medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (3. November) is the feast day of:
The "Innumerable Martyrs of Saragossa" (d. c. 304) According to the Roman
Martyrology, an "innumerable multitude" of Christians was martyred in
Saragossa during Diocletian's persecution. The city prefect, Dacian,
published an edict banishing all the Christians from his city; as they were
leaving he had his soldiers slaughter them.
Sylvia of Rome (d. c. 572) The mother of Gregory the Great.
Clydog (Clitaucus) (6th cent.?) Clydog was a British king who ruled in
Ewyas (the area of Hereford and Monmouth). His legend, recorded about six
centuries later, tells that one of the king's jealous comrades killed C.
because they were both in love with the same woman. He is regarded as a
martyr, but some modern scholars think that is a mistranslation of "Merthir
Clitauc" (the place C was buried) as "martyrium" of C when the word
"merthir" simply meant "shrine."
Winefride (Gwenfrewi) (7th cent.) This Welsh virgin enjoyed a widespread
cult for many centuries and, thanks to the works of Ellis Peters, is
well-known to modern mystery fans. According to her twelfth-century
legend, W. was a niece of St. Beuno. A local prince tried to seduce her
and, when she fled, beheaded her. A fountain sprang up where her head
touched the ground, known for its healing qualities. Beuno raised W. from
the dead and for many years she was an abbess at Holywell (or
perhapsGwytherin; accounts vary). The pilgrimage and cures at Holywell
survived the Reformation and still continue today.
Pirmin (d. 753) Pirmin was probably a Spaniard who took refuge across the
Pyrenees from the Moors. In 711 Pirmin rebuilt the monastery of Dissentis
(Switzerland), and in 724 founded the monastery of Reichenau. He is also
responsible for founding Murbach and Amorbach in Alsace, where he was
exiled for political reasons.
Malachy (Maol Maedoc) (d. 1148) One of the few canonized Irish saints,
Malachy was the great pioneer of the Gregorian reform in Ireland. He
restored the monastery of Bangor, and became in turn bishop of Connor and
archbishop of Armagh. M's greatest impact on Irish religion is probably
his sponsorship of the Augustinian canons and introduction of the
Cistercian order to the island.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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