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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (31. December) is the feast day of: Sabinian and Potentian (d. c. 300) Tradition makes Sabinian and Potentian the first and second bishops of Sens, martyred in the last round of persecution. A later legend (surprise, surprise) declares that they were disciples of St. Peter. Sylvester (d. 335) Sylvester was a Roman who became pope in 314, just after Christianity was legalized. Little is known of the historic Sylvester, but the legendary one is very important in the history of Christianity, credited with curing Constantine of leprosy, baptizing him, and receiving from him the so-called "Donation of Constantine." Zoticus of Constantinople (d. c. 350) Zoticus was a Roman priest who migrated to Constantinople when that city became capital. There he founded a hospital for the poor and orphans. Legend tells that in the reign of the Arian emperor Constantius Z. was tied to wild horses and dragged to death. Melania the Younger and Pinian (d. 438) This Melania was a granddaughter of Melania the Elder. She inherited an enormous estate and she and her husband Pinian proceeded to give it to the poor. They founded a pilgrims' hostel in their home in Rome, and moved around, finally settling in Jerusalem. After Pinian died in 431, Melania founded a convent on the Mount of Olives, where she retired. Barbatian (5th cent.) Barbatian was a priest of Antioch (Syria). He went to Rome where he became an advisor of Empress Galla Placidia. She built him a monastery in Ravenna. Peter of Subiaco (d. 1003) Peter was abbot of Subiaco. He defended the feudal rights of his monastery against a particularly tough customer, who blinded P. and imprisoned him until he died. P. is venerated as a martyr. 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