medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (25. February) is the feast day of:
Victorinus and companions (d. 284) A group of Christian citizens of
Corinth, caught up in the Decian persecution. They were tortured and
then exiled. Unfortunately, it was hard to get anywhere where they'd
be safe from persecution. The group chose Egypt for refuge---and
were arrested as Christians, tortured some more, and executed at
Diospolis.
Caesarius Nazianzen (d. 369) Caesarius was a brother of the more
famous Gregory of Nazianzen. C. became a famous physician and even
became personal doctor to Julian the Apostate. Julian tried to
convince C. to come to his senses on the matter of religion; C.
rebuffed the emperor and resigned. C. later served as physician to
Emperor Jovian and treasurer to Emperor Valens. He was finally
baptized in 368, after almost getting killed in an earthquake. When
he died, he left his fortune to the poor. I'm not quite sure why
he's a saint. I plan to give my wealth (what there is of it) to the
poor after I die, but rather doubt anyone will try to canonize
me---where's the self-denial in giving it away when you're dead?
Ethelbert of Kent (d. 616) Ethelbert was the first great patron of
Christianity in the southern half of Anglo-Saxon England. He became
king of Kent in c. 560. He permitted Augustine of Canterbury to
preach, and was baptized himself in 597. E. didn't try to foist
Christianity on his subjects, but encouraged missionaries. E ruled
for an astonishingly long (for an Anglo-Saxon) time: 56 years. So he
had time to make a big impact.
Walburga (d. 779) Dear, I'm writing this on the eve of
Walpurgisnacht and didn't realize it, so I didn't plan a party.
Walburga was a West Saxon who went to Germany to help with St.
Boniface's missionary activities. She served as abbess of both
Heidenheim and Bischofsheim. And I confess that I don't know why
witches' sabbats are especially associated with the vigil of W's
feast.
Tarasius (d. 806) Tarasius became patriarch of Constantinople in
784. When holy images were again permitted, T. was very active in
restoring them to his see, living a very pious life and being
charitable at the same time.
Gerland (d. c. 1100) Gerland was a native of Besancon. He was
related to the Norman rulers of southern Italy/Sicily, and they gave
G. an important ecclesiastical role. G. didn't like it and went off
to be a hermit. But he was forced later to accept the bishopric of
Agrigento, and spent the rest of his life restoring the see.
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