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Today, 23 April, is the feast of ... Felix, Fortunatus and Achilleus, martyrs (212) George, martyr, protector of the kingdom of England (303): Throughout Europe in the later middle ages the *Legenda Aurea* rendition of the story of St George was the best known. William Caxton translated the work. In this translation St George's encounter with the halitosisian dragon is related: One day St George came upon a city near a marshy swamp. In the swamp lived a dragon which envenomed all the country. The people had mustered together to kill it, but the dragon's breath was so bad that all the people ran away. To prevent the dragon coming closer to the city they fed it two sheep each day (I hope they included mint, it's good for bad breath and it goes well with mutton!). But when the people no longer had any sheep, they had no choice but to feed the dragon a human being. The victim was selected by lot, and the lot had fallen on the king's daughter. No one was willing to take her place, and the maiden had gone forth dressed as a bride to meet her doom. Then St George rode into town. Coming upon the princess making her way toward the beast, he attacked the dragon and impaled it on his lance. Ibar, bishop of Beggery (fifth century): Ibar is best known for his association with the island of Beg-Eire (Beggery), where he had a famous monastic school. Gerard, bishop of Toul (994): Gerard pursued the policy of his predecessor St Gauzlin in endeavouring to make Toul a centre of learning. To this end he invited Greek and Irish monks to settle in his diocese. Adalbert, bishop of Prague, martyr (997): Was wont to say: "It is easy to wear a mitre and carry a crosier, but it is a terrible thing to have to give account of a bishopric to the Judge of the living and the dead." With his two companions, Benedict and Gaudentius, he made some converts in Danzig, but met with great opposition since these preachers were regarded by many as spies. But they refused to abandon their preaching mission and were martyred. Giles of Assisi, companion of Francis of Assisi (1262): Though unlearned and simple, Giles was endowed with an infused wisdom which led many to seek him out for spiritual consultation. Experience soon taught those who sought his advice to avoid certain topics or words, the very mention of which sent the friar into an ecstasy. Even the street urchins knew this, and whenever they caught sight of Giles they would shout "Paradise! Paradise" and await the desired reaction. Helen of Udine, tertiary of the Hermits of St Augustine (1458): Helen was happily married for twenty-five years and the mother of several children. After her husband's death, in her fortieth year she decided to become a tertiary of the Hermits of St Augustine. Helen took a vow of perpetual silence, which she observed all year round except on Christmas night. (However, her vow of silence was not extended to her household which included her servants and sister.) Udine was terrified of loud noises and was beset by the temptation to commit suicide. She appears to have been endowed with the gift of healing. ************************************** Carolyn Muessig Department of Theology of Religious Studies University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TB [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%