medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (1. February) is the feast day of:
Cecilius (3rd cent.?) Cecilius was the first bishop of Granada. Spanish
legend claimed that he was one of seven disciples of James the Greater, all
of whom were supposedly consecrated by Peter to be bishops in Spain. Yet
another case of medieval wishful thinking, apparently.
Pionius and companions (d. 251) Pionius was a priest of Smyrna. He and 15
companions were arrested during a liturgical celebration of St. Polycarp's
martyrdom, were tortured, and eventually burned at the stake.
Severus of Ravenna (d. c. 348) Severus was a poor weaver of Ravenna.
Legend reports that when the bishop died in 283, Severus went to the
cathedral to see the election of the new bishop, despite his wife's
mockery. While he was standing in the back of a church, a white dove
appeared, fluttered around him, and settled on his shoulder---upon which
sign S. was elected bishop, much to his wife's surprise. He proceeded to
serve in all properly holy ways for a very long time. Before his death, he
ordered the tomb of his wife and daughter opened and climbed in, lay down
beside them, and died.
Brigid of Kildare (d. c. 525) Brigid is the subject of one of the earliest
Irish saints' lives, but the seventh-century vita gives little biographical
information. She seems to have been born to humble parents near Kildare,
was perhaps baptized by Patrick, and became a nun at an early age (legend
reports that when she became a nun the presiding bishop "accidentally" read
the service for consecrating a bishop over her, which perhaps explains why
the abbesses of Kildare enjoyed some episcopal honors until the
twelfth-century reforms---although the later growth of a large monastic
network based on Kildare perhaps explains it better). She founded the
monastery of Kildare, which was perhaps the earliest monastic community in
Ireland. Then again, some argue that Brigid the nun never existed, but is
a scaling down of a Celtic deity to almost human proportions. More argue
that both are true: there was a historic Brigid, and pre-Christian stories
and beliefs got tacked on to her cult.
John of the Grating (d. c. 1170) John got his nickname from the metal
cover needed to protect his grave. He was a Breton who entered Clairvaux
under Bernard. In time, John was sent back to Brittany, where he founded
two monasteries before becoming bishop of Aleth (he moved the see to
Saint-Malo).
Reginald of Saint-Gilles (d. 1220) (blessed) Reginald was educated at
Paris, and taught canon law for several years. While on a pilgrimage to
Rome, however, he met Dominic and joined the Order of Preachers. Almost
immediately, though, R. fell so ill his life was despaired of---until
Dominic prayed for him, and the Virgin Mary appeared and miraculously cured
him. There proceeded a short but brilliant career as a preacher, until R.
died at about the age of 37 in the Holy Land.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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