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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (8. February) is the feast day of: Cointha (Quinta) of Alexandria (d. 249) Cointha was a young woman of Alexandria, caught by an anti-Christian mob. When she refused to sacrifice, they killed her, either by flogging and stoning her or by tying her to a horse's tail and having her dragged through the streets. Elfleda (Aelflaed) (d. 714) Elfleda was a daughter of King Oswiu of Northumbria, dedicated to the religious life at infancy because her parents had vowed a child to God if Oswiu won a battle against Penda of Mercia. Little Elfleda was turned over to St. Hilda, and in time she became abbess of Whitby. Her relics were discovered and translated at Whitby in c. 1125. Peter Igneus (d. c. 1089) Peter was a Florentine who became a Vallombrosan monk under John Gualbert. In a great public confrontation, Peter walked successfully through fire to prove that the bishop of Florence was a simonist. By doing so he won the nickname "firey" (Igneus), made the bishop's position completely untenable, and won such strong papal approbation that he was soon made cardinal bishop of Albano. Stephen of Muret (d. 1124) Stephen was a native of Auvergne. In 1076 he renounced his inheritance and became a hermit at Muret (northeast of Limoges). He stayed there for 46 years living in great austerity, which included wearing a metal breastplate instead of a hairshirt. The disciples who joined S. established the order of Grandmont. Jacoba de Settesoli (13th cent.) Jacoba was a friend of Francis of Assisi. She was a noble Italian who married well. When she met Francis in 1212 (when she was about 22) she was so impressed that she tried to join him, but was sent back to her family and joined the third order. She was very active in aiding the new order, caring for brothers who came to Rome, etc., winning the nickname "Brother Jacoba" in the process. Francis sent for her just before his death, and she cared for him in his final days. After that, J. moved to Assisi to continue to care for the friars. When she died at about the age of 80, she was buried in the crypt of S. Francesco of Assisi, facing toward Francis. Jerome Emiliani (d. 1537) Jerome was a native of Venice and became a military commander. He was defeated and taken prisoner, later escaping. Sometime around there he enjoyed a religious conversion, was ordained in 1518 and dedicated the rest of his life to relief of the suffering. Starting in 1531 he founded a series of orphanages, hospitals, and houses for reformed prostitutes, founding a religious congregation, the Somaschi, to tend them. He was canonized in 1767. 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