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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (19. August) is the feast day of: Andrew the Tribune and Companions (d. c. 303) These were an officer and some men of the Roman army on an expedition against the Persians. They were denounced as Christians and ran for it, taking refuge in the Taurus Mountains. But they were hunted down and killed. Magnus of Anagni (?) A nice example of saint invention. The old Roman Martyrology included an intry for St. Andrew the Tribune (see above), calling him "Andreas Tribunus Magnus Martyr." Somebody then accidentally inserted a comma after "tribunus," thus creating a new martyr-saint named Magnus. Later, his acta were written---a very impressive guy, even if he never existed. Timothy, Thecla, and Agapius (d. 304) Timothy was bishop of Gaza, burned alive during the persecution. At the same time Thecla was thrown to the wild animals. Agapius actually had nothing to do with them---he was drowned in the Mediterranean at Caesarea in 306 and was listed with the other two by accident. Mochta (6th cent.) Legend tells that Mochta was a native of Britain who went to Ireland, where he founded the monastery of Louth. Elaphius (d. 580) Elaphius was bishop of Chalons-sur-Marne from 572 until his death. He died while traveling to Spain---Gregory of Tours says on a diplomatic mission, but later tradition more piously tells that E. was in quest of the relics of St. Eulalia at Merida. Rusticus of Cahors (d. 629) Rusticus was a native of Albi who became bishop of Cahors in 622. Local villains killed him and threw his body----into a river this time, not a well. Bertulf of Bobbio (d. 640) Bertulf was a Frank who became a monk at Luxeuil and then went on to Bobbio, where he became abbot in 627. He caught my eye because he got a papal dispensation exempting Bobbio from episcopal jurisdiction, the first known case of such an exemption. Sebald (d. c. 770) Sebald was apparently an Englishman, one of Willibald's assistants in the mission field. He became a hermit near Nurnberg, and is the city's patron (his church there is very lovely with a thoroughly impressive organ). Guerric of Igny (d. c. 1155) A native of Tournai, Guerric became a canon and headmaster there. But like so many, he went to visit Bernard of Clairvaux and was so inspired that he stayed and became a monk. Bernard sent G. on to become first abbot of Igny (near Rheims), where he became an important writer on monastic spirituality. Louis of Toulouse (d. 1297) Son of the king of Naples, Charles II, Louis spent many of his formative years as a hostage in Aragon. Just before his release he was appointed bishop of Toulouse. He also became a Franciscan just before his ordination and consecration. L. then died six months later. He was canonized in 1317 (although I can't find any particular reason why). 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