medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (22. February) (somewhat late because of thunderstorms) is the feast
day of:
the Chair of St. Peter. The anniversary of Peter's consecration as bishop
of Rome. This festival is already recorded in the calendar of Pope
Liberius (c. 354), and its celebration was widespread by the sixth century.
Aristion of Salamis (1st cent.) According to tradition, Aristion was one
of Jesus' original 72 disciples. He was active on Cyprus, and was martyred
there or in Alexandria.
Beradates (d. c. 460) Beradates was a Syrian hermit, whom Theodoret calls
"the admirable." He lived in a hut open to the weather and engaged in
severe ascetic exercises. B. was credited with great religious insight;
Emperor Leo I even wrote to consult him about the Council of Chalcedon. He
was even a good, obedient hermit---probably a great relief to bishops in
that age of rather wild-eyed ascetics: when his bishop ordered him to give
up the eremetical life, B. obeyed without question.
John the Old Saxon (d. 895) King Alfred brought John from Saxony to
England to help restore monastic life in his kingdom. John was made abbot
of Athelingay and was indeed an active reformer. He met the fate of many
zealous monastic reformers---he was murdered by two disgruntled members of
his flock.
Margaret of Cortona (d. 1297) Margaret was a native of Tuscany, born to a
small farming family. She spent nine years as the mistress of a knight,
but when he was murdered M gave up everything and returned with her son to
her father's home, seeking forgiveness. Dad refused, so Margaret asked the
Franciscan friars to help. They arranged for M and son to be taken in by
two ladies, and M went on to lead a life of dramatic public penance,
including self-mutilation and even child abuse of her son. In time she
became a Franciscan tertiary and got rather more balanced, caring for the
sick, attacking vice, and preaching repentance. M was canonized in 1728.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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