medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (23. September) is the feast day of:
Linus (d. c. 80) Linus' feast was suppressed in 1969. Early lists name
Linus the bishop of Rome after St. Peter. Irenaeus identifies him with the
Linus mentioned in 2 Tim. 4:21, but other than that nothing seems to be
known of him. In the West, Linus was venerated as a martyr, but modern
spoilsports have pointed out that there was no known persecution during his
time in office---the reason for the suppression of his feast.
Thecla (1st cent.) Thecla's cult was also suppressed in 1969, but was
quite popular in both East and West for centuries. Even if she did indeed
exist, her Acts owe much more to romance than to history. The story is
that Paul converted Thecla and led her to vow virginity. Her irate parents
and magistrates had Paul beaten and kicked out of Iconium for breaking up
not only Thecla's betrothal, but other betrothals and even completed
marriages. Thecla was sentenced to be burned, but a storm put out the
fire; beasts refused to eat her (after she had baptized herself in a
ditch); and she then escaped to Paul dressed as a man. Paul commissioned
Thecla to preach, but instead she went and lived in a cave for 72 years,
becoming a famous miracle worker in the process. She met her end when men
came to kill (or rape) her, and she prayed for deliverance; the rocks
opened and she vanished for good.
Adomnan (d. 704) Adomnan was an Irish monk who moved to the monastery of
Iona, where he eventually became abbot. During his life, Adomnan was
probably most famous for his espousal of Roman practices (most notably in
the calculation of Easter), and his posthumous cult doubtless flourished
because of his personal reputation as a holy man. But he is best known
today for his Life of Columcille.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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