medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (10. October) is the feast day of:
Gereon and companions (d. c. 287) Gereon was a member of the
legendary Theban Legion, executed for refusing to sacrifice to the
state gods. While Maurice and most of the legionaries killed died on
September 22, Gereon (says the story) was caught in the follow-up
operation and executed with companions at Cologne on October 10.
Eulampius and Eulampia (d. c. 310) Eulampius was a youthful
Christian of Nicomedia. During Galerius' persecution, he hid in
nearby caves, but was arrested while buying food. He stood up for
his religion under torture, and his sister Eulampia ran to join him.
So they were both tortured and beheaded along with 200 other
Christians.
Maharsapor (d. 421) Maharsapor was a noble Persian Christian. Shah
Yezdigerd launched a persecution of Christians in retaliation against
the destruction of a Zoroastrian temple, and M. was seized along with
other Christians. They were tortured, several were executed right
away, but M. was imprisoned for three years. Then apparently the
Persians decided that they weren't going to get anywhere with him, so
they starved him to death.
Cerbonius (d. c. 575) Cerbonius was driven from Africa by the Arian
Vandals, He moved to Italy and became bishop of Populonia
(Piombino). There, C got in trouble with the Ostrogothic king Totila
(who was fighting Justinian's forces for control of Italy at the time
and resented C. sheltering Roman soldiers) and sentenced to be killed
by wild beasts. But C. was miraculously saved and ended up exiled on
Elba for the last thirty years of his life.
Paulinus of York (d. 843) Paulinus was an Englishman who went on
pilgrimage to the Holy Land. While returning in 835 he stopped off
at Capua, and was made bishop. He served for 18 years, but fled from
invading Saracens and died at Sicopolis.
Daniel and companions (d. 1227) Daniel was Franciscan provincial of
Calabria. He and six friars went to Morocco to evangelize Muslims.
The Muslims resented this. All seven were beheaded.
A modern saint: Francis Borgia (d. 1572) Francis Borgia was a son of
the duke of Gandia, part of the Spanish branch of the Borgia family.
F. pursued a normal secular life for a noble, marrying, serving as
Charles V's advisor, serving as viceroy of Catalonia, and becoming
duke of Gandia when his dad died. When his wife died in 1546, F.
decided to take to the religious life, and in 1548 joined the
Jesuits. In 1565 he became father general of the order, after 17
years of very active preaching, founding, etc. He expanded the
Society of Jesus, was a leader of the Catholic Reformation, and seems
on the whole to have been a very impressive guy. F was canonized in
1671.
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