medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (25. December) is the feast day of:
The Nativity, as hallowed by tradition.
Anastasia (d. c. 304) Legend tells that Anastasia was a Roman
noblewoman who went to Aquileia to help the Christians in prison
there during the great persecution. The story is apparently
apocryphal and A. wasn't a native of Rome. Her cult started at
Sirmium in Pannonia, and she may have been martyred there.
Eugenia (?) Eugenia was a virgin martyr of Rome. A basilica was
built in her honor and restored in the eighth century. According to
legend, E. was a woman who disguised herself as a monk and lived
undetected in a monastery. A woman made advances to "him," was
rejected, and cried rape in revenge. The governor (somehow the story
was transferred to Alexandria) condemned all the monks of the
community to death---until E. revealed that he was really a she. The
monastery was spared and the lying woman was struck by lightning.
Peter the Venerable (blessed) (d. 1156) Pierre de Montboissier was
born in the Auvergne. He became abbot of Cluny in 1122. As abbot,
he made good the damage done by his predecessor Pontius, encouraged
study (and wrote himself), had the Qur'an translated, and in general
seems to have been a good guy, as when he championed Peter Abelard.
Peter Nolasco (d. 1256 or 1258) Peter was apparently born in the
Languedoc. He became deeply concerned in ransoming prisoners in the
hands of the Muslims and in time founded the Mercedarian order to
further the work.
Jacopone of Todi (blessed) (d. c. 1306) Jacopone lived a thoroughly
sensual life until his marriage at the age of 37 or 38 to a very
pious woman. She was killed in an accident after only a year and J.
went mad with grief. He started practicing extreme penances and
eventually became a Franciscan, joining the spiritual party. He was
one of three Franciscans who declared that Boniface VIII had been
invalidly elected---for which he was imprisoned in chains for five
years. He is known for his lyrical poems and most notably for the
hymn Stabat Mater dolorosa.
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