medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (29. October) is also the feast day of:
Stephen of Caiazzo (Stefano Minicillo or Menecillo; d. 1023). Stephen was born in the future Macerata di Campania near today's Santa Maria Capua Vetere, came to prominence as an abbot in the archdiocese of Capua (a leading city of the Lombard-ruled principality of Capua-Benevento), and in 979 was named bishop of Caiazzo by Gerbert, archbishop of Capua. His bull of appointment, describing the extent of the diocese and enumerating its holdings, is a document of primary importance in the medieval history of Caiazzo, a hill town overlooking the valley of the Volturno, and of its surrounding territory.
Views of Caiazzo are here:
http://utenti.lycos.it/carnet/caiazzo/cennistorici.htm
http://www.caiazzo.org/org_caiazzo_ita.html
and (IE only; site causes Netscape to hang up) here:
http://www.comune.caiazzo.ce.it/storiacaiazzo.htm
Stephen, from whose lengthy time in office we also have surviving documentation, is credited with miracles in his lifetime and afterwards; in 1284 Caiazzo's cathedral was rededicated to him and his sanctity proclaimed. The principal patron of the town and later of the diocese as well, he lost this latter distinction when in 1986 the diocese of Caiazzo was joined with that of nearby Alife. But the church has now (2003) officially rectified this oversight.
Consequently, Stephen is being celebrated today with considerable pomp and ceremony. As much festivity in fact (according to the distinguished Neapolitan newspaper _Il Mattino_) as occurred in 1996, when his silver reliquary bust
http://utenti.lycos.it/francolaratta/stefano.html
, stolen along with that of another saint in 1989, was returned thanks to the brilliant efforts of the Carabinieri. For those who read Italian, _Il Mattino_'s typically well-written August announcement of the festivities and their background is here:
http://ilmattino.it/hermes/20030827/CASERTA/30/NUNU.htm
Best,
John Dillon
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