medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (2. June) is the feast day of:
The martyrs of Lyons and Vienne (d. 177) A contemporary letter
describing the persecution and execution of these martyrs was
preserved in Eusebius' *Ecclesiastical History*; it is the earliest
evidence of organized Christianity in Gaul. Members of the group
were used for entertainment in the amphitheater, before finally being
executed. The bodies were burned, in an effort to prevent their
veneration.
Erasmus (d. 303?) Erasmus seems to have been bishop of Formiae
(Campagna), and was martyred. He eventually became the patron saint
of sailors (one legend includes E. preaching from the masthead during
a thunderstorm), better known under the name "Elmo."
Marcellinus and Peter (d. 304) Marcellinus and Peter are
important---they appear in the Roman canon of the mass. M. was a
priest of rome; P. was an exorcist. They were arrested and proceeded
to convert a lot of people while in prison (including the jailer and
his family). Finally they were taken to a secret place in the forest
and beheaded, in the hope that the place of their execution could
thus be kept from becoming a cult center. The plan failed, though.
Constantine built a church over their tomb, and St. helena was buried
there.
Stephen of Sweden (d. 1075?) Stephen was a monk of Corvey who became
a missionary bishop in Sweden, probably sent by the bishop of Bremen.
He enjoyed considerable success until he was martyred, either at
Uppsala or Noroda.
Nicholas the Pilgrim (d. 1094) Nicholas was a Greek who seems to
have been mentally handicapped. His parents gave up trying to teach
him and sent him to tend sheep at the age of six. He took to
shouting "kyrie eleison" all the time. Most people thought he was
insane or possessed by demons. Finally he went to southern Italy,
wandering around Apulia and continuing his kyrie eleisons. Many
miracles were reported after his death, and he was canonized in 1098.
Sadoc and companions (blessed) (d. 1260) Sadoc, probably a
Hungarian, was a Dominican preacher and founder of a priory at
Sandomir in Poland. The Mongols besieged Sandomir and captured it in
1260; 49 friars of the community were killed during compline (one
hid in the belfry and survived).
--
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
Associate Professor & Chair
History Department
University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Dr. #5047
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-5844
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