Salome and Judith

Salome and Judith ( 9th century ) - the holy virgins of England. Memorial Day - June 29th .

Saints Salome and Judith (Salome and Judith), according to legend, were English women of royal blood, perhaps close relatives. They were recluses at the monastery of Oberaltach ( Oberaltaich ) in Bavaria , Germany .

Although we are talking about a rather late tradition, it is believed that St. Salome is Edburga, the beautiful but rather shocking daughter of King Offa of Mercia. She instead of the enemy by mistake poisoned her husband Beortrik , King of the West Saxons (King Beorhtric of the West Saxons). She fled from England , intending to repent of this crime. The emperor Charlemagne bestowed a rich monastery on her control, but soon he removed her from the leadership because of scandalous behavior.

Subsequently, she wandered around Europe with her maid, praying for mercy either in Pavia , called Patavium, Italy , or in Passau , called Patavia, Germany. If Asser made a mistake in his record and it was discovered in Passau, then there really is a connection between Edburg and Salome, as her biographer reports that she came to the monastery from Passau. Thus, it can be assumed that the princess began to lead a penitential life of a recluse . Presumably Judith, her aunt, was sent to find her, but joined her monastic life.

Another version of the life extends the previous one. According to her, only the repentant Salome was an Anglo-Saxon princess who had fled, while Judith was a widow from Bavaria who became friends with her.

It is not difficult to see that the story is very uncertain, although both saints were in fact. Sometimes Judith is called a princess, sometimes Salome, sometimes both are referred to as royal blood.