medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (25. February) is the feast day of:
Anianus and companions (d. c. 298) Anianus was a Phoenician priest.
Thrown into prison as a Christian, A. proceeded to convert his jailer and
seven soldiers of the guard. All were executed together.
Ethelbert of Kent (d. 616) Ethelbert has the distinction of being the
first Christian king of the Anglo-Saxons. He married the Christian Frank
Bertha, but her role in the conversion of Kent is not clear. Apparently
more important was the arrival of Augustine and co. in 597, whom Ethelbert
received generously. E. was probably baptized in c. 601; his influence
brought much of Kent to the new religion.
Walburga (Walpurgis) (d. 779) Walburga was the sister of Sts. Winnibald
and Willibald and, with them, she went to Germany to help Boniface with his
mission. After two years working with St. Lioba, Walburga was made abbess
of the double monastery of Heidenheim. Walburga is most famous
posthumously: medicinal oil flowed from the rock around her tomb at
Eichstatt. "Walpurgisnacht," the festival famous for witches' sabbats, is
May 1, the feast of W's translation, and is just a coincidence of timing,
rather like Valentine's Day turning into a festival of lovers thanks to
pre-Christian practices.
Tarasius of Constantinople (d. 806) Tarasius was a pious layman, who
served as secretary of state to the underaged Emperor Constantine VI.
Dowager Empress Irene made Tarasius patriarch, and the two worked together
to restore the veneration of icons.
Gerland of Girgenti (d. 1104) Perhaps of relative of Robert Guiscard,
Gerland was made bishop of Girgenti (Sicily) by Urban II. He did much to
restore Christianity on the island after the Muslims were defeated.
Constantius of Fabriano (blessed) (d. 1481) Constantius was a child of
precocious piety, his prayers even curing his bedridden sister. He entered
the Order of Preachers at the age of fifteen, and went on to serve as prior
in both Florence and Perugia. He was noted for his penitential life and
prophetic visions, as well as for his miracles.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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