medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (20. June) is the feast day of:
Alban (early 3rd cent.) The proto-martyr of Britain; both Gildas and
Bede gave accounts of him. Alban wasn't a Christian, but gave refuge
to a priest who was being hunted down. He was so impressed that he
converted, and then got the priest away by taking his place. The
magistrate was not amused and had A. executed---by beheading, since
he was a Roman citizen.
Silverius (d. 537) Silverius became pope in 536, in the middle of
the monophysite controversy AND the Byzantine reconquest of Italy.
the monophysite empress Theodora plotted against S., he was accused
of betraying Rome to the Goths, and he was kidnapped and taken to
Asia Minor. Justinian had him returned to Italy, where he was
immediately impresoned and tried for treason, then exiled to an
island off Naples---where he was starved to death or murdered in some
other way.
Adalbert of Magdeburg (d. 981) Adalbert first appears in the
historic record as a monk of St. Maximin's, Trier, who was ordered
off to Russia (much against his will) as a missionary. He got to
Kiev only to discover that the pro-Christian duchess Olga had been
ousted from power; A. barely escaped with his life. Otto I was
relatively grateful and made A an abbot, and in 968 made him the
first archbishop of Magdeburg.
Osanna of Mantua (blessed) (d. 1505) Osanna was a noblewoman,
related to the dukes of Mantua. She had a religious experience at
age five and took to long periods of prayer, penance, and transes.
O. refused to marry, but was not professed as a Dominican tertiary
(her urgent wish) until she was 51. She was a noted ecstatic, was a
trusted advisor of the duke of Mantua, and especially fought
injustice around her.
--
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
Associate Professor & Chair
History Department
University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Dr. #5047
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-5844
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