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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (5. February) is the feast day of: Agatha (?) There is good evidence of Agatha's early cult, although nothing is known of her historical existence. Her Acta tell that A. was a wealthy (beautiful) young woman, a consecrated virgin. Various versions tell that she was born in either Palermo of Catania. A consul fell in lust with her, and used an imperial edict against Christians to try to have his wicked way with her. Didn't work. So he had her put in a brothel. That didn't work either. Then she was tortured, described in disturbingly sexually-charged accounts that end with hacking off her breasts. Avitus of Vienne (d. c. 525) Avitus a native of the Auvergne. He succeeded his father as bishop of Vienne in 490. A. is known for his successful missionary work among both non-Christians and Arian Christians; he was also famous in his time for his learning and writings. Bertulf (d. c. 705) Bertulf was born to a non-Christian family somewhere in "Germany," but moved to Flanders at a young age. He became a Christian and steward to a count. The count was so impressed by B. that he made him heir to estates at Renty. After the count's death, B. founded a monastery at Renty and retired there himself. B's relics are famous. They were put in an iron casket in Ghent, and for centuries it was believed that when danger threatened, the dead abbot would knock against the side of the shrine in warning. He doesn't do so any more, because the Huguenots scattered his bones in 1578. Adelheid of Vilich (d. c. 1015) Adelheid was the daughter of Count Megengose of Guelder. Dad founded the convents of Vilich on the Rhine and St. Mary's in Cologne. A. served as abbess of both. She made her nuns learn Latin, did a great deal to help the poor, and was regularly consulted by the archbishop of Cologne. Her cult was confirmed in 1966. ********************************************************************** 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