medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (27. July) is the feast day of:
Pantaleon (Panteleimon) (d. c. 305) Degraded to local calendar status in
1969, despite the gorgeous church dedicated to him in Cologne (where
Empress Theophanu is buried, by the way). Pantaleon's name means
"all-compassionate," which may account for the legend that he was a doctor
who helped everyone without charging for his services. He is supposed to
have been martyred at Nicomedia.
Seven Sleepers of Ephesus (d. c. 362?) A legend common to both
Christianity and Islam (it rates a significant discussion in the Qur'an),
although the cult has now been suppressed in Christianity. According to
legend, seven young men of Ephesus took refuge in a cave during the Decian
persecution. They were found there 112 years later, having slept through
the whole era of persecution.
Anthusa of Constantinople (8th cent.) Anthusa was a hermit who then became
abbess of a convent near Constantinople. She openly defied Constantine V's
edicts against icons. She was arrested and tortured, but the empress
intervened to save her life.
George, Aurelius, Natalia, Felix, and Liliosa (d. c. 852) George was a
monk of Mar Saba in the Holy Land. He went to Spain at a very
poorly-chosen time to collect money for his monastery. The emir,
Abd-er-Rahman II, had already been thoroughly outraged by the wave of
Christians courting martyrdom at Cordoba by openly insulting Islam, and
George soon found himself arrested and charged with doing the same. Two
married couples were arrested at the same time. All were executed; the
emir offered George his freedom, since he wasn't a subject, but he chose to
be executed with the others.
Berthold of Garsten (d. 1142) (blessed) Berthold was a noble from the area
near Constance (Germany). After he was widowed, he became a monk and
eventually first abbot of Garsten in Styria, succeeding in making the new
foundation both famous and rich. B. is especially noted for spending most
of his time hearing confessions.
Lucia Bufalari (blessed) (d. 1350) Lucia was a native of Castel Ponziano
near Rome, and a sister of Blessed Giovanni Bufalari. She became an
Augustinian nun and in time prioress. She is invoked these days in cases
of demonic possession.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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