medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (27. December) is the feast day of:
John (d. c. 100/101; or, according to an alternative tradition, he never
died at all) John, traditionally accepted as the author of the fourth
gospel, the epistle of John, and the book of Revelation, was "the apostle
whom Christ loved." Especially John's gospel reports his great closeness
to Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee, and brother of James the Greater.
After the resurrection, John worked in the communities of Jerusalem and
Samaria, and took over leadership of the church of Ephesus after the
Jewish/Roman war (69/70). He was banished to the island of Patmos in the
reign of Domitian, where he is supposed to have experienced his revelation
of the apocalypse. After Domitian's death, John returned to Ephesus. He
is often shown in art holding a chalice with a snake coming out, because
according to legend he was given poison, which he successfully drank to
show the strength of Christianity. Legend also reports that Domitian tried
and failed to boil the apostle in oil.
Fabiola (d. 399 or 400) Fabiola lived in Rome in the mid fourth century.
She was divorced after an unhappy marriage and wed a second time, causing
scandal. After her second husband died, Fabiola publicly repented and
devoted herself to charitable activities. These included the foundation of
a hospital on her property, the first of its sort in the West. In 395 she
journeyed to the Holy Land, where she met Jerome, who influenced her
strongly.
Theodoros Graptos (d. 842 or 844) Theodore was a Syrian, born in c. 775.
He and his brother lived for some years at the monastery of Mar Saba near
Jerusalem, and latr in Constantinople. Because of his stand against
iconoclasm, Theodoros was arrested and tortured several times, and banished
for a long time. (His nickname "graptos," "the marked one" comes from the
fact that his torturers burned his face.) He died in exile.
Balderich of Utrecht (d. 976) Balderich, born in c. 900, became bishop of
Utrecht in the mid-tenth century. He was largely responsible for
rebuilding the city and the diocese after its injuries from viking raids.
Balderich was also a highly educated man, the teacher of Bruno of Cologne.
Christina Ebner (d. 1356) Not formally canonized, Christina is a notable
mystic. She was born in 1277 in Nurnberg, and at the age of twelve entered
a Dominican convent, becoming prioress in 1345. She had countless visions
during her life, and committed many to writing. She was highly honored in
her lifetime, and many people came to her for advice.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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