 |
 |
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (21. September) is the feast day of: Matthew (1st cent.) Matthew---or Levi---or Matthew the Levite---was a tax collector at Caphernaum when Jesus collected him. He has traditionally been credited as author of the first gospel (which seems unlikely, unless he lived a *very* long time). Legend says that Matt preached in Judea and then further east, eventually being martyred in either Persia or Ethiopia. Gerulf (d. c. 746) Gerulf was a young Flemish layman. He was murdered by a relative while on his way home from being confirmed. The reason for the murder was a property dispute, but G. was acclaimed as a martyr. Maura of Troyes (d. c. 850) Maura was a native of Troyes (France) who devoted her life to ascetic practices and care of the poor. She was considered a miracle worker and renowned for her holiness. Michael of Chernigov and Theodore (d. 1246) Michael was duke of Chernigov (Russia). He cowardly abandoned Kiev to attacking Mongols but repented and surrendered to Batu Khan, using the opportunity to plead for his people. Batu wasn't impressed. He is said to have ordered M. to renounce his faith and worship idols (since when did the Mongols have "idols"?) and when M. refused he was tortured and then killed, along with one of his nobles (Theodore). A modern saint: Francois Jaccard (d. 1838) FJ was a Savoyard who became a priest in the Society of Foreign Missions and went off to Vietnam in 1826. He was a missionary there for 12 years, but was eventually caught in an anti-Christian purge and garotted. ********************************************************************** 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