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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (4. October) is the feast day of: Domnina, Berenice, and Prosdoce (d. 310) This was a mother and two daughters from Antioch in Syria. Legend tells that they fled to Edessa during the persecution, but were arrested. While being taken back to Antioch all three managed to drown themselves to escape being raped by their guards. Ammon the Great (d. c. 350) As his name implies, Ammon was one of the greatest fathers of the Egyptian desert. He was the scion of a wealthy family and forced to marriage, but he and his wife lived eighteen years without consumating the marriage, before separating to enter the religious life. Ammong settled at Nitria in Lower Egypt, attracting in time a reputed 5000 monks around him, including many educated men from Alexandria. Aurea of Paris (d. 666) Aurea was a Syrian who somehow made her way to the kingdom of the Franks. St. Eligius appointed her abbess of St. Martial in Paris in 633. She and 160 members of her community died in an epidemic. Peter of Damascus (d. c. 750) A very brave (or perhaps foolhardy) bishop of Damascus who preached publicly against Islam. He had his tongue cut out and was exiled to Arabia. Later he was maimed, blinded, tied to a cross, and then beheaded. Francis of Assisi (d. 1226) A VERY famous saint, who doubtless needs no introduction from me. Son of rich merchant, had a religious conversion that included a deep aversion to wealth. Became a beggar, attracted followers, and founded the order of Friars Minor in 1209. F. gathered 5000 disciples in 10 years, after which he went to Egypt to try to convert the Muslims (who fortunately regarded him as a holy fool and didn't kill him). The last few years of his life Francis relinquished the leadership of his new order, and saw it already growing away from his vision of absolute poverty. Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice [log in to unmask] ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html