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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (20. January) is the feast day of: Fabian (d. 250) Fabian was a layman when he was elected bishop of Rome in 236---legend tells that the choice fell on him because a dove settled on his shoulder during the election. He was martyred early in the Decian persecution. Sebastian (d. c. 288) The legend of Sebastian is that he was a Gaul who became a Roman soldier. He converted lots of people but still impressed everyone so much with his warlike virtues that he was named captain of the praetorian guard in Rome. It came out that S. was a Christian during the persecution. His execution was ordered, and he was taken out, shot full of arrows, and left for dead. But St. Irene went to bury him, found him still dead, and nursed him back to health. Then S. went and denounced the emperor to his face--for which he was beaten to death. The whole tale seems to date no earlier than the fifth century; the historic core seems to be that he was a martyr, and was buried on the Appian Way. Period. Euthymius the Great (d. 473) Euthymius was an Armenian who became a monk near Jerusalem, then became a hermit near Jericho. . . but attracted disciples, formed them into a monastery, and moved further away himself. He continued to draw awed multitudes and converted many people, especially Arabs. Finally the patriarch of Jerusalem consecrated Euthymius bishop to minister to all his converts. Fechin (d. 665) The Irish Fechin was founding abbot of Fore (Fobhar) in Westmeath. He died in the great plague epidemic that ravaged Ireland in the seventh century. Eustochia Calafato (d. 1491) Originally Smerelda Colonna, EC was a Sicilian noble. Legend tells that she was born in a stable, after her pious mother had a vision. Smeralda herself became a Poor Clare against her family's wishes after she had a vision of the crucified Christ; her brothers threatened to burn down the convent, though, so she returned home. Finally she got her way. Her specialties were care for the poor, vigorous penances, and a life of extreme mortification of the flesh. She was canonized in 1988. ********************************************************************** 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