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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (6. November) is the feast day of: Mennas (d. c. 300) The Egyptian Mennas (or Menas) was perhaps a Roman soldier; it is certain that he was martyred at about the time of Diocletian's persecution. His shrine at Bumma (near Alexandria) was a major pilgrimage center until the Arab conquest of Egypt. Illtud (d. early 6th cent.) The British Illtud was founder and abbot of Llanilltud Fawr, which became one of the most important monasteries of South Wales. He is believed to have been a disciple of Germanus of Auxerre and learned in scriptural studies and philosophy. He seems to have made it to Brittany at some point in his life; his twelfth-century Life tells that he sailed there with grain ships to relieve a famine. Leonard (6th cent.?) There is no trace of Leonard's cult before the eleventh century, but he became one of the most popular saints of the later middle ages. He was especially recognized as a patron of pregnant women and captives. According to his eleventh-century vita, Leonard was a Frankish noble, converted to Christianity by Remigius. Leonard refused his godfather Clovis' offer of a bishopric, instead becoming a monk and then a hermit at Noblac. One day the king and queen were hunting nearby when the queen went into labor; she was safely delivered thanks to the help and prayers of the saint. Clovis was so grateful that he gave Leonard as much land as he could ride around on a donkey in one night. L. used the land to found the monastery of Noblac. Melaine (d. c. 535) Melaine (Mellion) succeeded St. Amand as bishop of Rennes and served as an advisor of Clovis. His cult rapidly became very popular in Brittany. Christina Bruzo (blessed) (d. 1312) Christina was born at Stommeln (near Cologne) in 1242. Starting in 1268 she had a series of intense mysticl experiences, receiving the stigmata on her hands, feet, forehead, and side. She did her best to hide them, a difficult task since they bled every Easter. The parish priest who recorded her experiences also reported harassment by demons and visions. Nonius Alvarez de Pereira (blessed) (d. 1431) Nonius (or Nunez) was born near Lisbon in 1360. At the age of 23 he was made commander of the Portuguese armies by the future King John I, and led the revolt against Spanish domination, establishing Portugal as an independent state. He is a national hero of Portugal, known as "the Grand Constable." After N's wife died, he became a Carmelite lay brother, retired to a Lisbon convent he had founded. Margaret of Lorraine (blessed) (d. 1521) Margaret was born in 1463, the daughter of Duke Frederick of Lorraine. In 1488 she married Rene, duke of Alencon, but was widowed in 1492. After that, M. devoted herself to raising their three children and to works of charity. When the kids had grown up, she joined the Poor Clares, founding a convent at Argentan. 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