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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (18. December) is the feast day of: Rufus and Zosimus (d. c. 107) R and Z were citizens of Antioch, brought to Rome along with Ignatius. They proclaimed their Christianity and were thrown to the wild beasts, two days before Ignatius' execution. Zosimus (3rd/4th cent.) A more interesting Zosimus by far, this one was a hermit in the desert of Cilicia who lived with the wild beasts. He was arrested by the local prefect, tortured, but suffered no injury. The usual pattern was disrupted, though, when a lion ambled into the theater and proclaimed the Christian faith in a human voice. The prefect converted; Zosimus was freed. Zosimus and his new disciple then went back to the desert for instruction and baptism. One day a great rock miraculous split open, and the two climbed into it, commending their souls to God. Gatianus of Tours (d. 301) According to tradition, Pope Fabianus sent Gatianus to Gaul as a missionary in c. 2249. He became the first bishop of Tours, enjoying great success in his fifty years in office. The cathedral of Tours is dedicated to G.; Martin of Tours deposited his relics there in c. 380. Auxentius of Mopsuestia (d. after 321) A. was a high-ranking officer in the personal guard of Emperor Licinius (Constantine's co-ruler, the one who gets left out of so many Christian accounts). Licinius was a co-signer of the Edict of Milan, but still a worshipper of the old gods; when A. refused to join in sacrifices he was dismissed. A. then became a priest and soon after bishop of Mopsuetia. Flannan (7th cent.) According to a late legend, the Irish Flannan was disciple and successor of St. Molua, founder of the monastery of Killaloe. He is credited with foundingseveral churches in Ireland and Scotland. Samthann (d. 739) One of the great Irish female saints. She founded a convent at Clonbroney, and was a leader of the celi de (culdee) reform movement. She seems to have been a very active spiritual advisor, including such radical statements as that pilgrimage is unnecessary, because God is near everyone who calls on him. Winnibald (d. 761) Winnibald was the brother of Sts. Willibald and Walburga. When the three of them went on pilgrimage to Rome, our W stayed there to study for seven years before returning to England. Then in 739 he and some companions joined Boniface in his missionary work. W and his brother Willibald eventually founded the monastery of Heidenheim, which served as a missionary center as well as a monastery; W was nearly killed at one point by disgruntled pagans in the area. 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