medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
The claim that Venantius of Camerino fled to the gorge of the Aterno at
what is now Raiano (AQ) is a later addition to V.'s Passio incorporating
into his story the site of the hermitage at this location. The
hermitage is first recorded from the twelfth century; if I remember
correctly, that is also said to be the century in which this addition
was made to the Passio (are the addition to the Passio and the first
record of the hermitage one and the same, I wonder??).
Another passage in V.'s Passio may have influenced the dedication to him
of this particular hermitage. In the version printed in the AA.SS., we
read that V.'s persecutor, King Antiochus, ordered him to be thrown to
his death from the city wall of Camerino and that when A.'s minions
later went out to remove the body they found V. praying and unharmed.
In modern times, at least, this miracle has led to V.'s being declared a
protector against falls. Now the hermitage in its present state
actually spans the gorge of the Aterno and when the site was first
occupied getting up to and down from it could have been quite tricky.
Hence, perhaps, a dedication to a saint associated with safety in high,
steep places.
One of the views George so kindly provided shows the hermitage in its
setting between the cliffs:
http://www.comunitamontanapeligna.it/comune/raiano/pagina5.htm
And here's a view looking down beneath of the hermitage's bridges
spanning the gorge:
http://www.enit.it/foto-ad/images/big/abr_0007.jpg
For the larger setting, here's an aerial view of the slopes above the gorge:
http://wwwbioitaly.casaccia.enea.it/query/bioitaly/Foto/ABR096.JPG
Another passage in V.'s Passio has him obtain the divine grace of
causing a spring to emerge from a rock for the benefit of his thirsty
torturers. Springs of San Venanzio are therefore fairly common in the
core area of his cult, east central Italy.
Best again,
John Dillon
On Friday, May 19, 2006, at 11:08 am, George Ferzoco wrote:
Subject: [M-R] Venantius and Raiano (RE: [M-R] saints of the day 18. May)
> Following John's ... contribution regarding Venantius, I
> would like to add a detail concerning him. It is claimed that for
> two years V fled Camerino to escape persecution, and took refuge in
> the picturesque gorge of the Aterno River, just outside the
> medieval town of Raiano (almost in view of Corfinio's Basilica-
> Cathedral of Saints Pelinus and Alexander). There is a small
> hermitage there, still the site of the ritual practice of
> incubation, discussed not long ago on the list.
>
> Some photos and blurbs:
> http://www.comunitamontanapeligna.it/comune/raiano.htm (in Italian,
> at bottom of page)
> http://www.sulmona.org/foto/fotovenanzio.php (mainly illustrating
> the physical setting)
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