Athleta Christi
Encyclopedia
Once "Athleta Christi" characterized a class of Early Christian soldier martyr
s, of whom the most familiar example is Saint Sebastian. See Military saint
s.
In Early Modern times, since the 15th century, the title has been a political one, granted by pope
s to men who have led military campaigns to defend Christianity
. The militant Catholic hymn Athleta Christi nobilis ("Noble Champion of the Lord"), a hymn for Matins
on May 18, the feast of Saint Venantius
was written in the 17th century. Its author is unknown. The medieval precursors of this hymn are numerous and include hymns, responsories and antiphons dedicated to many saints and martyrs, even non-militant ones like Cosmas and Damian http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:1dAhgCZE2RIJ:www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/MMDB/Alist/AfileA54.htm+Athleta+Christi&hl=en&lr=lang_en.
Those who have held the title include:
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s, of whom the most familiar example is Saint Sebastian. See Military saint
Military saint
The military saints or warrior saints of the Early Christian Church are prominent in the history of Christianity...
s.
In Early Modern times, since the 15th century, the title has been a political one, granted by pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
s to men who have led military campaigns to defend Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. The militant Catholic hymn Athleta Christi nobilis ("Noble Champion of the Lord"), a hymn for Matins
Matins
Matins is the early morning or night prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox liturgies of the canonical hours. The term is also used in some Protestant denominations to describe morning services.The name "Matins" originally referred to the morning office also...
on May 18, the feast of Saint Venantius
Venantius
Venantius may refer to:* Venantius Fortunatus , Latin poet, bishop, and saint* Venantius of Camerino , aka Saint Venanzio, martyr, patron saint of Camerino* Venantius, brother of Saint Honoratus...
was written in the 17th century. Its author is unknown. The medieval precursors of this hymn are numerous and include hymns, responsories and antiphons dedicated to many saints and martyrs, even non-militant ones like Cosmas and Damian http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:1dAhgCZE2RIJ:www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/MMDB/Alist/AfileA54.htm+Athleta+Christi&hl=en&lr=lang_en.
Those who have held the title include:
- Louis I of Hungary called by Pope Innocent VIPope Innocent VIPope Innocent VI , born Étienne Aubert; his father was Adhemar Aubert seigneur de Montel-De-Gelas in Limousin province. His niece was Catherine Aubert, Dame de Boutheon, also the wife of Randon II baron de Joyeuse; she is La Fayette's ancestor...
. - John HunyadiJohn HunyadiJohn Hunyadi John Hunyadi (Hungarian: Hunyadi János , Medieval Latin: Ioannes Corvinus or Ioannes de Hunyad, Romanian: Iancu (Ioan) de Hunedoara, Croatian: Janko Hunjadi, Serbian: Сибињанин Јанко / Sibinjanin Janko, Slovak: Ján Huňady) John Hunyadi (Hungarian: Hunyadi János , Medieval Latin: ...
of Kingdom of HungaryKingdom of HungaryThe Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
called by Pope Pius IIPope Pius IIPope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family...
. - George Kastrioti Skanderbeg of AlbaniaAlbaniaAlbania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
called Athleta Christi by Popes Callixtus IIIPope Callixtus IIIPope Callixtus III , né Alfons de Borja, was Pope from April 8, 1455 to his death in 1458.-Biography:...
, Pius IIPope Pius IIPope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family...
, Paul IIPope Paul IIPope Paul II , born Pietro Barbo, was pope from 1464 until his death in 1471.- Early life :He was born in Venice, and was a nephew of Pope Eugene IV , through his mother. His adoption of the spiritual career, after having been trained as a merchant, was prompted by his uncle's election as pope...
, and Nicholas VPope Nicholas VPope Nicholas V , born Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from March 6, 1447 to his death in 1455.-Biography:He was born at Sarzana, Liguria, where his father was a physician... - Stephen the Great of MoldaviaMoldaviaMoldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
, called by Pope Sixtus IVPope Sixtus IVPope Sixtus IV , born Francesco della Rovere, was Pope from 1471 to 1484. His accomplishments as Pope included the establishment of the Sistine Chapel; the group of artists that he brought together introduced the Early Renaissance into Rome with the first masterpiece of the city's new artistic age,...
External links
- New Catholic Dictionary: Athleta Christi nobilis
- La Trobe University Library: Medieval Music Database: cf incipits O athleta Christi
- La Trobe University Library: Medieval Music Database: cf incipits Athleta Christi