medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
The final link below does not work. Use this instead:
http://tinyurl.com/q7ycq95
Another view, for good measure:
http://www.hollandamericablog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_40281.jpg
The BVM as author of the (apocryphal) letter to the people of Messina is known as the Madonna della Lettera. That's she on the pillar at the end of the Punta San Ranieri. The text of her letter that's in use now is not attested prior to the early eighteenth century. Its sentiments are nice but the execution is a bit faulty (e.g. Mary or, one may suppose, her amanuensis dates the letter by the year of her son and then adds the indiction, some 200+ years before the indiction cycle came into use for anything other than tax records). The legend itself can be traced to the mid-sixteenth century, just around the upper limit of this list's chronological purview. It could be older. But by how much?
Best again,
John Dillon
On 02/27/15, I wrote:
> Luke's monastery on the Lingua Phari (now the Punta San Ranieri) was confiscated in 1546 by Charles V, who converted it into a fort. An explosion and fire in 1549 destroyed most of the monastic structures; what remained was removed or built over in what even today is a restricted-access military site. A distance view of the harbor, with the Punta San Ranieri to the right of center, is here:
> http://tinyurl.com/ar3waa
> Closer views of the site:
> http://tinyurl.com/kkwgjgr
> http://tinyurl.com/79uca2s
> http://tinyurl.com/q7ycq9
> The inscription visible in that last view reads in full: VOS ET IPSAM CIVITATEM / BENEDICIMUS
> According to Messinese legend, this is how in the year 42 the BVM ended her letter to the faithful of the city, already largely converted by St. Paul. Not every port can display such august paleochristian recognition.
>
> Best,
> John Dillon
> (matter from older posts revised)
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