STILL ACCEPTING YOUR LOCAL TALLIES BELOW IN THE INTERNATIONAL POLL: CALLING YOUR TOP 20!
THROUGH MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 2008.
This week the saints’ calendar was wrought with names like Hormisdas, Emygdius, and Famianw. Needless to say, there were slim pickings for a modern baby. Yet from what there was to excavate, I was really pleased. Many of these are or have been considered by friends, and it’s nice to know they have such long illustrious histories!
AUGUST 4
Lua- From Limerick, this Irish male saint was a monk who helped St. Comgall build over 120 monasteries. His name might actually be a nice one for the ladies to adopt.
AUGUST 5
Abel- Hebrew, “breath.” Eighth century Benedictine abbot and missionary. For those of you who only think of Cain and Abel, this was the good brother (Ahem, Trish).
Afra- Arabic, “whitish red.” An alleged prostitute who ran a brothel, she housed the Bishop Narcissus of Gerona, Spain, and hid him from authorities during the persecutions of Diocletian. She was caught and burned to death. Afra also may have been the daughter of the king of Cyprus, and is sometimes spelled Aphra. Aphra is also a Biblical place name.
Cassian- Ancient Roman, “empty, vain.” Fourth century Bishop of Autun, France, who may originated in Egypt, and was credited for multiple miracles.
Theodoric- From the Gothic Thiudreiks, “ruler of the people.” Bishop of Cambrai-Arras, France in the ninth century. Yet another way to get to Theo, without the religiosity (sort of).
AUGUST 6
Bettina (Hungary)- Short form of Elizabeth, “consecrated to God.”
Inez (Sweden)- “chaste.”
AUGUST 7
Albert- Germanic, “noble and bright.” Carmelite hermit from Sicily who attracted thousands of people with his miracles.
Claudia- Ancient Roman, “lame, crippled.” The mother of Linus, second Pope, who is mentioned in St. Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
Donatus- Latin, “given.” Two St. Donatuses share this day: Sixth century French monk Donatus of Besancon, and forth century Italian martyr (should you have a boy, Nicole, you can still name him after your mama).
AUGUST 8
Dominic- Latin, “of the Lord.” Patron Saint of Astronomers, and founder of the Dominican Order of preachers.
Myron- Greek, “myrrh.” Martyred while protecting his church from a mob in Cyzicus.
AUGUST 9
Julian- From the Ancient Roman, Julius, meaning “downy-bearded.” Martyred with eleven others in Constantinople for their opposition to iconoclasm.
AUGUST 10
Asteria- Greek, “star.” She and her sister Grata were martyred together in Bergamo, Sicily. Bears an uncomfortable resemblance to hysteria, but pretty nonetheless.
Lawrence- Ancient Roman, “from Laurentum”, which derives from “laurel.” A humble man who gave all his worldly possessions to the poor, St. Lawrence was burned to death by the prefect of Rome because instead of material treasures, Lawrence brought the prefect the city’s poor whom he considered to be treasure.
Above: The bell tower at St. Donatus, Croatia by Mariana Tomas
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I quite like *Lua*, Abel, *Theodoric*, *Bettina*, Inez, *Albert*, Claudia (unfortunate meaning, though), Donatus (superb substitute for Donald), Dominic, *Julian*, Asteria and Lawrence.