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