medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (7. December) is the feast day of:
Sabinus of Spoleto (d. 303) The cities of Ravenna, Arezzo, Assisi,
Spoleto, Faenza, and Chiusi all claim Sabinus as their bishop---in other
words, we know that he was a bishop, but not what his see was. In the
Middle Ages Sabinus was one of the most venerated saints of central Italy,
churches dedicated to him as early as the mid-sixth century. According to
tradition, Sabinus was martyred in Spoleto in 303, along with two deacons
(Exuperantius and Marcellus).
Ambrose of Milan (d. 397) Ambrose is one of the four Latin fathers of the
church. He was born sometime around 339 in Trier, the son of the prefect
of Gaul. He was raised as a Christian. After his father's early death,
the family went to Rome, where Ambrose received an excellent education and
entered imperial service. He was governor of Milan when, unexpectedly, he
was elected as bishop by popular acclaim, although he was still a
catechumen at the time. A few days before his consecration as bishop,
Ambrose was baptized---on 7. December 374, which is his usual feast day.
He was a prolific author and preacher (the first to use the term "mass" to
describe the eucharistic celebration, by the way), and also noted in
pastoral care.
Anianus of Chartres (1st half 5th cent.) Anianus was the fifth bishop of
Chartres. There is evidence of his veneration from the tenth century on.
A church was built over his tomb that later burned down twice without
destroying Anianus' relics in the process. (This seems to be a Chartres
specialty---relics miraculously preserved in fire. At least the only other
case I've heard of is the Virgin's Robe of Chartres cathedral. Does anyone
know if this is a common topos?)
Fara (Burgundofara) (d. 655/657 (or 675)) Fara was born in Burgundy in
595. As a child she met Columbanus, who blessed her. This incident made a
strong impression on Fara, who decided to become a nun. Against her
father's initial resistance she constructed a nunnery on family property at
Evoriacum near Meaux. First the community lived according to Columbanus'
rule, but later became Benedictine. Fara was abbess for nearly 40 years
and instructed many nuns who were later regarded as saints. The nunnery
came to be known as Faremoutiers after Fara shortly after her death.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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