medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (5. December) is the feast day of:
Crispina of Tagora (d. 304) Crispina was a Christian woman of North
Africa, arrested at Tebessa during Diocletian's persecution. Although her
head was shaved in an effort to shame her out of her stubbornness, C.
persisted and was decapitated.
Justinian (Jestin) (6th cent.) According to legend, J. was a noble Breton
who eventually made his way to Wales, settling on Ramsey Island. He sounds
like a delightful character. Ramsey was already occupied by the hermit
Honorius, along with his sister and her maid; J. refused to settle there
until the women were driven away. J. was finally killed by three servants
who resented his orders to work harder; they cut off his head, whereupon
the mandatory holy well sprang up and cured the sick (but not the
murderers, who were stricken with leprosy). J., by the way, picked up his
head and carried it to the place he wanted to be buried.
Sabas of Mar Saba (or of Jerusalem) (d. 532) Sabas was a Basilian monk.
He founded numerous monasteries and hospices in Palestine, including Mar
Saba, where he became abbot. His relics eventually found their way to
Venice, but were returned to Mar Saba in 1965.
Anno II of Cologne (d. 1075) Anno was a Swabian noble, educated at
Bamberg, where he became scholasticus of the cathedral school. Soon he
entered the service of Emperor Henry III, who in 1056 made Anno archbishop
of Cologne. Anno was an extremely active and thorough archbishop, visiting
all parts of his diocese, caring for the poor, building several churches,
and founding the monasteries of Siegburg, Grafschaft, and Saalfeld, which
he confederated with Cluny. Abbo was also active in politics, and was even
regent for the underage Henry IV in 1062-3, after deposing Empress Agnes
from the regency in a coup. In 1074 the citizens of Cologne, tired of
their archbishops authoritarian style, rose and drove Anno out; he retired
to the monastery of Siegburg. Anno was canonized in 1183.
Galgano (d. 1181) Galgano was born near Siena to a noble family. He led a
frivolous life until visited by the archangel Michael, whereupon he became
a hermit at Monte Siepi (Tuscany). After his death, a round church was
built over G's tomb, many pilgrims came, and miracles were reported. A
papal commission began to enquire into his sanctity in 1185, and he was
probably canonized in 1190. That is the year that the Cistercians took
over Monte Siepi; most of G's disciples then left.
Christina of Markyate (d. c. 1161) Not formally canonized. Christina was
born to a wealthy Anglo-Saxon family in Huntingdon (England). She vowed
virginity when she was about fifteen, against her parents' wishes. She was
forced into betrothal and marriage, but the marriage remained unconsumated
and C. escaped with the help of a hermit. C. then became a recluse, and in
1122 her marriage was annulled by the archbishop of York. C. attracted
disciples and Markyate became a convent.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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