medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (25. December) is the feast of:
The Nativity. A happy Christmas to all!
Eugenia of Rome (d. c. 257) Eugenia was martyred in the reign of Valerian.
A later fiction applies to E. the common tale that she disguised herself
as a monk, became an abbot, and only had her sex discovered when she was
accused of fornicating with a woman.
Martyrs of Nicomedia (d. 303) An extravagant legend tells that on this day
in 303 20,000 Christians were burned alive in the great basilica of
Nicomedia as they were celebrating Christmas, at the emperor's order. Not
only did Christians not yet have "great basilicas" at this time---in the
eastern church Christmas wasn't celebrated on this date in the fourth
century. But it makes a good story.
Anastasia (d. c. 304) Legend tells that Anastasia was martyred at Sirmium
(Srem Mitrovica, Serbia). Her relics were taken to Constantinople, and in
the west her cult developed in Rome, where a basilica by the forum was
dedicated to her.
Alburga (d. c. 810) Alburga was a half-sister of King Egbert of Wessex.
She founded the convent of Wilton, where she herself became a nun after she
was widowed.
Matthew of Albano (d. 1134) Matthew was a canon of Rheims before becoming
a Cluniac monk and prior. In 1125 he became cardinal bishop of Albano. In
that capacity he was papal legate in France and Germany. M. was a strong
supporter of Cluniac monasticism and a good friend of Peter the Venerable.
Jacopone da Todi (blessed) (d. 1306) Jacopone was a prosperous lawyer, but
after his wife died in 1268 he converted to the religious life, in time
becoming a Franciscan. He is most famous for his "laudi." J. joined the
Spiritual faction of the Franciscans and had the temerity to write against
Boniface VIII (not the nicest of popes) on the subject, which got him
imprisoend and excommunicated. J. has a popular cult at Todi, which has
not been formally confirmed.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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