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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (5. August) is the feast day of: Addai and Mari (1st cent.?) According to a legend that was popular by c. 400, King Abgar of Edessa fell ill and was referred to that new holy man wandering around Palestine---Jesus. Jesus sent the king a letter, and soon one of the 72 disciples---Addai (alias Thaddeus)---was also sent. Addai healed the king, then converted him and a multitude to Christianity. He converted Aggai, who converted Mari, who became a great Christian leader of Edessa. Afra (d. c. 304) According to legend, Afra was a prostitute of Augsburg, martyred during Diocletian's persecution. She was burned to death on an isle in the River Lech. Eusignius of Antioch (d. 362) Eusignius had been a soldier under Constantius Chlorus. At the age ofa 110, he refused Julian the Apostate's demand that he sacrifice to the state gods, and was executed. Nonna of Nazianzus (d. 371) Nonna was a Christian woman of Cappadocia who married the magistrate Gregory of Nazianzus. She converted him to Christianity to such good effect that he became a priest, then a bishop, and is now venerated as St. Gregory of Nazianzus the Elder. All three of their children are also regarded as saints. Oswald of Northumbria (d. 642) Oswald, the son of a Northumbrian king, lived for some years in exile in Scotland, becoming a Christian at Iona in the process. In 633 he returned to Northumbria, and soon became king. Oswald actively promoted Christianity in his kingdom, especially by importing and supporting Aidan from Iona. As if that weren't enough for a cult, Oswald was killed in battle against the non-Christian Penda of Mercia, after which O's body was sacrificially mutilated. Abel of Rheims (d. c. 751) Abel was Irish or English, a companion of St. Boniface. Boniface had Abel chosen as archbishop of Rheims, but A. was never able to take possession because of an opposing claim. He retired to Lobbes, where he became abbot. 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