Martyrologium O.P.@martyrologiumop
The First Day of January.
The Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Octave of His Nativity. A total duplex feast of the second class. At Rome, the suffering of St. Martina, virgin and martyr. At the time of the Emperor Alexander, she was subjected to various kinds of torture and finally obtained the crown of martyrdom by the sword. Her feast is observed on January 30.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, the death of St. Basil the Great, bishop, confessor, and Doctor of the Church. He lived at the time of the Emperor Valens, and was remarkable for his learning and wisdom. Adorned with every virtue, he was wonderfully distinguished by the unconquerable firmness with which he defended the Church against the Arians and Macedonians His feast is fittingly celebrated on June 14, the day on which he was consecrated bishop.
At Monte Senario, in Etruria (Italy), St. Bonfilius confessor, one of the seven founders of the Order of the Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since he had so faithfully served her, he was quickly called by her to heaven. His feast, with that of his companions, is observed on February 12. At Rome, St. Almachius, martyr. At the command of Alipius, prefect of the city, he was slain by gladiators because he cried out: ``Today is the Octave Day of the Lord; stop your idolatrous superstitions and your polluted sacrifices.''
Also at Rome, on the Appian Way, the crowning of thirty holy soldiers, martyrs, under the Emperor Diocletian. At Spoleto, St. Concordius, priest and martyr, in the time of the Emperor Antoninus. He was first beaten with clubs, and then stretched on the rack. Afterward, he was starved in prison, where he was consoled by the visit of an angel. At length his life was ended by the sword.
On the same day, St. Magnus, martyr.
In Africa, Blessed Fulgentius, Bishop of the church of Ruspé. During the Vandal persecution, he was greatly harassed by the Arians because of his Catholic faith and excellent teaching. He was exiled to Sardinia, but finally was allowed to return to his own Church, where he died a holy death, renowned for his life and preaching.
At Chieti in Abruzzi (Italy), the birthday of St. Justin, bishop of that city, renowned for the holiness of his life and for his miracles. In the country of Lyons, in the monastery of Mount Jura, St. Eugendus abbot, whose life was resplendent with miracles and virtues.
At Souvigny in Gaul, St. Odilo, Abbot of Cluny. He was the first to prescribe that the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed should be kept in his monasteries on the first day after the Feast of All Saints. This custom the Universal Church afterward approved and adopted.
At Alexandria, the death of St. Euphrosyna, virgin, who was renowned in her monastery for the virtue of abstinence and for her miracles. 2 And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
