medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
If memory serves, the 'traditional' reason for celebrating John's birth in
addition to his death is that a common (patristic?) understanding of the
Lucan comment that 'the babe in her womb leapt with joy' was that John was
cleansed from original sin ('filled with the Holy Spirit') while still in
the womb. Hence, he was born without sin. (As opposed to Mary, who in RC
tradition was conceived without sin.) Perhaps someone can identify sources
for this.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill East" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 3:43 AM
Subject: Re: [M-R] saints of the day 24. June
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> > Today (24. June) is the feast day of:
> >
> > John the Baptist (1st cent.) One of the extremely few saints (in
> > fact, I can't think of any others) commemorated on his birth day
> > instead of his death day (or sometimes day of translatio, or more
> > convenient date determined by later calendar emenders).
>
> He is certainly in very exalted company: the others who come to mind
> are Mary, whose birthday is celebrated on 8th September, and Christ
> himself, whose birthday is celebrated on 25th December.
>
> Of course, the Beheading of John the Baptist is also celebrated on 29th
> August. The reason for celebrating his birth is that it is a
> significant and miraculous event, recorded in the scriptures. Other
> significant and miraculous events in the lives of saints are also
> celebrated, for example the Conversion of Saint Paul, the Visitation of
> Mary, and indeed several other events in the life of Mary.
>
> Bill.
>
> =====
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ___________________________________________________________ALL-NEW Yahoo!
Messenger - sooooo many all-new ways to express yourself
http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
>
> **********************************************************************
> 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
>
**********************************************************************
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
|