 |
 |
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Today (6. November) is the feast day of: Melaine (d. c. 530) Melaine was born at Placet (Brittany). He became a monk and was elected bishop of Rennes. He was a very active attacker of polytheism. Illtyd (d. 535) A largely legendary figure, Illtyd is one of the most famous of the Welsh saints. He is supposed to have been of British family, but was born in Brittany, and then came to visit his cousin King Arthur in c. 470. He married and served in the army, but became a hermit and then a monk. I. attracted a lot of disciples who were organized into the monastery of Llaniltud Fawr in Glamorgan. Alternatively, I. was a disciple of St. Germanus of Auxerre. One Welsh tradition says that I. was one of the three knights who guarded the Holy Grail. Leonard of Noblac (d. c. 559) Legend says that Leonard was a Frank who converted to Christianity. His godfather, Clovis I, offered him a bishopric, but he refused and became a monk. He founded Noblac on land he received as a reward for praying successfully for the queen while she was in labor---all the land he could ride around on a donkey in a day. The monastery grew into the town of Saint-Leonard. Legend also says that Clovis promised to release every captive Leonard visited, so he's a patron saint of prisoners of war as well as of women in labor. Demetrian (d. c. 912) Demetrian was a Cyprian who became a monk and eventually abbot. After 40 years in office he became bishop of Khytri (Kyrka), and ruled for another 25 years. He is most famous for convincing Muslim raiders to release their Christian captives instead of enslaving them. Barlaam of Khutyn (d. 1193) Barlaam was a wealthy citizen of Novgorod. After his parents died, he gave his inheritance to the poor and became a hermit at Khityn. He organized his disciples into a monastic community. B's grave became an important pilgrimage site. A modern saint: Theophan Venard (d. 1861) After his education in France, Venard was ordained and went to be a missionary in Asia, at first in Hong Kong and then in Vietnam. It wasn't a very good time to be a missionary in Vietnam, though, as King Minh-Menh was actively persecuting Christians. TV maintained a secret ministry for 4 years before he was betrayed to the authorities. He resisted efforts to get him to renounce his faith (such as keeping him in a small cage) and was beheaded. TV was canonized in 1988. ********************************************************************** 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