Matrona of Kosilaos
Matrona (4th century) was a consecrated maiden of the Macedonians who resisted the instructions of the Roman Emperor Theodosius I to transfer a skull relic of John the Baptist to Constantinople .
The Macedonians were followers of the teachings of Makedonius I. Members of this sect are said to have discovered the head of John the Baptist and brought him to Cilicia . Emperor Valens wanted to transfer the relic to Constantinople, but the mules intended for transport only brought them to Pantichium , a small coastal town in Bithynia . The fact that the mules could not be persuaded to move on was taken as a divine sign and the relic was brought to the neighboring village of Kosilaos , where it was then shown to the people.
Valens' successor Theodosius I wanted to have the relic brought back to Constantinople. Matrona, who had dedicated to the protection and adoration of the relic, opposed this request. After Matrona could not be persuaded to hand over the relic, Theodosius I is said to have hidden the container with the relic under his robe and brought it to Hebdomon , where he had a church built for her worship.
Matrona stayed in Kosilaos. There she instructed girls in a Christian life and was known for her piety and wisdom.
literature
- Wilhelm Enßlin : Matrona 6. In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume XIV, 2, Stuttgart 1930, Col. 2306.
- Raymond Janin: Les églises et les monastères des grands centers byzantins. Paris 1975, p. 52.
Remarks
- ↑ Sozomenos , Historia Ecclesiastica 7, 21, 1-3 .
- ↑ Sozomenos, Historia Ecclesiastica 7, 21, 4-5.
- ^ Sozomenos, Historia Ecclesiastica 7, 21, 9.
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Matrona of Kosilaos |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Matrona |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Saints of the Orthodox Churches |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 3rd century or 4th century |
| DATE OF DEATH | 4th century or 5th century |
| Place of death | Kosilaos |