medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (7. September) is the feast day of:
The theme of the day seems to be martyrs deliberately provoking the
authorities during the Great Persecution
John of Nicomedia (d. 303) John was a high-ranking citizen of Nicomedia.
When the imerial edict of persecution was delivered to Nicomedia, he
immediately and publicly ripped it up. He was then tried under its
provisions and executed.
Anastasius the Fuller (d. 304) A native of Aquileia, Anastasius moved to
Salona (Dalmatia). When persecution began, he painted a cross on his door
to proclaim his belief. He was seized and drowned.
Sozon of Cilicia (d. c. 304) Sozon was a shepherd. After a vision, he
left his flock, went to the nearby town of Pompeiopolis, and there broke a
hand off the golden cult statue in the temple (he broke it up and gave it
to the poor). His guilt was not immediately discovered, but when others
were falsely accused he came forward and confessed his deed. After his
trial, Sozon was taken to the amphitheater, forced to walk there with nails
driven through the soles of his shoes, and then burned.
Regina of Autun (d. c. 251 or 286) A late legend, copied from other
sources, reports that Regina's father was a prominent pagan; her mother
died giving birth to R. R's nurse had the infant baptized, which so
outraged dad that he repudiated his daughter. So Regina went to live with
the nurse, and in time became a shepherdess. But the local prefect fell in
love with Regina and wanted to marry her---upon which her father decided to
recognize her again. But Regina refused. She was imprisoned (with father
as chief jailer) under harsh conditions. When that didn't change her mind,
she was tortured in a variety of ingenious ways, but each night she was
miraculously healed. Finally she was crucified, but when even that didn't
work she was beheaded.
Cloud (Clodoald) of Nogent (d. c. 560) The Frank Cloud was a grandson of
Clovis and Clotilde. When an uncle killed his brothers, the child Cloud
escaped, disclaiming his share of the throne by cutting his royally long
hair with his own hands. He became a monk, studied with a hermit, and
became noted for his holy life. After some years as a priest in Paris, he
then became the founding abbot of the monastery of Nogent, all before dying
at the age of 36.
Eustace of Flay (d. 1211) Not formally canonized, but honored especially
by the Cistercians. Eustace was a priest in the diocese of Beauvais before
becoming a Cistercian monk at Flay (later known as St-Germer). He served
as apostolic legate both in England and against the Cathars.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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