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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (25. December) is the feast day of: The Nativity, as hallowed by tradition. Anastasia (d. c. 304) Legend tells that Anastasia was a Roman noblewoman who went to Aquileia to help the Christians in prison there during the great persecution. The story is apparently apocryphal and A. wasn't a native of Rome. Her cult started at Sirmium in Pannonia, and she may have been martyred there. Eugenia (?) Eugenia was a virgin martyr of Rome. A basilica was built in her honor and restored in the eighth century. According to legend, E. was a woman who disguised herself as a monk and lived undetected in a monastery. A woman made advances to "him," was rejected, and cried rape in revenge. The governor (somehow the story was transferred to Alexandria) condemned all the monks of the community to death---until E. revealed that he was really a she. The monastery was spared and the lying woman was struck by lightning. Peter the Venerable (blessed) (d. 1156) Pierre de Montboissier was born in the Auvergne. He became abbot of Cluny in 1122. As abbot, he made good the damage done by his predecessor Pontius, encouraged study (and wrote himself), had the Qur'an translated, and in general seems to have been a good guy, as when he championed Peter Abelard. Peter Nolasco (d. 1256 or 1258) Peter was apparently born in the Languedoc. He became deeply concerned in ransoming prisoners in the hands of the Muslims and in time founded the Mercedarian order to further the work. Jacopone of Todi (blessed) (d. c. 1306) Jacopone lived a thoroughly sensual life until his marriage at the age of 37 or 38 to a very pious woman. She was killed in an accident after only a year and J. went mad with grief. He started practicing extreme penances and eventually became a Franciscan, joining the spiritual party. He was one of three Franciscans who declared that Boniface VIII had been invalidly elected---for which he was imprisoned in chains for five years. He is known for his lyrical poems and most notably for the hymn Stabat Mater dolorosa. ********************************************************************** 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