medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (14. April) is the feast day of:
Ardalion the Actor (d. c. 300) Legend reports that Ardalion was acting in
a parody of the Christian faiths when he was suddenly convinced of their
truth. He shouted his new belief to the audience---which didn't appreciate
the end of their amusement. They insisted on his immediate execution and
roasted him alive in a public square.
Bernard of Tiron (d. 1117) Bernard was a monk, then a hermit in the forest
of Craon and a wandering preacher. He founded a Benedictine monastery in
the forest of Tiron, which became the head of a large reforming
congregation.
Caradoc (d. 1124) Caradoc was a Welshman who became harper at the court of
Rhys ap Tewdwr. But C lost the prince's greyhounds and apparently saw no
future for himself after that but to become a monk. After a few years he
became a hermit. C. was never formally canonized, although Gerald of Wales
tried to get a process started.
Benezet of Avignon (d. 1184) The Savoyard Benezet was a shepherd. He came
to Avignon in c. 1178, whereupon a vision told him to build a bridge over
the Rhone River. The bishop was skeptical, but B. won over some laymen to
help him. The bridge was finished a few years after B's death, with a
chapel on it that contained B's body. When part of the bridge was washed
away in 1669, B's incorrupt body was recovered. From 1189 on, the town of
Avignon and a religious guild of bridge builders claimed B. as their
patron.
Peter Gonzalez (d. 1246) Peter was a wealthy Spaniard, given a canonry
while still a youth and all set for a luxurious life of high ecclesiastical
office. But on his way to his installation, P's horse dumped him off onto
a dung heap. The humiliated P. was never installed, but instead went and
joined the Order of Preachers. He became a very active preacher, both of
morals and in favor of the crusade against the Moors. He is best known,
though, for his preaching in the seaports of Galicia, which led to him
becoming a patron saint of sailors. In popular religion he is called Elmo;
if I understood correctly, he was never actually called Elmo, but his
devotees called him that after an earlier patron saint of sailors, who had
given his name to St. Elmo's Fire.
Antony, Eustace, and John (aka Kukly, Nizilon, and Milhey) (d. 1342) These
three were Lithuanian nobles. The brothers John and Antony were converted
by a missionary. When they refused to eat meat on a fast day, they were
hanged at Vilna. Eustace was so impressed by their behavior that he
converted too, and was martyred soon after.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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