medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (26. November) is the feast day of:
Siricius (d. 399) Pope Siricius was elected in 384; he had been one
of Damasus I's deacons. Jerome didn't much like S, but he was still
added to the Roman Martyrology in 1748. S. was particularly
distinguished for fighting heterodoxy, including Jovinian (a monk who
questioned the value of virginity and denied that the Virgin Mary
remained so after Jesus' birth), and Priscillianism (although S. was
one of many who argued that Priscillian should be judged by
ecclesiastical authorities, not the emperor).
Conrad of Constance (d. 975) Conrad was the second son of Count
Heinrich von Altdorf, and thus designated for a religious career. He
was educated at Constance, became provost of the cathedral, and went
on to be bishop of Constance in 934. Very unusually for a German
bishop of the age, C. took a vow of poverty, giving his land over to
the diocese and poor, besides building three churches. C. also
traveled three times to Jerusalem. In art, C. is represented by a
chalice and a spider. The legend tells that C. was celebrating mass
on Easter when a large spider fell into the chalice. Despite the
general belief that spiders were poisonous, out of respect for the
sacrament C. swallowed the beast---and was unharmed. C. was
canonized in 1123.
Nikon "Metanoiete" (d. 998) Nikon was a native of Pontus (modern
Turkey). He became a monk at a young age, but after 12 years of
prayer decided to go out and preach. He became a missionary on Crete
(recently recovered from Muslim rule), and won many people back to
Christianity. He started every sermon with "Repent!"
("metanoiete")---thus his nickname.
Silvester Gozzolini (d. 1267) Silvestro Gozzolini was born near
Ancona in c. 1177. He was sent to study law, but took to theology
instead, then went back home to a comfortable benefice and a very
active life of pastoral care. Finally at about the age of 50, S
resigned his benefice and became a hermit. Disciples gathered in the
traditional manner, and he built a monastery at Monte Fano near
Fabriano. This became the mother house of a sub-branch of
Benedictines, the Silvestrian Benedictines, which won papal approval
in 1247.
Elzear (saint) and Delphina (blessed) (d. 1323 & 1360) Delphine was
a noble heiress, betrothed to Elzear at a young age. They married at
age 16 and agreed to live together "as brother and sister." I'm not
sure what Elzear did that was particularly holy (or why he's a
sanctus while D. is only a beata), but after E's death D. spent the
last 37 years of her life giving away all her goods to the poor and
then becoming a recluse.
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