medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (13. February) is the feast day of:
Polyeuctus (3rd cent.) The subject of a tragedy by Corneille,
Polyeuctus was the subject of an early cult. He was a Greek, an
officer in the Roman army, who converted to Christianity. P and the
friend who converted him were killed in a persecution, most likely
that of Decius. His acta tell how his wife, his children, and even
his father-in-law begged P to save his life, but he held fast to his
beliefs and was martyred.
Ermengild (d. c. 700) Ermengild was a daughter of King Earconbert of
Kent and St. Sexburga (there are several other saints in the family,
too). E married King Wulfhere of Mercia, converting him to
Christianity and helping to spread the faith. She retired as a widow
to the convent of Minster on Sheppey, which her mother had built,
succeeding mom as abbess first at Sheppey and then at Ely.
Jordan of Saxony (blessed) (d. 1237) Jordan succeeded Dominic as
master general of the Order of Preachers. He was from somewhere in
Saxony (duhh), and first appears on the stage of history as a student
in Paris. J became a Dominican in 1220, in 1221 became prior
provincial of Lombardy, etc. J. was the first historian of the young
order.
Christina of Spoleto (blessed) (d. 1458) Augustina Camozzi (who
later took the name Christina) was the daughter of a doctor. She
pursued a worldly existence, married, and was widowed at a young age.
Then she took to extreme penance, joining the third order of St.
Augustine, and practicing asceticism to such good effect that she
died at the age of 23. C's cult was confirmed in 1834.
Eustochium of Padua (blessed) (d. 1459) Eustochium's mother was a
nun who forgot her vow of chastity rather badly. E. was born in the
convent---but the community was soon dispersed by an outraged bishop.
Still, E. was educated at the convent and proved to be a very pious
kid, winning the bishop's support for her consecration as a nun (over
the nuns' objections). She soon proved to be possessed by demons, or
mentally ill, or something of the sort. At one point the townspeople
even tried to storm the convent and have E. burned as a witch. She
survived that crisis, but continued to have spells of violence and
self-mutilation. She eventually fell so ill she was bedridden, and
died at the age of 26. At that time, the name "Jesus" was found
carved on her chest. A whole series of apparitions and miracles
ensued at her tomb, and her body was found to be incorrupt 3-1/2
years later. The strong local cult that developed has never won
official confirmation.
**********************************************************************
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
|