medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (14. October) is the feast day of:
Calixtus I (d. 222) Calixtus was pope 217-222, during the first Christian
schism. He was born in Rome in the last third of the second century. At
first the slave of a Christian, Calixtus became a deacon in the service of
Pope Zephyrinus. Upon Zephyrinus' death, both Calixtus and Hippolytus were
elected to succeed him. Calixtus eventually made good his claim and became
a strong opponent of false doctrines. A later legend reports that Calixtus
died as a martyr---thrown into a river with a rock tied around his neck.
Fortunata of Caesarea (d. c. 300) Fortunata's relics have been in Naples
since the eighth century, where she is still honored. According to
tradition, Fortunata was a young girl who was martyred in Caesarea during
Diocletian's persecution.
Gaudentius of Rimini (d. 360(?)) Gaudentius was the first bishop of
Rimini, either at the end of the third century or from 346. He is supposed
to have suffered much from attacks by the Arians, who eventually murdered
him.
Justus of Lyons (d. c. 390) Justus became bishop of Lyons in 350.
According to tradition, he gave up his office after more than thirty years'
service because he had failed to protect a criminal from lynching. After
abdicating, Justus became a hermit in the Egyptian desert until his death.
His relics were returned to Lyons in the fifth century.
Fortunatus of Todi (d. 537) Fortunatus was bishop of Todi in Umbria. He
saved his city from attacking Goths. His relics can still be found in the
cathedral of Todi, and he is the patron saint both of Todi and of the
bishopric of Siena.
Domenicus Loricatus (d. 1061) Domenicus was born in Umbria in 995. He
became a priest after his father arranged the ordination by bribery.
Domenicus decided to spend the rest of his life in penance for this act of
simony, wearing an iron breastplate (or chain mail?) next to his skin for
many years---thus his nickname "loricatus." Domenicus was at first a
hermit, but later joined Peter Damian's monastery of Fonte Avellana.
Hildegundis of Munchaurach (d. c. 1110) (not formally canonized, but
interesting) Hildegundis was a Bavarian. She vowed perpetual virginity as
a child. Despite this, her father commanded her to marry, upon which she
died on her marriage day. Her relative Count Goswin founded the monastery
of Munchaurach on the land Hildegundis would have inherited, and had her
remains reburied there.
Alanus of Auxerre (blessed) (d. 1185) Alanus was bon in c. 1110 in
Flanders. In 1131 he entered the monastery of Clairvaux, where he became a
confidant of St. Bernard. In 1140 Alanus was made abbot of the monastery
of Larrivour. In 1152 he became bishop of Auxerre, but in 1167 abdicated
and returned to Larrivour. He died at Clairvaux in 1185.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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