medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (18. August) is the feast day of:
Agapitus (d. 274) Agapitus was an early martyr of Palestrina. A
late vita tells that he was a 15-year-old who refused to disavow his
faith under a great deal of extreme and unlikely torture; the
governor was felled by a stroke, the wild beasts refused to touch A,
and a tribune who witnessed the event was converted.
The martyrs of Utica (3rd or 4th cent.) These martyrs are also known
as the "white mass." They are said to number 300. The governor gave
them a choice of sacrificing incense to the state gods or being
thrown in a heated lime kiln. They all chose the latter, of course,
and were reduced to white powder. More sober historians tell that
Massa Candida is really a place name and a number of martyrs was
buried there; the bit about the martyrs themselves turning into white
powder seems to be a later inspiration.
Helena (d. c. 329) The mother of Constantine. Discoverer of the
True Cross (first attested in one of Ambrose's sermons, dating to
385). Ambassador for her son to the Holy Land, where she founded a
basilica at Bethlehem. Medieval people believed that Helena was born
in Britain, apparently confusing her with Helen Luyddog.
Macarius the Wonderworker (d. c. 850) Macarius was born in
Constantinople, where he received a good education before going off
to become a monk. As his name suggests, he was noted for miracles.
Which did not protect him from iconoclast emperors. Leo the Armenian
tortured and imprisoned M; the next emperor tried to win M. over by
more peaceful means, but ended up banishing him. He died in exile.
Mannes (blessed) (d. c. 1230) Mannes was the elder brother of St.
Dominic. He was one of D's first followers. He was put in charge of
a convent at Madrid. His cult was approved in 1834.
**********************************************************************
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
|