medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (28. November) is the feast day of:
Stephen the Younger (d. 764) Stephen was a native of Constantinople
who, when his father died, gave his inheritance to the poor and
became a monk. He served as abbot, but resigned to become a hermit.
There he would have remained if he hadn't spoken out against imperial
iconoclast policy. He was banished to a small island for two years,
then brought back to see if the fresh air had taught him any sense.
But Stephen venerated icons as much as ever, so he was flogged,
dragged through the streets, and killed.
Simeon Metaphrastes (d. c. 1000) Simeon was probably Constantine VII
Porphyrogenitus' secretary of state. At imperial order he compiled a
collection of legends and stories of saints, a collection comparable
to the Golden Legend in the West. He also wrote a chronicle,
prayers, lettres, and a collection of maxims.
James Gangala (d. 1476) James was born in Ancona, studied law, and
became a Franciscan. He was a very effective preacher, working as a
"missionary" in Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Poland, and Hungary. He and
his partner, St. John of Capistrano, then were named inquisitors and
suppressed the Fraticelli with a great deal of vigor. Later James
was sent to try to fight Hussites, but failed. Finally, in 1462 J.
himself fell on the foul side of the Inquisition; this was a
sensational case, but silence was imposed on all parties and no
decision was ever made. J. was canonized in 1726.
A modern saint: Catherine Laboure (d. 1876) Catherine (originally
named Zoe) was the daughter of French farmers. She joined the
Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1830 and soon started
having visions of the Virgin Mary, in which the V.M. asked her to
strike a medal honoring the immaculate conception. This was the
beginning of millions of what came to be known as the "Miraculous
Medals," which became popular all over the world. She was canonized
in 1947.
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