medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (26. November) is the feast day of:
Peter Martyr of Alexandria (d. 311) Peter was a confessor during the
Decian persecution, and then went on to win a great reputation for his
learning and especially knowledge of scripture. He became patriarch of
Alexandria in 300, and in that position combatted Arianism and Origenism.
When the Great Persecution broke out, he ruled his diocese from hiding, but
was condemned by many for his leniency toward lapsed Christians---provoking
a schism in the Alexandrian church. During a lull in persecution Peter
returned to the city, where he was then arrested and executed---the last
martyr of Alexandria--along with three priests.
Marcellus of Nicomedia (d. 349) Marcellus was a priest of Nicomedia,
seized by Arians and thrown off a cliff.
Conrad of Constance (d. 975) Conrad was a member of the Guelf family,
educated at Constance and holding a variety of ecclesiastical offices there
before being named bishop of Constance in 934. At that time he gave his
inheritance to the Church and the poor. Conrad occupied himself during his
long episcopate with rebuilding the churches of his diocese, making three
pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and avoiding involvement in secular affairs
in a way astonishing for a tenth-century German bishop.
Nikon Metanoite (d. 998) Nikon was born in Pontus (Armenia). As a youth
he ran away from his wealth family to join a monastery, where he spent 12
years in penance and prayer. His superiors then sent him out as a
missionary, first to Armenia, then to Muslim Crete and Greece. The theme
of all his preaching was penance, which won him the nickname Metanoite
(from "metanoia"---change of heart).
Bellinus of Padua (d. 1151) Bellinus was a dutiful bishop of Padua (I
can't find any details), murdered while performing the work of his office.
He was canonized by Eugenius IV.
James Benfatti (blessed) (d. 1338) James was born in Mantua, and became a
Dominican in c. 1290. He was a master of theology, and attracted the
attention of the future Benedict XI, following him to Rome when he became a
cardinal and spending many years in papal service. James became bishop of
Mantua in 1320, where he won the nickname "father of the poor." Besides
rebuilding the cathedral, he apparently worked many miracles. During
construction work 150 years after his death, James' tomb was accidentally
opened and his body found to be incorrupt, as it was in 1604.
Delphine of Provence (d. 1360) Delphine was of royal blood. She decided
at the age of 10 to remain in virginity, but her family made her mary
Elzear de Sabran for political reasons. The pair ended up making a vow of
chastity. Elzear died in 1323, and Delphine, under the influence of the
outlawed Spiritual Franciscans, gave away most of her wealth and after a
few years took a personal vow of poverty. She formed a Franciscan tertiary
community in Provence in 1343. Delphine herself was credited with gifts of
healing and supernatural knowledge, especially in exegesis. A canonization
process was begun for Delphine in 1363, but wasn't finally approved until
1694 (more than 300 years after her husband Elzear was canonized).
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
[log in to unmask]
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|