medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (26. February) is the feast day of:
Nestor of Perge (d. 251) Nestor was bishop of Magydos (Pamphylia), and
attracted the governor's attention by being a zealous evangelist. So when
the governor decided to curry favor with Emperor Decius by persecuting
Christians, N. was a natural victim. He was crucified.
Alexander of Alexandria (d. 326/8) Alexander was patriarch of Alexandria
from 313 on. He was a supporter of the desert monks and hermits, but is
best known for his ardent opposition to Arianism---he is credited with
drawing up the acts of the Council of Nicaea that condemned them.
Porphyry of Gaza (d. c. 420) Porphyry spent some years as a monk first in
Egypt and then in the Jordan valley, after which he went on to Jerusalem
and worked as a shoemaker. He won such a reputation for piety that at the
age of 40 he was ordained a priest, and in 396 bishop of Gaza---a city not
yet converted to Christianity. P. got imperial permission to destroy his
unwilling flock's cult statues and temples, whereupon his house was looted
and he was nearly lynched. Porphyry gradually enjoyed considerable success
in his missionary efforts.
Isabelle of France (blessed) (d. 1270) Isabelle was a sister of St. Louis,
daughter of King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. She refused several
offers of marriage, preferring a life of virginity. After her mother died,
I. founded a Franciscan convent near Paris, and spent the rest of her life
doing good works, although she never actually became a Poor Clare (although
she is depicted thus in art).
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
|