medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (17. January) is the feast day of:
Antony of Egypt (d. 356) Antony was a native of Upper Egypt, of wealthy
peasant stock. After going to church one day and hearing the lection: "Go,
sell all you have and give to the poor..." he gave up his possessions and
became a hermit. He is the best-known of the desert hermits, thanks
especially to Athanasius' vita, which presents a picture of a deeply
spiritual, demon-fighting, philosopher-refuting, heresy-combatting ideal
holy man. His life (at least Athanasius' version) had a deep impact on
both eastern and western monasticism; just today my freshman honors class
got to the section of Augustine's Confessions in which the Life of Antony
plays a seminal role in Gussie's own conversion.
Julian Sabas the Elder (d. 377) Julian was a hermit in Mesopotamia, living
in a cave by the Euphrates. His nickname "Sabas" means "old man" (I think
with connotations of wisdom) in Syriac. He eventually moved to Mt. Sinai,
where he was known for encouraging Christians during the reign of his
namesake Julian the Apostate. J was an effective opponent of Arianism,
too, leaving his solitude to visit Antioch and make his point with
preaching and miracles.
Sabinus of Piacenza (d. 420) Sabinus was bishop of Piacenza and a close
friend of Ambrose, whose writings he edited. He is supposed to have once
stopped the flooding of the River Po by means of a *written* order (!?)
Sulpicius (d. 647) Suplicius was the scion of a wealthy family of Francia.
He renounced marriage in his youth, and in time became bishop of Bourges.
He was noted for his care of the poor and ill, and also for defending his
people against lay oppression.
Roseline de Villeneuve (blessed) (d. 1329) Roseline was a noblewoman who
became a Carthusian nun and prioress of Celle-Roubaud (Provence). She was
famous for her visions and gift of reading hearts.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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