medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (21. August) is the feast day of:
Sidonius Apollinaris (d. c. 482. Sidonius was a native of Lyons, born to a
noble family (one can get a sense of his rank from the fact that his wife's
father was Roman emperor for a few months. Sidonius was active in politics
and public affairs, and in c. 470 was made bishop of Arvernum
(Clermont-Ferrand). He was a good bishop, organizing Clermont's defense
against the Visigoths besides more traditionally pastoral tasks. 24 of
Sidonius' poems have survived, and also 147 letters.
Abraham of Smolensk (d. 1221) Abraham was a native of Smolensk. He became
a monk there and devoted himself to biblical studies and preaching.
Abraham attracted a great following among the laity, but enmity from the
clergy---to the point that he was formally charged with both moral and
theological sins. As a result, Abraham was reprimanded and forced to cease
his preaching for five years, but when the case was reexamined he was
acquitted and made abbot of a small monastery.
Bernard Tolomeo (d. 1348) Bernard (originally Giovanni, but he changed his
name in honor of B. of Clairvaux) was a native of Siena. He wantered to
enter the religious life, but under parental pressure studied philosophy,
law, and theology, and entered imperial service. But then Bernard went
blind, and was miraculously healed by the BVM. So in 1313 Bernard and two
companions became hermits a few miles outside of Siena. He was accused of
heresy, but traveled to Avignon to appeal and was acquitted. Bernard when
went on to found the Congregation of the Blessed Virgin of Mt. Olivet (the
Olivetanians) in 1321.
Geert Groote (d. 1384) Not formally canonized, but certainly one of the
most significant churchmen of the fourteenth century, Geert Groote was a
cathedral preacher in Utrecht and then a Carthusian. With episcopal
license he became a penitential preacher in the southern Netherlands,
apparently making quite an impact with his appeal to simple lay piety. In
1381 he created a circle of like-minded people in Deventer, who lived the
common life without taking formal vows---the first Brethren of the Common
Life. Geert Groote is the father of the devotio moderna. He died of
plague in 1384, contracted while caring for infected friends.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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