Order of San Anton

[Rosina Lila]

Hello again,
It is believed that the old San Anton monastery, whose melancholic ruins are
extant, was endowed by Alfonso VII in the year 1146 and it became the House
General of the San Anton order.  The monks, called "antonianos", wore a brown
habit adorned with a large Tau and gave little wooden Taus to pilgrims on their
way to Santiago.  It is said that Saint Francis of Assisi received one from
them and used it thenceforth when making the sign of the Cross in benedictions.
Because of the reputation of the San Anton brothers as healers they were
eventually accused of practicing alchemy and other non-Christian acts, which
caused Carlos III to obtain a writ, in 1789, extinguishing the order, followed by
the permanent closing of the  monastery in 1791.
The good reputation of the San Anton brothers was only restored in the
twentieth century.
Close by, between Olmillos de Sasamon and Castrojeriz, lies Villasandino, the
home town of Antonio Alvarez, an extreme off-off-color, and funny, medieval
poet, whose works are studied (with great interest, no doubt) by University
students all over Spain.
Regards,
Rosina



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