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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (9. April) is the feast day of: Mary Cleophas (1st cent.) "The other Mary" of the passion narrative, this Mary produced several apostolic children. Legend reports that after the resurrection she went to Spain and died at Ciudad Rodrigo. Or perhaps she went to Provence along with Lazarus and his sisters. Neither legend has much historical basis. Eupsychius of Caesarea (d. 362) Eupsychius was a newlywed of Caesarea (Cappadocia), who led a group of Christians to destroy the temple of Fortuna. Julian the Apostate did not approve, and E. and Company didn't live to tell the tale. Roman Captives (d. 362) When the Persians took the city of Bethzarba on the Tigris, Sozomen reports that they captured 9000 Christians and took them off to Persia. Bisop Heliodorus died on the road, consecrating a new bishop to care to the community before he did so. When they reached their destination, 300 were chosen and given the choice of converting to Zoroastrianism or dying. 25 apostacized and were richly rewarded; the rest were massacred. Acacius of Amida (d. after 421) Acacius was a Mesopotamian bishop. He spent every bit of money he could raise ransoming Christian prisoners from the Persian authorities, even melting down his altar vessels for the cause. In this way, he so impressed the Persian king Bahram V that he ceased his persecution of Christians. Casilda of Briviesca (d. c. 1050) Casilda was a daughter of the Muslim king of Toledo. She secretly cared for Christian captives, and finally braved her father's anger to escape, be baptized, and end her life as a recluse near Briviesca. Thomas of Tolentino and companions (blessed) (d. 1321) Thomas was a Franciscan. He worked as a missionary in Armenia and Persia, then set out for China---but never got there, because he was seized and beheaded by Muslims in the East Indies. Antony of Pavini (blessed) (d. 1374) Antony became a Dominican at Savigliano, and in 1360 was appointed inquisitor-general of Lombardy and Genoa at the young age of 34. He spent 14 years working against the heretics of northern Italy, preaching and leading an exemplary life of poverty. Finally seven heretics attacked and killed him. A's tomb became a pilgrimage site, but he was not beatified until 1868. 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