Saints in Folklore Author:Christina Hole The men and women who were afterwards to be honoured as saints fought constantly against evil in all its forms, material as well as spiritual. The were of all kinds-kings and bishops, monks and nuns, and simple lay folk in every rank of life. Such men and women easily became the loved heroes of the people, and in many cases it was by popular acc... more »lamation the the splendid title of saint was first given to them. Because the saints lived in the hearts of the people and were regarded by them as patrons and protectors, it was inevitable that legends of all kinds should gather round their names. The real incidents of their lives were heightened and embroidered by lively storytellers. Gaps in their known histories were filled in with details that seemed probable or suitable to the pious narrators, and floating folk tales were sometimes added to their traditions, as in the case of St. George and his dragon. Thus, by the written word, and by oral tradition, the great saints of the early years entered, like other heroes, into the folklore of Christendom. The stories of their heroic and often adventurous lives were recounted again and again, for entertainment as well as edification, and if some of the details so cheerfully included seem obvious fictions to us now, few doubted them when the tales were first told. Indeed, even today it is often by their legendary rather than their real history that some of the saints are most frequently remembered.« less
ISBN: 290010 Pages:150 Rating:
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