medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (13. October) is the feast day of:
Theophilus the Apologist (d. 181) Theophilus was a philosopher who read
the Christian scriptures preparatory to righting a refutation of
Christianity. Instead he was converted. He became bishop of Antioch. His
Apology for Christianity is still extant, a work especially important in
developing the idea of the logos in Christian theology.
Simbert (d. c. 908) Simbert was a monk of Murbach (Alsace) and in time
became abbot there. Charlemagne appointed S. bishop of Augsburg in 778,
and S. spent the rest of his life working to improve ecclesiastical
conditions. He was canonized in 1468.
Gerald of Aurillac (d. 909) Gerald was count of Aurillac. He was
presented by Odo of Cluny as a model of lay sanctity: although he remained
in the world, he didn't marry, and led a strangely hybrid life as a
semi-monk. He founded a monastery on his estate at Aurillac.
Colman of Stockerau (d. 1012) Colman was from Ireland or Scotland. He was
an early pilgrim along the overland route to the Holy Land. But the people
of what is now Austria weren't used to many pilgrims, apparently. Because
he couldn't speak German, C was arrested as a spy, tortured, and then
hanged near Vienna. But his body (conveniently hanged between two thieves)
didn't decompose: clearly he was a saint. Miracles soon ensued. C.'s body
is still at the monastery of Melk, and he is one of the patron saints of
Austria.
Edward the Confessor (d. 1066) Edward was a son of Emma and King Aethelred
"the Unready" of England. After Cnut took over England, Edward grew up in
exile in Normandy, but was recalled to become king in 1042. There is
considerable disagreement about his reign: he was a feckless ruler who let
the Godwin family trample all over him, or he did the best he could under
the circumstances. He may have taken a vow of chastity---or maybe he just
couldn't stand the wife foisted on him, a daughter of Earl Godwin. His
cult was sponsored by the Norman rulers of England---as the legitimate,
"good" king who tried to pass the throne peacefully on to William the
Conqueror. Ed. was canonized in 1161, and despite the Protestant
Reformation, his relics are still in his tomb in Westminster Abbey.
Edward's cult was confined to "particular calendars" in 1969.
Maurice of Carnoet (d. 1191) The Breton Maurice became a Cistercian at
Langonel and in 1177 went on to found the monastery of Carnoet. He also
served as an advisor to the dukes of Brittany.
Chelidonia (d. 1152) Chelidonia was a native of the Abruzzi. At a young
age she became a hermit in a cave near Tivoli. She officially became a nun
at the nearby Subiaco, but remained as a hermit.
Eustochium Bellini of Padua (blessed) (d. 1469) Eustochium was the
daughter of a nun, and became a nun herself. She suffered from violent
spells of hysteria and was suspected both of witchcraft and being possessed
by a demon---besides being starved and otherwise ill-treated, she was
nearly burned as a witch. In her sane periods, she bore her treatment
patiently and humbly. She gained the respect of her community before her
death at age 25, though, and on her death the nuns discovered that E. had
burned the name of Jesus into her breasts.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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