medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
> In Jim's message below, 'Christian' is surely a typo for 'Christina':
Oops. Thanks, John. Although it does not involve a millstone, this method of martyrdom
also recalls the perhaps paradigmatic martyrdom of St Clement, the 1st-century pope. After
incurring Trajan's wrath, he was exiled to Chersonesus on the Black Sea, where he was
martyred by having an anchor tied around his neck and being thrown into the sea. He and
his anchor didn't float, but a miracle occurred, none the less. This method of martyrdom was
chosen, according to the legend, so that Christians would not be able to revere his remains.
But led by Clement's disciples, Cornelius and Probus, the people prayed to be shown the
saint's body. Immediately, the sea drew back for three miles, and the crowd walked out to
find Clement's body already miraculously housed in a divinely built chapel, with the anchor
beside his shrine. Thereafter, on each of the saint's feast days, the sea dutifully receded the
three miles for a week, so that the faithful could venerate his relics. One year, a boy was
accidentally left behind in the chapel, and the next year, when the sea receded, he was found
perfectly safe and still sleeping in the chapel.
Cheers,
Jim
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