medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (25. November) is the feast day of:
Katherine of Alexandria (d. c. 313?) Katherine may be a purely legendary
figure, and in 1969 was removed from the general Catholic calendar. She
remains a very popular saint, however. The cult rests upon a passio that
seems to have originated in the sixth or seventh century. According to
legend, Katherine was the daughter of King Costus of Alexandria at the
beginning of the fourth century. Katherine was raised as a pagan, but one
day met an aged hermit who explained to the beautiful girl that her true
bridegroom was Jesus. She secretly converted to Christianity, and soon
after refused to join in the public offerings to the gods of the state.
The emperor brought 50 of the best philosophers of the land to court, to
convince Katherine of the errors of her ways---she exposed their false
reasoning, and they all converted to Christianity. The angry emperor had
all 50 philosophers burned to death, and threw Katherine in prison,
torturing her (among other ways, by tying her to a wheel---which God made
fall apart). After trying every other torture they could think of,
Katherine was beheaded.
Merkurios (d. c. 360?) Merkurios is one of the most important saintly
soldiers of the eastern church, although it is likely that he is a purely
legendary figure. His cult already existed in the sixth century. One of
the many legends of Merkurios reports that he was killed in Caesarea
(Cappadocia) at the orders of Julian the Apostate.
Bessarion (d. 429) Bessarion was an Egyptian monk. He was famed as a
miracle worker. Bessarion also founded a monastery on Mt. Sion and a
hospice in Jerusalem.
Mesrob (d. 440) Mesrob "the teacher," as he was known, is one of the most
notable saints of Armenia. He was born in c. 350/360 in the Armenian
province of Taron. He became a monk and, with a companion, developed
Armenian writing. Mesrob also translated the New Testament into Armenian,
and is credited as the founder and organizer of the Armenian Church.
Livarius (d. 451) Legend reports that Livarius was a cavalry soldier who,
during the defense of the city of Metz from the Huns, was killed for his
Christian faith. His martyrdom, however, might have fallen during the
Magyar incursions of the ninth and tenth centuries. His cult was certainly
active by c. 970, when Archbishop Theoderich of Metz moved Livarius'
relics.
Elisabeth of Reute (blessed) (d. 1420) Elisabeth, known as "the good
Beth," was born in 1386 in Wurttemberg. From childhood on, she venerated
the suffering of jesus. In c. 1403 she became a Franciscan tertiary,
leading a monastic life for several years in her parents' house, then
becoming a recluse in reute. Elisabeth was a noted mystic, lived without
eating, and received the stigmata. She died on her 34th birthday..
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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