17 January

St Anthony

From Oxford Dictionary of Saints (1978), p.26 :

"Antony was buried by his own choice in a place known to none. But by 561 his relics were found and translated to Alexandria. Much later, translations were claimed by Constantinople and by La Motte, where the Order of Hospitallers of Saint Antony was founded c.1100. This became a pilgrimage centre for those who suffered from ergotism (called St Antony's Fire). The hospitallers, who wore black robes with a blue Tau-cross, became widespread over much of Western Europe. They used to ride about, ringing little bells to attract alms; the bells were afterwards hung round the necks of animals to protect them from disease. By special privilege this order's pigs were allowed to roam freely in the streets, whence the emblems of pigs and bells in St Antony's later iconography... ...Feast 17th January"

From Rennes le Chateau, a Visitor's Guide (1993), p. 27 :

"St Antony Ermite. The presence in the church of this saint, who led an exemplary life may be intended to suggest a nearby location - 'La Grotte de l'Ermite' (the Hermit's Grotto). It is not simply chance which makes a ray of sunlight pass through the stained glass window opposite and illuminate the statue on precisely January 17th, the date on which he is celebrated, and on which he died at the age of 105."

Blanchefort

From Rennes le Chateau, a Visitor's Guide (1993), p. 7 :

"Marie de Negre Dables-Dame D'Hautpoul de Blanchefort died in the chateau of Rennes on 17th January 1781 at the age of 67."

Sauniere

From Rennes-le-Chateau, a Visitor's Guide (1993), p. 18 : "Until the day when Marinette discovered him (Abbe Berenger Sauniere) prostrate in front of the Tour Magdala on January 17th, 1917...After having passed on the secret to his friend the Abbe Riviere of Esperaza the cure of Rennes le Chateau died on January 22nd 1917."

Nicolas Flamel

From Exposition of the Hieroglyphicall Figures which he caused to bee painted upon an Arch in St. Innocents Church-yard, in Paris., Nicolas Flamel - London, 1624

"Having this, I easily accomplished the Mastery, for, knowing the preparation of the first Agents, and after following my Book according to the letter, I could not have missed it, though I would. Then, the first time that I made projection was upon Mercury, whereof I turned half-a-pound, or thereabouts, into pure Silver, better than that of the Mine, as I myself assayed, and made others assay many times. This was upon a Monday, the 17th of January, about noon, in my house, Perrenella only being present, in the year of the restoring of mankind, 1382."

St Sulpice

17 January is the Saint's day (feast day) of St Sulpice. The church of St Sulpice and the church at Rennes le Chateau are both located on the Paris Meridien.

Serpent Rouge

From Le Serpent Rouge :

Title page : "PONTOISE - 17 JANVIER 1967 - 3 FRS"

From Le Serpent Rouge :

"J'ai omis de vous dire en effet que c'etait un songe que j'avais fait ce 17 JANVIER, fete de Saint SULPICE."

Sigisbert IV

From Genisis :

"January 17th AD 681 was the date Sigisbert IV was reputed to have arrived at Rennes-le-Chateau. He is the mysterious link in the Merovingian line who, as son of Dagobert II, would have been his heir. As his life was in danger he was apparently concealed and from him came a line of kings who have never ruled."


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