medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (12. March) is the feast day of:
Maximilian (d. 295) We have an early and good source for the martyrdom of
Maximilian. He was the son of a Roman soldier, so by law had to enter the
army. But when brought to the recruiter, M. stated that he could not serve
bcause he was a Christian. After a long argument, including, on the
proconsul's part, the argument that lots of Christians were serving in the
army without complaint, M. still refused. So he was executed.
Peter of Nicomedia (d. 303). Legend reports that Peter was Diocletian's
valet, and one of the first victims of the Great Persecution. If the
details are true, they suggest that Diocletian was awfully angry at the
man's disloyalty: Peter first hd his flesh ripped off with metal hooks;
then salt and vinegar were poured into the wounds, and finally he was
roasted over a slow fire.
Paul Aurelian (6th cent.) Paul, better known as Saint Pol, came from Wales
to Brittany, where he worked as a bishop. His tenth-century hagiographer
tells that Paul was a hermit who left his native land in peregrinatio,
became a bishop, and worked for many years until he died at the age of 104.
Simeon the New Theologian (d. 1022) Simeon was born in Paphlagonia and
raised in Constantinople. He became a monk at Studion, but later
transferred to St. Mamas (where he became abbot) in search of a more
austere life. Simeon's work is regarded as the high point of Byzantine
mysticism.
Fina (Seaphina) of San Gimignano (d. 1253) Fina was born in 1238. She
contracted a fatal illness at the age of 10, and spent the rest of her life
desperately repenting her sins (apparently the worst of them was that she
had once accepted an orange from a boy). Before her death she was credited
with a great many miracles, and at the moment of her death all the bells in
town started ringing, flowers bloomed on the plank on which she lay, etc.
She is still a popular saint.
Dionysius the Carthusian (d. 1471) Not formally canonized, but he's made
his way into several martyrologies. Dionysius was a native of Flanders.
He got a doctorate at the University of Cologne, then became a Carthusian.
He was famous for his mystical writings, which won him the title "Doctor
Ecstaticus."
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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