Old Stuff

The Twelfth Day of December

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Epimachus and Alexander. In the reign of the Emperor Decius, they were kept in chains for a long time and subjected to various punishments. As they remained unshaken in the faith, they were finally burned alive. The feast of St. Epimachus, together with that of St. Gordian the martyr, is celebrated on May 10.

At Rome, St. Synesius, martyr. He was ordained lector in the time of Pope St. Sixtus II. He had converted many persons to Christ when he was accused before the Emperor Aurelian. Being put to the sword, he gained the crown of martyrdom.

On the same day, the holy martyrs Hermogenes, Donatus, and twenty-two others.

At Treves, the holy martyrs Maxentius, Constantius, Crescentius, Justin, and their associates. All suffered in the persecution of Diocletian, under the governor Rictiovarus.

At Alexandria, SS. Ammonaria, virgin, Mercuria, Dionysia, and another Ammonaria. The first Ammonaria, in the persecution of Decius, obtained a happy ending to her life; after enduring unheard-of tortures, she was put to the sword. The judge felt humiliated to be overcome by women, and doubted that he would be able to conquer their firmness if he used the same torments on them. He therefore ordered them to be beheaded without delay.

V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

R. Thanks be to God.