medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (2. June) is the feast day of:
martyrs of Lyons (d. 177) One of the most famous groups of early
martyrs, thanks to a very graphic contemporary letter describing
their trial and deaths (perhaps written by Irenaeus). The Christians
(at least a dozen of them) were attacked by a lynch mob, but rescued
and put on trial. The ninety-year-old bishop, Photinus, died in
prison from the mob's ill treatment; the rest were thrown to the
beasts in the amphitheater.
Erasmus (Elmo) of Formia (d. c. 303) Erasmus was a bishop of Formia
(Italy), martyred in the reign of Diocletian. His relics were taken
to Gaeta when Formia was destroyed in a ninth-century Muslim raid.
He had some very inventive devotees, who made his cult very popular
in the Middle Ages---not only did he become the patron saint of
sailors, but who could resist a saint whose guts were wound out of
him with a windlass (?)
Marcellinus and Peter (d. 304) Marcellinus was a priest and Peter
was probably an exorcist, both in Rome. They were martyred and
especially acclaimed by their contemporaries, for reasons that are no
longer known. At any rate, M and P both made it into the Roman canon
of the mass and Constantine built a basilica over their tombs.
Eugenius I (d. 657) Eugenius was a Roman priest who became pope in
place of the exiled Pope Martin in 654. E. continued Martin's
opposition to official imperial monothelite doctrine, but fortunately
the emperor was so busy dealing with Muslims he didn't have time to
deal with the pope.
Adalgis (d. c. 686) Adalgis (Algis) was an Irish monk, a disciple of
St. Fursey. He became a missionary in Picardy.
Stephen of Corvey (d. c. 1075) A monk of Corvey, Stephen was
consecrated as a missionary bishop for Sweden. He worked in the
areas of Uppsala and Stockholm until he was killed in an
anti-Christian reaction.
Nicholas Peregrinus (d. 1094) Nicholas was apparently a teenaged
Greek immigrant in Apulia who wandered around shouting "Kyrie
eleison." He attracted crowds of imitators, especially children, and
a lot of people thought he was insane. He died at Trani and so many
miracles were reported at his tomb that he was canonized in 1098.
Sadoc of Sandomir & companions (blessed) (d. 1260) Sadoc was a
disciple of Dominic, who sent him to Hungary. S. ended up in Poland
where he founded a friary at Sandomir. The town was destroyed in a
Mongol raid and S and his 48 brethren were massacred in their
church--while singing the Salve Regina. Their cult was confirmed in
1807.
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