medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
A chorbishop (from Greek chora, meaning country, and episkopos) is a
member of the clergy who is delegated by a bishop of a city to provide
pastoral care for the people in the surrounding countryside. Unlike
suffragan bishops, fully ordained bishops under the authority of a
metropolitan/archbishop, chorbishops did not have full episcopal
authority, e.g., they could not ordain priests. As far as I know there
are no longer chorbishops in the Catholic Church; a modern analogy might
be auxiliary bishops. In fact, Modestus seems to be a rather late
example of a chorbishop, because in western Europe they were phased out
in the eighth or ninth century. I believe that some eastern orthodox
churches still use chorbishops.
John D. Beetham
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John B. Wickstrom wrote:
>medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
>Modestus of Carinthia (d. 772) Bishop Virgil of Salzburg sent Modestus as
>a missionary to Carinthia (south Austria). He was consecrated as a
>chorbischof (? I don't know how to translate this; suffragan bishop?)
>
>Yes, suffragan. I _think_ in origin it is a Greek term.
>
>John B. Wickstrom
>Kalamazoo College
>mailto:[log in to unmask]
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Phyllis Jestice
>Sent: Monday, February 04, 2002 8:35 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [M-R] saints of the day 5. February
>
>
>medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
>Today (5. February) is the feast day of:
>
>Agatha (d. c. 250?) Agatha was a young Christian woman, martyred in
>Catania (Sicily). A very strong cult developed at a very early age;
>already by c. 500 a church in Rome was dedicated to Agatha. The legend of
>Agatha tells that the governor of Catania wanted to marry her, but she
>refused on the grounds that she was already promised to Christ. The
>rejected suitor had Agatha put into a whorehouse---but nobody robbed her of
>her virginity. So she was thrown into prison, where her tortures included
>chopping off her breasts. Agatha miraculously healed overnight, whereupon
>she was tortured to death. A year later, Mt. Etna erupted and sent a
>stream of lava into Catania---but the inhabitants stopped the lava in its
>tracks by bringing out Agatha's veil. Agatha's veil is still honored as a
>precious relic in Catania. And in light of the legend, it isn't surprising
>that Agatha is invoked against the dangers of fire.
>
>Ingenuin of Saben (Sabiona) (d. c. 605) Ingenuin was the first bishop of
>Saben in Sudtirol about whom we have certain evidence. According to
>legend, he was driven from his see by the Arian Lombards, but later
>mediated peace between the Lombards and the Franks.
>
>Indractus (d. c. 700?) The legend of Indractus tells that he was an Irish
>prince who undertook a pilgrimage to Rome. On his return journey he was
>killed by pagan Saxons near Glastonbury, along with his sister and other
>Christians.
>
>Modestus of Carinthia (d. 772) Bishop Virgil of Salzburg sent Modestus as
>a missionary to Carinthia (south Austria). He was consecrated as a
>chorbischof (? I don't know how to translate this; suffragan bishop?) and
>established a center at Virunum that gradually developed into Maria Saal.
>For two decades Modestus and companions evangelized the area, winning it
>for a second time to Christianity.
>
>Albuin of Saben-Brixen (d. 1005 or 1006) Albuin, born in c. 930, became
>bishop of Saben in 975. He transferred his center in 990 to the nearby
>Brixen. He was a friend of several kings and emperors, from whom he won
>impressive gifts for his church. Since the 13th cent. Albuin has been
>venerated as the third patron of the diocese of Brixen, along with Ingenuin
>and Hartmann.
>
>Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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>
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