Person of St. Melania the Younger in the light of Vita Sanctae Melaniae Senatricis Romae by Geroncius
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15633/ps.942Keywords:
Melania the Younger, keep a fast, ascetic life, conversion, monastery, Rome, Africa, JerusalemAbstract
St. Melanie the Younger was born in Rome in 383 or 385 A.D. in a rich and well-known family Valeria. She was the daughter of Valerius Publicoli, a Roman senator, and Albina Ceionia as well as the granddaughter of Malanie the Older, a Christian ascet and founder of many monasteries. At the age of 14, upon her parents’ decision, she married her cousin, a 17 year old Valerius Pinianus. She preferred to run a life focused on God and she continuously encouraged her husband to follow her example too. After their two children had died, both Melanie and her husband made a decision to live in ascesis and resigned from all signs of belonging to the upper social class. They started selling their mansions scattered all over the world one by one and donated their money to people in need. Having left Rome, they proceeded to Nola where they met St. Paulin, and next to Africa, where they met St. Augustine. After spending 7 years in Africa, they went to the Holy Land. There Melanie also founded monasteries. She spent a few years in the Mount of Olives living in severe ascesis. She went to Egypt, where she visited the most famous monastery life centres and hermits’ centres. Having returned to Jerusalem, Melanie came back to living in penance. She died on 31st December 439 A.D., in opinion about her holiness. In 1907 the Pope Pius X formally confirmed her liturgical worship.
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