medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (2. January) is the feast day of:
Basil the Great (d. 379) Doctor of the church and patriarch of
eastern monks, Basil was a member of an extremely holy family (his
parents Basil the Elder and Emmelia are regarded as saints, as is his
grandmother Macrina the Elder) of Caesarea in Cappadocia. B. taught
rhetoric for a time before being baptized and becoming a hermit. He
attracted followers, whom he formed into the first monastery in Asia
Minor. In 370 he was elected archbishop of Caesarea. He became the
east's greatest leader in the fight against Arianism. His writings
have been enormously influential, besides which he was famed for
personal holiness and charity.
Gregory Nazianzen (d. 389) A close friend of Basil, and also member
of a many-sainted family (Nonna and Greg. Nazianzen the Elder were
his parents). Gregory returned to Nazianzus after his education, but
soon joined Basil in his hermitage. He returned home to act as
coadjutor of his father's diocese and in c. 372 became bishop of
Sasima---at Basil's behest---but shocked B. by never actually going
to the diocese (which was strongly Arian). When the severely Arian
emperor Valens died (in the battle of Adrianople), Greg. was invited
to Constantinople to preach against Arians, which he did very
effectively, and Theodosius named him patriarch of Constantinople.
But G. soon resigned the see and retired. G. is a doctor of the
church, often nicknamed "the Theologian."
Macarius of Alexandria (d. c. 394) Macarius (also called "the
Younger") was a successful businessman, but gave it up to become a
monk in the Thebaid. He lived the last 60 years of his life as a
hermit. In 373 he moved to Lower Egypt, building monastic
communities at Skete and Nitria.
Munchin (7th cent.) The patron saint of Limerick (the city in
Ireland, not the verse form). Munchin is called "the Wise"---which
is about all that's known of him.
Adalhard (d. 827) Adalhard was a Carolingian, a grandson of Charles
Martel. He became a monk at Corbie in 773, but was soon drafted as
one of Charlemagne's advisors. A. was accused of treason early in
the reign of Louis the Pious and exiled to an island, but was
recalled in 5 years, at first to court but soon packed off to Corbie.
From there, A. founded the confusingly-named monastery of Corvey near
Paderborn. Under his rule, both monasteries became centers of
learning.
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