medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (30. August) is the feast day of:
Boniface and Thecla (d. c. 250) B and T were martyred---along with their
12 children---at Hadrumetum (Africa) during the Decian persecution.
Felix and Adauctus (d. c. 304) F and A are among the best-attested Roman
martyrs. Felix was a priest who was martyred at the beginning of
Diocletian's persecution. On his way to execution, a stranger voluntarily
joined him, confessing that he was a Christian and also executed. Nobody
knew the stranger's name, so in accounts of the martyrdom he was called
Adauctus---"the one added."
Pammachius the Senator (d. 410) The scholarly aristocrat Pammachius was
noted for charitable works and his opposition to several heretical and
schismatic groups. When his wife died, Pammacius provided a banquet for
all the poor of the city of Rome. Then he spent the rest of his life in
study, prayer, and charitable works. Among his notable acts are the
construction of the first pilgrim hostel in the west (in Rome) and the
conversion of his family mansion into a church.
Agilus of Rebais (d. 650) Agilus was a Frankish noble. His parents made
him a monk at Luxeuil at the advice of Columbanus. Agilus later acted as
intermediary between the Frankish court and Columbanus. Later he spent
time as a missionary in Bavaria, then became abbot of Rebais (near Paris).
Fiacre (d. c. 670) Fiacre was an Irishman who traveled to the Continent
and became a hermit at Breuil. His cult flourished in France, especially a
patron of gardeners (legend reports that he supported visitors with the
produce of his garden). Oddly, he is also a patron of those who suffer
from venereal diseases; it is not clear whether this is a development of
legendary reports that Fiacre was a misogynist or vice versa.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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