medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
I've always been curious about the term "protomartyr."
Why is Stephen not just a martyr (witness to the
faith)? What exactly is a protomartyr? It seems to
mean "quasi-martyr" or "almost-martyr." When was the
term "martyr" first used and by whom? Thanks in
advance.
MG
--- Phyllis Jestice <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval
> religion and culture
>
> Today (26. December) is the feast day of:
>
> Stephen (d. c. 35) Protomartyr. Stephen's life is
> recounted in Acts chs.
> 6-7. He was one of the first seven deacons
> appointed by the apostles,
> probably a hellenized Jew. He gave an impassioned
> public address on the
> truth of Christianity, whereupon he was stoned for
> blasphemy by the
> bystanders. Stephen's purported tomb was discovered
> at Kafr Gamala in 415,
> which encouraged the spread of his cult.
>
> Dionysius (d. 269) The Greek Dionysius was elected
> bishop of Rome in 259;
> he is the first pope not listed as a martyr. D. was
> notable for bringing
> order to his church after the persecutions of Decius
> and Valerian. He
> condemned Paul of Samosata as a heretic, opposed
> Sabellianism, and sent
> large sums of money to Cappadocia after the region
> was ravaged by Goths.
>
> Tathai (5th-6th cent.) The Irish Tathai became a
> hermit in Wales, where he
> founded the monastery of Llantathlan. According to
> legend, he was a great
> miracle-worker.
>
> Paganus of Lecco (blessed) (d. 1274) A Dominican
> for fifty years, Paganus
> succeeded Peter Martyr as inquisitor general. Like
> the more famous Peter,
> Paganus was murdered by heretics.
>
>
> Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
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