medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (23. July) is the feast day of:
Apollinaris of Ravenna (1st cent.?) Despite inspiring two of the greatest
churches of late antiquity, Apollinaris was confined to local calendars in
the great calendar purge of 1969. He was the first bishop of Ravenna, and
according to legend died of torture. His seventh-century (fictional) acta
describe him as a disciple of St. Peter.
Phocas the Gardener (d. c. 303) Phocas was a small-scale farmer near
Sinope (Black Sea coast); he was martyred in Diocletian's reign. His cult
was established early, and he is sitll popular in the East.
Liborius (d. 390) Liborius served a long time as bishop of Le Mans, from
348 until his death. His relics were transferred to Paderborn in 836,
where he is the patron saint. His cult was confined to local observance in
1969.
John Cassian (d. c. 433) John was a Scythian who became a monk at
Jerusalem. But then he and a friend went to Egypt, doing the round of
monasteries while he gathered materials for his *Conferences* and
*Institutes*. John also founded two monasteries at Marseilles.
Martyrs of Bulgaria (9th cent.) The Bulgars made a great incursion into
Byzantine territory under Khan Krum (r. 804 on). During the campaign, he
singled out for slaughter Byzantine civilians, apparently killing them
because they were Christians. They are reckoned as martyrs.
Anne of Constantinople (d. 918) Anne was a native of Constantinople who
inherited a very large fortune when a teenager. Everybody pestered so much
wanting to marry her that she spent all her money to help the poor and
became a hermit near Ephesus for the next fifty years.
Birgitta of Sweden (d. 1373) Birgitta was a noblewoman, married
(apparently happily!) for 28 years, during which time she bore eight
children. After her husband died she set out on a new career as a
visionary and penitent. B. founded the mother house of the Brigettine
order at Vadstena in 1344. She moved to Rome in 1350, and died there.
She was declared a patron of Europe in 2000 (although I confess I'm not
sure why).
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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