medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (10. March) is the feast day of:
Kessog (6th cent.) The Irish Kessog was a scion of the royal family of
Munster. He went to Scotland, where he became a monk and a bishop in the
region of Loch Lomond. Legend reports that he was murdered by assassins.
Anastasia the Patrician (sixth century) Anastasia's existence is doubtful,
but her story is great. She is supposed to have been a noblewoman of
Constantinople. Emperor Justinian became besotted with her---which made
Empress Theodora jealous (a dangerous woman to cross). So Anastasia fled,
and joined a convent near Alexandria. When Theodora died, Justinian sent
men out to search for A. But A. disguised herself and lived as a man for
28 years in a Scythian monastery.
Attalas of Bobbio (d. 627) Attalas was a Burgundian. He became a monk at
Lerins, but went with Columbanus to Luxeuil, and from there to Bobbio when
Columbanus was exiled from Francia. A. succeeded Columbanus as abbot of
Bobbio in 615. He was a noted miracle worker, besides continuing
Columbanus' policies. A. was buried in the same tomb as Columbanus.
John of Vallombrosa (blessed) (d. c. 1380) The monk John read too much,
and got a taste for forbidden literature, including necromancy. This was
discovered, and John was imprisoned, whereupon he turned to a life of
repentance. When released, he refused to leave his cell and stayed there
as a penitential recluse for the rest of his long life.
Peter de Geremia (blessed) (d. 1452) Peter was a brilliant student at the
University of Bologna and all set for a successful career as a lawyer. But
then one night he was visited by the spirit of a recently dead relative---a
lawyer---who told of how he had been damned for the sin of pride (shades of
A Christmas Carol!). Peter changed his mind about the law business, and
entered the Order of Preachers. He became one of the greatest preachers of
Sicily. Among his many miracles, Peter's prayer is believed to have saved
Catania from an eruption of Mt. Etna.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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