St. Sixtus I
Feastday: April 6
A Roman whose name suggests he was of Greek descent, Pope/St. Sixtus led the Roman see during the reign of Hadrian. The probable dates of Sixtus' papacy are c. 115-c. 125; ancient sources agree that he ruled ten years, but few agree about which ten. Legends say he was a martyr, but modern scholars think martyrdom during a time when persecution had ceased unlikely.
Pope Sixtus I (42 – 124/126/128), also spelled Xystus, a Roman of Greek descent,[1] was the bishop of Rome from c. 115 to his death.[2] He succeeded Pope Alexander I and was in turn succeeded by Pope Telesphorus. His feast is celebrated on 6 April.[2]
The Holy See's Annuario Pontificio (2012) identifies him as a Roman who served from 117 or 119 to 126 or 128.[2] According to the Liberian Catalogue of popes, he served the Church during the reign of Hadrian "from the consulate of Niger and Apronianus until that of Verus III and Ambibulus", that is, from 117 to 126.[2] Eusebius states in his Chronicon that Sixtus I was pope from 114 to 124, while his Historia Ecclesiastica, using a different catalogue of popes, claims his rule from 114 to 128. All authorities agree that he reigned about ten years.[2]
Sixtus I instituted several Catholic liturgical and administrative traditions. Like most of his predecessors, Sixtus I was believed to have been buried near Peter's grave on Vatican Hill, although there are differing traditions concerning where his body lies today. In Alife, there is a Romanesque crypt, which houses the relics of Pope Sixtus I, brought there by Rainulf III.
He was a Roman by birth, and his father's name was Pastor. According to the Liber Pontificalis (ed. Duchesne, I.128), he passed the following three ordinances:
that none but sacred ministers are allowed to touch the sacred vessels;
that bishops who have been summoned to the Holy See shall, upon their return, not be received by their diocese except on presenting Apostolic letters;
that after the Preface in the Mass the priest shall recite the Sanctus with the people.[2]
Alban Butler (Lives of the Saints, 6 April) states that Clement X gave some of his relics to Cardinal de Retz, who placed them in the Abbey of St. Michael in Lorraine. The Xystus who is commemorated in the Catholic Canon of the Mass is Xystus II, not Xystus I.
Title
The oldest documents[which?] use the spelling Xystus (from the Greek ξυστός, xystos, "shaved") in reference to the first three popes of that name. Pope Sixtus I was also the sixth Pope after Peter, leading to questions as to whether the name "Sixtus" is derived from sextus, Latin for "sixth
St. Celestine I
Feastday: April 6
Celestine I The founder of the papal diplomatic service, Pope/St. Celestine I was born in the Campania and served as a deacon under Innocent I. Elected pope in 422, Celestine confiscated the property of Novationite churches and restored a basilica in St. Mary Travestere after it had been damaged in Alaric's sack of Rome. Although Celestine confirmed the appointment of Nestorius to the see of Constantinople, the pope opposed Nestorius' teachings and supported Cyril of Alexandria in the conflict between the two patriarchs. Celestine also combatted Pelagianism and semi-Pelagianism in southern Gaul and in England. He is supposed to have sent Palladius to evangelize Ireland in 431. Celestine died in the following year and was buried in the cemetary of Priscilla.
Pope Celestine I (Latin: Caelestinus I) (c. 376 – 1 August 432) was the bishop of Rome from 10 September 422 to his death on 1 August 432. Celestine's tenure was largely spent combatting various ideologies deemed heretical. He supported the mission of the Gallic bishops that sent Germanus of Auxerre in 429, to Britain to address Pelagianism, and later commissioned Palladius as bishop to the Scots of Ireland and northern Britain. In 430, he held a synod in Rome which condemned the apparent views of Nestorius.
Saint Brychan of Brycheiniog
Also known as
• Brychan of Brecknock
• Brychan of Breknock
Profile
King in Wales. Relative of Saint Clydog and Saint Dubritius of Llandaff. Father of -
• Almedha
• Canog
• Cledwyn
• Cynfran
• Dingad
• Dogfan
• Dwynwen
• Endellion
• Gladys
• Gwen
• Ilud Ferch Brychan
• Keyna
• Nennoc
• Teath
• Tydfil
• Veep
and nine other saintly children.
