The Day Of St Anthony S Fire

After the discovery of the ergotism epidemics (poisoning caused by ingesting the fungal toxin of rye) and its etiology, eighteenth-century physicians interpreted medieval chronicles in their medical texts in order to recognize the occurrences of ergotic diseases through retrospective diagnosis. They assumed that St. Anthony's fire and ignis sacer ("sacred fire") recorded in medieval texts represented the same disease, ergotism. This interpretative method, lacking a textual basis in the sources, has been incorrectly followed by historians till now. This book examines this historical prejudice through textual analysis, comparing diverse medieval and early modern sources. A striking semantic complexity emerges that changes the concept of St. Anthony's fire and modifies our understanding of diseases in general. This research illuminates aspects of the history of medicine, society, and hospitals.

The biographic text of St. Anthony is presented complete in this edition for the reader's absorption and contemplation. First published in the 4th century A.D., Anthony the Great's biography was authored by Christian Saint Athanasius of Alexandria. Since its release, the book has helped spread the beliefs, practices and arduous faith of Anthony the Great. A significant progenitor of the monastic tradition, Saint Anthony lived an ascetic lifestyle in the arid lands of Egypt. Although not the earliest of religious figures committed to this tradition, through actions and preaching Anthony helped popularise and spread principles that would contribute heavily to the establishment of Christian monasteries in Europe and beyond. One event in St. Anthony's life was his encounter with the supernatural in the remote Egyptian desert. This occurrence, where the otherworldly presence tried to tempt him from his spartan philosophy of living, is much recreated in Western art and literature.

CULTIVATE YOUR FAITH WHILE CULTIVATING THE LAND Everyone who works the soil, whether on a prairie, the outskirts of a small town, in a city garden, or in your own yard, can use inspiration and blessings to help get through the endless work and daunting challenges. Who better to look to for examples of strength, courage, and faith than the heavenly companions who have been there themselves? In Farming and Homesteading with the Saints, author and hobby farmer Andie Andrews Eisenberg presents a faith-filled treasury of Catholic holy men and women connected to agriculture, animals, and rural life. In these pages, you’ll meet the patron saints of creatures, critters, flying things, horses, sheep, cats, dogs, beekeepers, gardeners, field hands, shepherds. and many more. You will also have at your fingertips a wellspring of blessings to pray for the safety of your home, your farm, and the creatures under your care. Whether you are a traditional or next-gen farmer, a weekend gardener, or someone who embraces the revival of the back-to-the-land movement, Farming andHomesteading with the Saints is a timeless resource and a stirring reminder that farming with faith means that you are never, ever alone in your work.

John Dillenberger has written the first comprehensive account of the relation between the visual arts and theological currents in Europe during the first half of the sixteenth century. With an astute knowledge of the theology of the period and a keen interest in the lives and work of prominent artists, Dillenberger makes incisive connections that illuminate the cultural movements of the time. Images and Relics considers both popular and professional art within distinct religious contexts. It examines the works of Matthias Grunewald, Albrecht Durer, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Michelangelo, Hans Holbein the Younger, Hans Baldung Grien, and Albrecht Altdorfer, and demonstrates how these artists expressed and transformed the reigning theological ideas of their day. The book also addresses the range of iconoclastic movements from the 1520s to the 1570s, particularly in northern Europe. Finally, Dillenberger reflects on the ambiguity of the history of this period and its continuing impact on modern-day life.