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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (29. July) is the feast day of: Martha (1st cent.) The sister of Mary and Lazarus, Martha got rather shown up by her sister in the gospels. Jesus visited the family home in Bethany---Mary listened while Martha did all the work, and Jesus wouldn't even stand up for her. She did, however, make one of the clear professions of faith in the gospels---that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God (John 11:27), just before JC resurrected Lazarus. Martha and Mary have been used for an awful long time as models of the active and contemplative life. Lupus (d. 478) Lupus was a native of Gaul who became a monk at Lerins and in c. 426 bishop of Troyes. He accompanied Germanus of Auxerre on his mission to Britain to fight Pelagianism. When Attila and co. invaded Gaul, L. persuaded him to spare Troyes (offering himself as a hostage). But when Attila was defeated at Chalons, L. was accused of helping him escape---it was two years before L. was allowed back into Troyes (he lived as a hermit in the meantime). I should add that the whole Lupus/Attila business has been questioned by modern scholars. Felix II (d. 492) Felix was the scion of a senatorial family who became a priest when his wife died. He was elected pope in 483. Most of his pontificate was spent embroiling the church in the Acacian schism (F. excommunicated Patriarch Acacius of Constantinople as a monophysite). He also gave considerable support to the African church both during and after the Vandal persecution. Olaf (d. 1030) Olaf Haraldsson of Norway spent his youth as a pirate, during the course of which he was baptized in England. He returned to Norway in 1015 and succeeded in making himself king. He then proceeded very forcefully to impose both his own rule and Christianity, driving his nobles to revolt in 1029. He was driven out but returned in 1031, only to be killed at the Battle of Stiklestad. Miracles were reported at his shrine, and the cathedral of Trondheim grew up around what became a great pilgrimage center for all Scandinavia. O. was canonized in 1164. William Pinchon (d. 1234) The Breton William Pinchon became bishop of Brieuc in c. 1220. He was known for piety and concern for the poor. For several years of his administration W. was exiled from his see for defending its rights against the duke of Brittany. He was canonized in 1247. A modern saint: Joseph Tschang (d. 1861) Joseph Tschang was a Chinese seminarian, beheaded with three companions at Tsin-gai. He was beatified in 1909. ********************************************************************** 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