medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (2. April) is the feast day of:
Apphian and Theodosia (d. 306/8) Eusebius tells of these saints in
his history of the martyrs of Palestine. Apphian was a Lycian who
went to study with Eusebius in Caesarea. He soon got into trouble by
trying to prevent a public sacrifice to the state gods. Eventually
he was executed by being thrown into the Mediterranean. Theodosia
suffered the same fate two years later, after drawing attention to
herself by comforting Christian prisoners awaiting execution.
Francis of Paola (d. 1507) Francesco came from small-farmer stock.
His parents, though, had spent several childless years, so they vowed
any son they might have to Francis of Assisi. Sure enough, they then
produced a son, who was named after the great saint, and raised to be
pious. At age 12 he was taken to a friary to spend a year---and
already at that age had a reputation for extreme sanctity and
miracle-working. When he returned to Paola, F. became a hermit not
far from town. By his 20th birthday, a group of disciples had
gathered, dedicated to a return to the orginal Franciscan ideals.
The new order was approved in 1471. F. kept up his reputation for
holiness and miracles. He died in 1507, was beatified in 1513, and
was canonized in 1519.
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