medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (23. May) is the feast day of:
Montanus and Lucius (d. 259) Carthaginian martyrs. Their death is
recorded in a contemporary letter from other imprisoned Christians. M. and
L's suffering helps put the more famous martyrdom of Perpetua and co. into
context. Like Perpetua, the two are said to have had visions that express
very third-century attitudes toward sin and martyrdom. When they were
finally executed, Montanus used the occasion to attack non-Christians,
apostates, and heretics.
Desiderius of Langres (d. c. 407) This bishop of Langres lived at a rather
rough time---right after the Germans overran Rome's Rhine frontier. He and
his clergy went out of the city to try to mediate good treatment for his
people, whereupon the Germans killed him.
Desiderius of Vienne (d. 608) This Desiderius didn't have much more luck.
He was a pious and reform-minded bishop of Vienne at a time when the
Merovingian court was particularly immoral. He reproached the courtiers
and Queen Brunhildis---and was exiled. On his return, he reproached King
Thierry II---and was exiled. On his return, he attacked the kings morals
again. D. was then arrested, and killed by soldiers before he could be
sent into exile a third time.
William of Rochester (aka Wm. of Perth) (d. 1201) William was a fisherman
of Perth. As a young man he underwent a conversion, after which he cared
for orphans and the poor. In 1201 he decided to go on pilgrimage to the
Holy Land. He chose a traveling companion----so poorly that the rotter
murdered William when they reached Rochester. William's body was found by
a madwoman, who was cured of her madness; other miracles soon folowed.
There was some sort of papal approval for the cult in 1256.
Alexander Nevski (d. 1263) Alexander Nevski was a prince of Novgorod and
protector of his country against both Mongols and invading Catholics
(Swedes and Teutonic Knights). He was canonized in 1381 by the Russian
Orthodox Church. In the last century, the cult of Alexander became a
symbol of Russian resistance to German invasion.
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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