Saint Edmond : le roi martyr au courage inébranlable (20 novembre)

Sanctus - Saint(e) du Jour

Découvrez l’histoire bouleversante de Saint Edmond, roi d’Est-Anglie et martyr du IXᵉ siècle, fêté le 20 novembre dans le calendrier liturgique. Figure emblématique du Moyen Âge, Edmond est l’un des saints les plus vénérés d’Angleterre : un roi jeune, juste, profondément croyant, mort pour sa foi face aux invasions vikings. Son martyre héroïque, sa fidélité jusqu’au bout et le miracle de sa tête retrouvée grâce à un loup ont marqué des générations entières de croyants.  Lectures pour aller plus loin (liens affiliés, pour nous soutenir) : - "Vivant Saint Edmond, roi et martyr" (Broché) de Edmond BORDIER : https://amzn.to/3MdIau0

Transcript

00:00Today, November 20th, we celebrate Saint Edmond, also known as Edmond, king of Estangli and martyr.

00:07Benedict, Octavian, Gregory and Ambrose are also celebrated on this day in some local calendars.

00:17Saint Edmund is one of England's most famous martyred kings, deeply honored for over a millennium.

00:23His image has endured through the centuries as that of a just, courageous and loyal sovereign until death.

00:33Even today, his name inspires both believers and enthusiasts of medieval history.

00:39Edmond was born around 840 and became king of Estangli at the age of barely 15.

00:45From the moment of his coronation, he distinguished himself by an astonishing maturity.

00:48He governs not by force but by justice, clemency and piety.

00:54His people describe him as a gentle young king, attentive to the poorest members of society.

00:59praying at length each day and seeking above all to be a "ruler after God's own heart".

01:06But 9th century Europe was then living under the constant threat of the great Viking invasions.

01:12In 869, the great pagan army, led by the formidable chieftains Ivar the Boneless and Hubba,

01:19surges over the Estangli.

01:22Edmond refuses to renounce his faith or become a king subservient to invaders.

01:27Captured, he is ordered to abandon Christ.

01:30He calmly replies that he would rather die than betray his God or his people.

01:36The Vikings then tortured him savagely.

01:39They tied him to a tree trunk, riddled him with arrows like a new Saint Sebastian,

01:44then execute it.

01:45Tradition holds that after his decapitation, his head was miraculously found intact.

01:53guarded by a tame wolf that protected the holy body from scavengers.

01:56Very quickly, Edmond became one of the most revered saints in the kingdom.

02:03His shrine in Bury Saint Edmunds attracts huge crowds.

02:07and became one of the most important spiritual centers in England

02:10even before the rise of the cult of Thomas Beckett.

02:14Edmond is considered the prototype of the ideal Christian king.

02:19strong, just, prayerful, faithful unto sacrifice.

02:23His figure continued to influence medieval literature and art for centuries.

02:30Today, he is seen as one of the most magnificent examples of humble sovereignty.

02:34turn towards God rather than towards personal glory.

02:38Prayer to Saint Edmond

02:41Almighty God,

02:44who granted your servant Edmund the grace to be a just king and a faithful martyr,

02:49May we follow his example of courage and charity.

02:54May his prayer grant us strength in times of trial.

02:57faithfulness in faith and peace in our lives.

03:00Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Catégorie

Transcription

Écris le tout premier commentaire

Recommandations