SS. Chrysanthus and Daria
Martyrs
October 25
237
Chrysanthus and Daria were strangers that came from the east to Rome, the first from Alexandria, the second from Athens, as the Greeks tell us in their Manæa. They added that Chrysanthus after having been esoused to Daria, persuaded her to prefer a state of perpetual virginity to that of marriage, that they might more easily, with perfect purity of heart, trample the world under their feet, and accomplish the solemn consecration they have made of themselves to Christ in baptism.
The zeal with which they professed the faith of Christ distinguished them in the eyes of the idolaters; they were accused, and after suffering many torments, finished their course by a glorious martyrdom, according to their acts in the reign of Numerian: Baillet thinks rather in the persecution of Valerian, in 237. Several others who, by the example of their constancy, had been moved to declare themselves Christians, were put to death with them.
St. Gregory of Tours says, that a numerous assembly of Christians, who were praying at their tomb soon after their martyrdom, were, by order of the prefect of Rome, walled up in a cave, and buried alive.
SS. Chrysanthus and Daria were interred on the Salarian Way,with their companions, whose bodies were found with theirs in the reign of Constantine the Great. This part of the catacombs was long known by the same cemetery of SS. Chrysanthus and Daria. Their tomb was decorated by Pope Damasus, who composed an epitaph in their honor. Their sacred remains were translated by Pope Stephen VI, in 866, part into the Lateran basilic, and part into the church of the twelve apostles. This at least is true of the relics of their companions. Those of SS. Chrysanthus and Daria had been translated to the abbey of Prom, in the diocese of Triers, in 842, being a gift of Sergius II. In 844, they were removed to the abbey of St. Avol, ot St. Norvor, in the diocese of Metz.
Catholic-Truths.com † Catholic Goods
October 24 2009 | The Other Saints | No Comments »
Saint Artemius
Martyr
October 20
362 A.D.
Augustus not being willing to entrust the government of Egypt, which was a rich and powerful country, from which the city of Rome was in part supplied with corn, to a senator, like other great provinces of the empire, passed an order that instead of a procounsul it should be governed only by a Roman knight, with the title of Augustal prefect. The government of the troops was committed to a general officer with the title of duke or general of Egypt.
Artemius was honoured with this command under Constantius, after Lucius and Sebastian. If, in executing some commissions under Constantius, he appeared against St. Athanasius by various contrivances he afforded him means and opportunities to make his escape. If he betrayed too weakness in obeying his prince at that time, he never approved his heresy. At least that he was orthodox in his faith in the reign of Julian, is evident from Theodoret, the Paschal Chronicle, and the ancient Greek Calendars.
The idolaters in Egypt accused him before that emperor of having demolished their temples and broke down their idols. Julian summoned him to appear before him at Antioch in 362, and upon the indictment condemned him to be beheaded in that city, about the month of June in 362.
Artemius, engaged in the service of impious Arians, who embued their hands in the blood of the saints, and placed on the pinnacle of worldly honours, stands upon the brink of the precipice, in imminent danger of being tumbled down headlong into everlasting flames; yet the omnipotent hand of God rescues him from these dangers, and leads him to bliss by a glorious martyrdom.
The view of the many imminent dangers of perishing eternally to which our souls have been often exposed, most fill us with the deepest sentiments of gratitude, love, and praise, for the infinite and most undeserved mercy by which we have been preserved. Should not we burst forth into incessant hymns of praise and thanksgiving? singing with the royal prophet, “Unless the Lord had helped me, my soul had long ago dwelt in hell.” Should not we in a transport of gratitude implore without interruption the divine grace, and resolve to serve God with all our strength, that the fruit of so great mercies may not perish through our malice?
Catholic-Truths.com † Catholic Goods
October 24 2009 | The Other Saints | No Comments »