Configuración de una identidad hagiográfica popular: la leyenda de San Gregorio Ostiense

Abstract

This work analyses the popular versions of the life of Saint Gregorio Ostiensis. The legend of the saint, known through his written biography and the iconography of the sanctuary, is constantly transformed by means of a simplification of historical events. Only what is substantial in the text and what recreates new passages removed from official hagiography. Popular legend possesses certain singularities concerning morphology and content, which are the consequence, to a large extent, of the natural process of transformation of popular creative geniality. However, the strength of official tradition prevents the statement from suffering an important mutation, as is presumed in other popular hagiographic legends without any known written traditions, and which have been transmitted solely through oral tradition.