medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (5. February) is the feast day of:
Agatha (?) Legend tells that Agatha was a Sicilian of wealthy family
who dedicated herself to God. During some imperial persecution, a
consul fell in lust with her and used the persecution as a pretext to
work his evil will upon her. She refused his importunities, though,
so he humiliated and tortured her. She's often shown holding a pair
of pincers or caring her breasts on a plate (legend says her wanna-be
lover had them torn off). Bread is blessed on St. Agatha's day
because of a misunderstanding---that it was bread on the plate,
rather than severed mammalian tissue. A. is the patron saint of
nurses, I assume at least originally of the nursery (wet nurse)
variety.
Avitus of Vienne (d. c. 525) Avitus succeeded his father as bishop
of Vienne in 90. He was known for his learning and charity, and also
for ransoming captives. He converted the king of Burgundy to
Christianity.
Bertulf (d. c. 705) Bertulf was a German who went to Flanders and
converted there to Christianity. He became steward for a count,
joining him on pilgrimage to Rome. Bertulf inherited the estate when
the count and his wife died, and used the land t found the monastery
of Renty.
Adelaide of Bellich (d. c. 1015) Adelaide was a noblewoman who
became abbess of Bellich near Bonn (and also at St. Mary's in
Cologne), both convents built by her father. She was known for her
care for the poor.
**********************************************************************
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
|