medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (7. August) is the feast day of:
Sixtus II and companions (d. 258) Sixtus (or Xystus, if you prefer)
became bishop of Rome in 257. Not a good year for Christians, since
Valerian started issuing anti-Christian edicts that year. Sixtus and
four of his deacons were found leading a Christian assembly in a
catacomb and were executed immediately. Two other deacons were
probably killed the same day. The last, and most famous of the
deacons, Lawrence, was killed four days later.
Afra (d. 304) Afra was martyred at Augsburg, as Venantius Fortunatus
attests. Her acta are rather more dubious. She is supposed to have
been a reformed prostitute, caught in Diocletian's persecution and
executed by being tied to a stake and asphyxiated with the smoke of
burning vine leaves. Her mother and three servants buried her, but
were caught and roasted alive.
Victricius (d. c. 407) Bishop Victricius of Rouen was a soldier who
turned Christian and asked for a discharge---his commander had him
flogged and sentenced to death for desertion, but the decision was
reversed and he was released. He became bishop in c. 386 and had
some success converting the people of his diocese.
Albert of Trapani (d. c. 1307) Albert's parents were childless until
they vowed to dedicate a male child to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
Albert duly became a Carmelite and was sent to Messina where he was a
successful preacher while living a life of extreme asceticism. In
his last years, he became a hermit. His cult was approved in 1476.
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