medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (31. March) is the feast day of:
Amos (8th cent. BCE) Amos was a shepherd near Bethlehem who became one of
the minor prophets. According to the Roman martyrology, he was killed by
having an iron bar knocked through his head.
Acacius Agathangelos (d. c. 251) Acacius was bishop of Phrygian Antioch.
His flock gave him the nickname "agathangelos" (good angel) because of all
his good works. He was such a good influence that according to legend not
a single Christian in his diocese denied his or her faith during the Decian
persecution. Acacius himself was arrested, and according to what may be
authentic acta engaged in a long and surprisingly benign discussion of
faith with the Roman governor. At the end of it, the governor sent the
transcript to Decius; Decius was impressed, too---he promoted the governor
to a higher position, and pardoned Acacius (which seems like an awfully
nice twist on the usual early Christian story). The reported conversation
is quite charming; it can be found in English at
http://users.erols.com/saintpat/ss/0331.htm
Benjamin the Deacon (d. c. 421) Benjamin was caught in the second wave of
anti-Christian persecution in Persia. When Yezdigerd became king, he ended
Shapur II's persecution, and there were twelve years of peace. But an
overly zealous bishop then burned down an important fire temple and refused
to rebuild it, so the bishop was executed and anti-Christian persecution
started up again and continued for 40 years. Benjamin, a deacon, was
flogged and imprisoned for a year for preaching Christianity during this
time. He was released at the request of the eastern Roman emperor. . . but
then started preaching again. Arrested a second time, he was tortured and
then impaled.
Guido of Pomposa (d. 1046) Guido was the son of a prosperous family near
Ravenna. He got tired of his luxurious life, though, and ran off to become
a hermit. After three years of independent study with a hermit, G. entered
the monastery of Pomposa. He became abbot in time, serving for 40 years
during which he doubled the size of the community. He had such a
reputation for holiness that Emperor Henry III sent for him for advice.
But G. fell ill and died near Parma. Parma and Pomposa fought over who
would gt G's remains, so the emperor settled their quarrel by taking them
himself and depositing them in Speyer, where Guido became the patron saint.
Jeanne of Toulouse (blessed) (d. 1286) Let me try another Carmelite. . . .
Jeanne was the founder of the Carmelite third order, after being
introduced to the Carmelites by St. Simon Stock. She spent her time and
money training boys to become Carmelites.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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