medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (11. December) is the feast day of:
Damasus (d. 384) Damasus was of Spanish blood, born in Rome where his
father was a priest. Damasus became a deacon and then pope in 366 in a
contested election that led to violence; it was only resolved with imperial
intervention. Damasus was a vigorous fighter against heresy, commissioned
Jerome to produce a definitive Latin translation of the Bible, overhauled
the papal archives, and cared for the cults of Roman martyrs.
Daniel the Stylite (d. 493) Daniel was born at Maratha (Mesopotamia), left
home at the age of twelve, and became a monk. Some years later, he visited
Antioch, where he was so impressed by Simeon Stylites that he decided to
emulate him. First, though, he spent nine years as a hermit near
Constantinople, apparently spending most of his time fighting demons. When
Simeon died in 459, Daniel inherited his cloak and his pillar-sitting
lifestyle. He set himself up on a pillar overlooking the Bosphorus; after
nearly freezing to death, the emperor built him an improved
pillar---actually two pillars fastened together with a shelter on top.
Daniel spent the rest of his life on his pillar, and was even ordained up
there by the patriarch, who had to climb a ladder for the laying on of
hands.
Tassilo III (d. before 797) Tassilo, as duke of Bavaria, was a strong
promoter of Christianity and founded several monasteries. Deposed by
Charlemagne in 763, T. was imprisoned the rest of his life, from 794 on at
the monastery of Lorsch in Hesse.
Wilburgis (d. 1289) W. was orphaned at a young age and had a sickly and
painful childhood. At the age of seventeen she went on pilgrimage to
Santiago de Compostella. On her return in 1248 she became a recluse
attached to the church of St. Florian (Austria) where she remained for the
rest of her life as an important spiritual advisor.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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