medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (1. May) is the feast day of:
Jeremiah (d. c. 590 BCE) One of the greater prophets, legend reports that
at the age of 55 Jeremiah was stoned to death by his fellow Jews in
captivity in Egypt (?). J's cult is mostly active in Venice, where some of
his relics are kept.
Joseph (1st cent.) This is one of the two feast days of Joseph; the other
is 19. March. The husband and foster-father of Jesus.
Sigismund of Burgundy (d. 523) An unlikely saint, and even more unlikely
martyr. Sigismund succeed his father as king of Burgundy in 516. In one
of those classic familial tangles, S's second wife accused S's son by his
first marriage of conspiring against dad; in a rage, S. ordered his son
strangled. And then he was sorry. In a fit of guilt, he retired to the
monastery of St-Maurice (which he founded), became generous to the poor,
etc. Some time afterwards, the Franks invaded Burgundy. They hunted down
Sigismund, dragged him off to Orleans, and had him executed.
Marcoul (d. c. 558) Marcoul was a native of Bayeux. He became a priest
and missionary in the neighborhood, but then went off to become a hermit.
In time, he and his disciples founded a monastery at Nanteuil. M. was
especially invoked for help with skin diseases; according to popular
belief, the French kings' "royal touch" to cure scrofula came through this
saint.
Brioc (6th cent.) A Celtic saint, most likely originating in Cardigan,
Brioc was active in Cornwall, Brittany, and Scotland. Thanks to his
legendary alms-giving, B. is the patron saint of purse-makers.
Asaph (d. early 7th cent.) The North Welsh Bishop Asaph is mostly known
through late vitae of St. Kentigern, whose disciple Asaph was. A. was of
course a model of obedience, including bringing live coals to his master
without burning himself. A. was mostly active in Flintshire, using Llanasa
as his center, but was chosen as bishop of Llanelwy (now known as St.
Asaph).
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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