medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (14. February) is the feast day of:
Valentine(s) (d. c. 270) Two saints, who may be the same person, are
commemorated today: one was a Roman priest and physician, the other a
bishop of Terni. Both were martyred. And neither had anything to do
with lovers. There was a medieval belief that birds find their mates
on this day, and by a pious fiction the custom of making exchanges
with lovers was explained by making Valentine a saint of lovers.
Abraham (d. c. 345) Abraham was bishop of Arbela (Assyria), martyred
during the persecution of Sapur II.
Maro (d. 433) Maro lived as a hermit near Cyrrhus (Syria). He
trained many hermits and monks and founded three monasteries. The
Maronites apparently take their name from the monastery of
Bait-Marun, erected over M's tomb.
Antoninus of Sorrento (d. 830) Antoninus was a southern Italian who
became a monk and became a hermit on Monte Angelo near Castellamare
(near Sorrento) along with the bishop of Castellamare, St. Catellus.
One or the other had a vision of St. Michael and they built an
oratory. Catellus was charged with neglect of his episcopal duties,
but A. stayed and made the place a pilgrimage center. Eventually he
went to Sorrento and became abbot of St. Agrippinus there.
Cyril and Methodius (d. 869, 884) The brothers Cyril and Methodius
were the apostles of the Slavs. Emperor Michael III sent them to
convert the Khazars, and then sent them on a mission to Moravia.
They were very successful, especially since they could speak Slavic.
They invented an alphabet and translated liturgical books into
Slavonic. Cyril died on a visit to Rome; Methodius returned to the
mission field as a bishop. Their task was greatly hindered by German
opposition, the Germans deeply resenting eastern intrusion in *their*
sphere of influence.
Adolf of Osnabruck (d. 1224) Adolf was a noble Westphalian who
became a canon at Cologne, but left to become a Cistercian. He was
elected bishop of Osnabruck in 1216 and was noted for his piety and
charity.
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