medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (2. January) is the feast day of:
Basil the Great (d. 379) One of the three "holy hierarchs" of the eastern
church and honored as a doctor of the church in the west, Basil was born to
an aristocratic and saintly family of Caesarea in Cappodocia (his parents,
three siblings, and his paternal grandparents are all saints). Basil
studied at Constantinople and Athens, then visited famous monks before
founding his own monastery in Pontus (for whom he wrote the Rule still used
in eastern monasticism). Basil became bishop of Caesarea in 370 and spent
most of his time writing and preaching against Arianism. His writings
helped fix the mainstream doctrine of the Trinity.
Gregory Nazianzen the Younger (d. 389) This Gregory was the eldest son of
the Gregory Nazianzen commemorated yesterday. In 1969 his cult was moved
to share a day with St. Basil in the west, which is appropriate since the
poor guy seems to have been under his friend Basil's thumb most of his
life. Basil forced Gregory to become bishop of Sasima in a political move,
but G. refused to serve, becoming coadjutor to his father instead. In 380
G. was made patriarch of Constantinople---but resigned after only one
month. Although apparently unsuited to public office, G. was one of the
most important theologians of the eastern church.
Adalard (d. 826) Adalard was a grandson of Charles Martel. He served
Charlemagne as an advisor, but became a monk at Corbie where he became
abbot in c. 780. Exiled from 814 to 821, A. then founded Corvey (New
Corbie) in Saxony). He was an important figure in the Carolingian
renaissance.
Stephana de Quinzani (blessed) (d. 1530) Stephana was from Brescia. At
the age of fifteen she became a Dominican tertiary, living in her family
home. Later in life she founded the convent of Soncino near Cremona,
serving as first superior. S. was especially noted for her ecstasies and
stigmata.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
[log in to unmask]
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|