ALPHA OMEGA ARTS NEWS
By TAHLIB
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| Saint Wilgefortis in the Museum of the Diocese Graz-Seckau in Graz, Austria, 18th century |
AUSTRIA---Some of the most fascinating Christian art stories get shared weekly on "
Jesus In Love," a popular gay Christian art blog. Each week, there is something new to astound me. Recently, I read about a 14th century bearded-lady who was also a Roman Catholic Saint: "Legend says that
Wilgefortis was the teenage Christian daughter of a king in medieval Portugal. She had taken a vow of chastity, but her father ordered her to marry a pagan king. She resisted the unwelcome marriage by praying to be made repulsive to her fiancé. God answered her prayers when she grew a beard. Unfortunately her father got so angry that he had her crucified and Wilgefortis joined the ranks of virgin martyrs." [
link]
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| “Santa Wilgefortis” from “Queer Santas” series by Alma Lopez |
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