medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (10. March) is the feast day of:
Agape of Antioch (d. c. 250) According to legend, Agape somehow made it
from Syria and was martyred in c. 250 in Spain with the Bithynian martyrs.
Other sources suggest that it was only Agape's relics that ever reached
Spain.
40 Armenian Martyrs (d. 320) Emperor Licinius ordered all his troops to
make the proper sacrifices, but 40 Christian soldiers refused. Licinius
made them strip and lie on a frozen lake in the vicinity, at the same time
setting up a large hot bath on the shore to tempt them to obedience (a nice
touch!). One soldier did indeed give in and jumped in the bath---the
sudden change in temperature killed him. But a new soldier, impressed by
the steadfastness of the 39, voluntarily stripped and joined them, bringing
the number up to 40 again.
Makarios I of Jerusalem (d. c. 334) Makarios became bishop of Jerusalem in
314 and served until his death. According to one legend, it is he who
discovered Jesus' tomb. Constantine the Great is supposed to have put
Makarios in charge of building teh church of the Holy Sepulcher. Makarios
is also supposed to have been an active opponent of heresy.
Anastasia (6th cent.) Perhaps completely legendary, but a nice story.
Anastasia was a native of Constantinople. Emperor Justinian fell in love
with her, but she had to flee the wrath of Empress Theodora. Anastasia
joined a convent near Alexandria. When Theodora died, however, Justinian
began to search for A. A. then fled again, to a monastery in Scythia where
she lived disguised as a man for the last 28 years of her life.
Kessog (6th cent.) Kessog, born in Cashel (Ireland), is credited with
working miracles already as a child. He became a missionary in Scotland,
where according to tradition he became a bishop. One tradition reports
that Kessog was martyred.
Attala of Bobbio (d. 627) Attala was a friend and companion of St.
Columbanus. Although he was supposed to be C's successor at Luxeuil,
Attala instead followed his friend to Bobbio. There, after Columbanus'
death in 615, Attala became abbot.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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