medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (5. January) is the feast day of:
Telesphorus (d. c. 137) Telesphorus was a Calabrian Greek, who served as
bishop of Rome for ten years. Tradition says he was martyred in Hadrian's
reign. He was demoted from the ranks of the saints in 1969.
Apollinaris Syncletica (4th cent.?) A legendary figure, Apollinaris
Syncletica is heroine of a religious romance that tells how she disguised
herself as a boy so she could become a disciple of one of the Egyptian
hermits named Macarius.
Syncletica of Alexandria (d. c. 400) Syncletica was a rich Alexandrian
woman who went to live as a hermit in a tomb, living until she was 84
despite temptations, spiritual aridity, cancer, and tuberculosis.
Simeon Stylites the Elder (d. 459) The greatest of the pillar-sitting
saints, Simeon was from the area of Aleppo, originally a shepherd. He
became a monk, but was kicked out because of his excessive asceticism. So
S. then became a hermit, chaining himself to a rock. But too many people
disturbed him, so he moved to a platform on top of a pillar. He gradually
made it higher and higher, until it reached 67 feet. He spent the last 37
years on top of this pillar, on a platform about a yard wide. Many came to
him for advice, and his support of the council of Chalcedon was important.
After his death a massive pilgrimage complex was built around his pillar,
including four basilicas.
Cera (Ciar, Kiara) (7th cent.) Cera was an abbess in Co. Tipperary,
Ireland. She controlled two convents, at Kilkeary (from the name, is it a
fair guess that she was the founder?) and Tehelly.
Convoyon (d. 868) Convoyon was from Brittany. He was archdeacon of
Vannes, then a hermit, then a monk, then founded St. Savior's at Redon.
Viking attacks drove him from his moanstery and he died in exile.
Gaudentius of Gniezno (d. c. 1008) Gaudentius was the younger brother of
St. Adalbert of Prague. They were monks together at St. Alexius', Rome,
and were together on the mission to Prussia in which Adalbert was killed.
Gaudentius became bishop of Gniezno, apparently thanks to Otto III.
Geralach (d. c. 1170) Geralach was a soldier from near Leiden
(Netherlands). He enjoyed a life of dissipation until his wife died,
whereupon he was sorry and became a hermit---living in a hollow oak in his
native village and leading a life of extreme penance.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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