\paperw19995 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 The cult of the saints was a phenomenon connected with the affirmation of Christianity. It was rejected in the sixteenth ce
ntury by that branch of the Church that gave rise to the Protestant Reformation. Devotion to saints was widespread in medieval times and was linked to the cult of relics that was adopted from Eastern Christendom. The apostles were objects of particular
veneration and were traditionally represented in ancient costume and with clearly characterized and easily recognizable physiognomies. The Fathers of the Church, the eminent and learned men who helped to form Christian doctrine, were depicted as sages, d
ressed in the robes of a cardinal or bishop. Martyrs were usually characterized by the attributes of their martyrdom, such as St. SebastianÆs arrows and St. Catherine of AlexandriaÆs wheel. The stories about the saints were often written, and they were c
ollected in the thirteenth century by Jacobus de Voragine in the \i Legenda aurea\i0 , or \i Golden Legend\i0 . A number of popular legends were also widespread, including the story of St. Luke painting the VirginÆs portrait, for which he was assigned th
