Today, 4 April, is the feast of ...
* Agathopus and Theodulus, martyrs (303) - In the Roman Martyrology
there is the following entry: "At Thessalonica, of the holy martyrs
Agathopus, deacon, and Theodulus, lector, who under the Emperor Maximian
and the governor Faustinus were for their confession of the Christian
faith drowned in the sea with stones tied to their necks."
* Isidore, bishop of Seville, doctor (636) - Isidore's early training is
reminiscent of the fruitful discussion that Thomas Sullivan introduced
to the medieval-religion a few weeks ago concerning slapping as a means
of reinforcing one's memory. As a boy Isidore was educated by his
brother Leander who would often slap Isidore whenever the future
encyclopaedist had trouble remembering his lessons. The system at any
rate had good results for Isidore became the most learned man of his
age, and what is even more remarkable in the circumstances, an ardent
educationist. Now isn't that a slap in the face!
* Tigernach, bishop (549) - Although consecrated bishop at Clogher in
Ireland, he lived at the monastery of Clones which he had founded.
Consequently he was surnamed "Fer da chrich" - man of two districts.
* Plato, abbot (814) - Abbot of the monastery of Symboleon on Mount
Olympus and then become abbot of the monastery Sakkudion. Banished to
the isles of the Bospherus by the Emperor Nicephorus for opposing
imperial misdoings.
* Peter, bishop of Poitiers (1115) - Along with Ivo of Chartres, Bernard
of Tiron, William the Troubadour, and Robert of Arbrissel, Peter
denounced King Philip I of France for repudiating his wife Bertha and
then entering into union with Bertrada de Montfort. It was in Peter's
diocese that Robert of Arbrissel founded the abbey of Fontevrault.
* Benedict the Holy Black, Franciscan (1589) - Born to African slaves in
a village near Massina in Sicily, Benedict was set free by the slave
owner. An infused sacred learning enabled him to expound on Holy
Scriptures to the edification of priests and novices. His ability to
read minds coupled with a kind nature made him a successful director of
novices. He became patron saint of African Americans and protector of
the town of Palermo.
Last George Ferzoco asked:
Does anyone know of other 'saints of colour' in pre-modern Europe?
And Sharon Hackett repsonded:
Catholic online has a heading for "ethnic saints". Augustine, Monica,
and of course the aforementioned Benedict are listed under the heading
'black saints'. Here are the other pre-modern black saints listed:
"Saint Moses the Black, was a desert monk, born around 330."
"The names of the three African Popes are: Victor (189-203 A.D.),
Gelasius (492-496 A.D.), and Melchiades or Miltiades (311-314 A.D.). All
are saints." They take e-mail submissions of ethnic saints, so if we
come up with more saints (or more categories - the current ethnicities
listed are black and irish) we can send 'em in :)
Claire Labrecque added:
Saint Ide d'Argensolles, black Benedictine, from Saint-Leonard
(Liege,Belgique). She was abbesse in a cistercian abbaye. (c.1226).
Florent de Carracedo (c. 1156), was abbot in a monastery of black
benedictines in Carracedo (Spain).
Eugyppe (c.511), africain saint.
There's many.
"Saints of colour" means only black colour or any other? There's also
many asiatics saints.
For further discussion see
http://www.mailbase.ac.uk/lists-k-o/medieval-religion/1998-04/0089.html
* * * * * * *
Dr Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
Bristol BS8 1TB
UK
phone: +44(0)117-928-8168
fax: +44(0)117-929-7850
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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