medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (9. February) is the feast day of:
Apollonia (d. c. 249) How wonderful! Finally a virgin martyr who wasn't
young and beautiful! Apollonia was a deaconess of the church of Alexandria
and an old woman. During a riot she was seized by the mob. All her teeth
were broken out when she refused to say what they wanted; then the rioters
built up a bonfire and threatened to throw her on unless A renounced
Christianity. But she spoiled their sport by jumping on the fire herself.
Later legend DID make her a beautiful girl, her teeth taken out with
pincers---and even made her a king's daughter, tortured by her own father.
Nicephorus of Antioch (d. 260) Nicephorus was martyred in Antioch under
Valerian. According to his legend, his passio started when he quarreled
with his old friend, the priest Sapricius. Sapricius was the sort to hold
a grudge, and refused all of N's efforts to beg forgiveness, even after S
was arrested as a Christian and sentenced to death. All the way to
execution, N kept begging S to forgive him. S. refused---and at the last
minute apostasized to save his life. N was so affected by this that he
proclaimed his own faith and demanded to be martyred instead.
Teilo (6th cent.) Teilo was an important Welsh monk and bishop who was
active mostly in Dyfed. His 12th-century vita tells that after his death,
Teilo miraculously multiplied his relics so there were three sets, thus
ending a fight over who should possess them.
Alvarez of Cordoba (blessed) (d. c. 1430) Alvarez was a monk or a friar
(my one source that mentions him doesn't say which) who lived a very active
life serving as spiritual advisor to the queen of Castile, preaching
crusade, advocating war against the Moors of Spain, etc. He was also a
very active builder of chuches and convents---with the frequent help of
angels, who tended to shift building supplies during the night so they
would be convenient to the workers.
John Hooper (d. 1555) John Hooper was bishop of Gloucester and one of the
earliest Protestant martyrs in the reign of Mary I of England.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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