Today, 20 February, is the feast of ...
* Tyrannio, Zenobius and other martyrs (304 and 310) Eusebius wrote of
these martyrs: 'After innumerable stripes and blows, which they cheerfully
endured, they were exposed to wild beasts such as leopards, wild bears,
boars, and bulls. I myself was present when these savage beasts,
accustomed to human blood, were let out upon them, and, instead of
devouring them or tearing them to pieces as might naturally be expected,
they stood off, refusing to touch or approach them, but turned on their
keepers.'
* Sadoth, bishop of Seleudia-Ctesiphon, martyr (c. 342): Suffered
persecution under King Sapor II.
* Eleutherius, bishop of Tournai (532): He appears to have been a zealous
preacher and to have converted to Christianity a great part of the Franks
in his diocese. He also vigorously opposed certain heretics who denied the
Incarnation, and was attacked by some of them as he was leaving the church
one day after Mass. He was so severely wounded that he died five weeks
later.
* Eucherius, bishop of Orleans (743): Did not get on with Charles Martel.
The legend of Eucherius seeing Charles Martel burning in hell is not found
in the primitive biography but does indicate the nature of the
relationship between the two.
* Wulfric (1154): Born in Compton Martin, eight miles from Bristol.
Wulfric spent his religious life in a cell adjoining the church at
Haselbury in Somerset. He wore chain-mail next to his skin. At night
Wulfric would strip and get into tub of cold water, remaining there till
he had recited the whole Psalter. One Easter eve Wulfric was troubled in
his sleep by a sensual illusion; he was so distressed thereby that the
next day he made open confession of it before the whole congregation of
the church.
* Elizabeth of Mantua, teritary of the Servites (1468): Her father taught
her Latin so that she was able to read devotional works. Several girls
banded together to form a community of the Servite third order under
Elizabeth's direction.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
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