medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (8. January) is the feast day of:
Claudius Apollinaris (d. c. 180) Apollinaris was bishop of Hierapolis
(Phrygia) and a leading Christian teacher and apologist. His treatises
included arguments against several current heresies and also a defense of
Christianity that moved Emperor Marcus Aurelius to cease persecution. None
of his works are extant.
Nathalan (d. c. 678) Nathalan was from the Aberdeen district of Scotland.
Legend reports that he was a nobleman who turned to farming to be nearer
to God, and that he fed the people of the area during famine. His legend
includes another "fish story": he is supposed to have locked his hand and
leg together, thrown away the key, and found it inside a fish in the
marketplace of Rome (it must have been awfully awkward getting there).
Gudula (d. 712) Gudule was connected to the Carolingians through her
mother. She was educated by Gertrude of Nivelles, after which she lived as
a consecrated virgin in Brabant, with lots of prayer and almsgiving. G.'s
relics made it to Brussels in 978, and she became patron saint of the city.
The Calvinists scattered her relics in 1579---a nice case of posthumous
attacks on holy people.
Pega (d. c. 719) The sister of St. Guthlac. Pega was a recluse at Peakirk
(aka "Pega's church") in Northamptonshire. Guthlac left her his psalter
and scourge. She went to Rome, where she died.
Abo (d. 786) Abo was an Arab Muslim, born in Baghdad. He became perfumer
to a Georgian prince and while there became convinced of the truth of
Christianity. He was afraid to convert publicly, though (Georgia was under
Muslim rule), until he fled with his employer to refuge with the Khazars.
After some years they both returned to Tbilisi, where in time Abo was
accused of being a renegade from Islam. He declared his Christianity, and
was beheaded.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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