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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (2. June) is the feast day of: Pothinus (d. 177) Pothinus was born in c. 88 in Asia Minor, and was probably a disciple of Polycarp. In c. 150 he became first bishop of Lyons. At an advanced age, Pothinus became one of the 48 martyrs of Lyons killed in a persecution at that time. Blandina (d. 177) Another martyr of Lyons. Alexandros of Lyons (d. 177). Yet another martyr of Lyons, A. was the first known physician to be martyred. Marcellinus and Peter (d. c. 304?) The relics of M & P were brought to Seligenstadt (Hesse) in 827, stolen from Rome. Their cult grew so strong that the location of their relics came to be known as "city of the saints" (Seligenstadt). Legend reports that Marcellinus was a priest and Peter an exorcist; they were imprisoned during Diocletian's persecution. Peter drove out the demon that possessed the prison keeper's daughter, converting her whole family. M & P were beheaded. Erasmus (Elmo) (d. 310 or maybe 303) According to legend, Erasmus was from Asia and in c. 300 became bishop of Antioch. He was tortured in the persecutions of both Diocletian and Maximian, but survived to die at an old age in Formia in Campania (Italy), perhaps martyred there. His martyrdom legend is particularly gory: he is supposed to have had his intestines pulled out with a winch. Since 1969 his veneration has been limited to local calendars. Stephen of Halsingland (d. 1072) Stephen (also called Simon) was a monk of Corvey, consecrated in c. 1065 as a missionary bishop by Adalbert of Bremen-Hamburg. He was sent to the north, settled in Halsingland (northern Sweden), and became a successful missionary. Perhaps the clearest sign of his success is that he was murdered in 1072 by pagans in a forest near Norrala, which for centuries was a pilgrimage center. Nicolas Peregrinus (d. 1094) The shepherd Nicolas "the pilgrim" was born in Greece in 1075. While still a boy he wandered all around southern Italy carrying a cross and shouting "Kyrie eleison." Great crowds followed him, especially children, also shouting the same. Authorities regarded him as a fool, but after his death (at the age of 19) so many miracles occurred at his tomb in Trani that soon a major cult arose. It is said that he was canonized in 1098. Juan or Ortega (d. 1163) Juan was born near Burgos (Spain) in c. 1080. He became a priest and went on pilgrimages to Jerusalem and Rome; in the process he suffered shipwreck and was saved by St. Nicholas. After his return, Juan became a hermit in Ortega (Urtica), built a chapel on the pilgrim road to Santiago and cared for pilgrims in a hospice there. Sadok (blessed) (d. 1259 or 1260) Sadok was a disciple of St. Dominic, who in 1221 sent him to Hungary. There and in Poland Sadok established the Order of Preachers, founding numerous convents. He was killed in Sandomir (Poland) during the Mongol invasion, along with 48 other Dominicans---all singing the Salve Regina while being beheaded. Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice [log in to unmask] ********************************************************************** 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