Saint Eutychius of Constantinople
Also known as
Eutichio
Profile
The son of Alexander, a general in the imperial Byzantine army of Belisarius. Monk at Amasea in Pontus (in modern Turkey) at age 30. Archimandrite of a monastery in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey). Patriarch of Constantinople from 552, nominated by Justinian the Great and confirmed by Pope Vigilius. With Apollinarius of Alexandria and Domnus III of Antioch, he called and led a council from 5 May to 2 June 553 to deal with the Three-Chapter Controversy, and Eutychius composed the decree against the Chapters. He consecrated the re-building of the Hagia Sophia church in 562.
Beginning in 564, Eutychius came into theological conflict with emperor Justinian who began to believe the Aphthartodocetae who taught that Jesus’s body was incorrupt, not subject to pain, and thus that he was not fully human as well as fully God. Bishop Eutychius began to speak and write against this heresy, which led to his arrest, while celebrating Mass, on 22 January 565. Justinian tried to have a show trial, but Eutychius refused to cooperate, which led to him being exiled for over 12 years.
In October 577, with the support of emperor Justin II, Eutychius was recalled and resumed his seat as patriarch of Constantinople. He was welcomed back to the city by Christians who were so happy to see him that there was a festival and banquets; the Communion line at his first Mass lasted six hours. Toward the end of his life, Eutychius got it into his head that the return of Christ would be spiritual, with no physical return, which is heretical, but he later returned to orthodox thinking on the matter. A surviving biography of his life was written by his chaplain, Eustathius of Constantinople.
Born
c.512 in Theion, Phrygia
Died
6 April 582 in Constantinople (modern Istanbul, Turkey) of natural causes
Saint William of Eskilsoe
Also known as
• William of Aebelhold
• William of Aebelholt
• William of Ebelholt
• William of Eskhill
• William of Eskyll
• William of Ise Fjord
• William of Paris
• William of the Paraclete
Profile
Born to the Gallic upper class. Educated at the cathedral school of Saint Germain. Priest. Canon at the church of Saint Genevieve in Paris, France until c.1170. Widespread reputation for holiness and austerity; his life was so austere that his brother priests harassed him into leaving the city. When Pope Eugene III implemented stricter discipline in 1148, William returned and became sub-prior.
When there was a need for some one to help reform the discipline and liturgical devotion of the Danish monasteries, the bishop sent William. While working at Eskilsoe, he became its abbot, and stayed for 30 years. Faced opposition from lax brothers and local nobles, but never flinched. Founded the abbey of Saint Thomas in Aebelholt, Zeeland. His extensive correspondence has survived, and is a valued source for Danish history of the period.
Born
1125 at Paris, France
Died
• Easter Sunday, 6 April 1203 in Denmark of natural causes
• buried at Aebelholt, Denmark
Canonized
21 January 1224 by Pope Honorius III
Blessed Maria Karlowska
Also known as
Maria of Jesus Crucified
Profile
Born into a large family and pious family, Maria was in her teens when she was orphaned and became an apprentice seamstress in Berlin, Germany. She always had a devotion to the Sacred Heart, and developed a ministry to the sick in the city. Nun. Founder of the Sisters of the Divine Shepherd of Divine Providence (Congregation of the Good Shepherd of the Divine Providence; Good Shepherd Sisters) on 8 September 1896.; the Sisters work for the moral and social rehabilitation of prostitutes, and care for those suffering from venereal diseases. Worked mainly in Plock, Pomerania, which is today part of Poland, as well as Lublin, Torun, Bydgoszcz, Topolno, Pniewite, Jablonowo, Zoledowo.
Born
4 September 1865 in Karlowo, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland
Died
24 March 1935 in Pniewite, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Poland of natural causes
Beatified
6 June 1997 by Pope John Paul II in Zakopane, Poland
Blessed Zefirino Agostini
Also known as
Zephyrinus Agostini
Profile
Oldest son of Antonio Agostini, a physician, and Agela Frattini; his father died when Zefirino was very young. Ordained on 11 March 1837. Curate, youth minister and catechist at Saint Nazarius church for 8 years.
Assigned as priest to a very poor parish in 1845. Established after-school programs for girls, religious instruction for mothers, and education for women. Initiated excited devotion to Saint Angela Merici among his female parishioners, and founded the Pious Union of Sisters Devoted to Saint Angela Merici whose rule was approved by Bishop Ricabona in 1856. On 2 November 1856, he opened his first charitable school for poor girls. After 1860 some of the local women who worked at the school chose community life; Father Agostini prepared the first rule for the community, and on 24 September 1869 the first twelve Ursulines made their profession. On 18 November 1869, they founded the Congregation of Ursulines, Daughters of Mary Immaculate.
Born
24 September 1813 at Verona, Italy
Died
6 April 1896 at Verona, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
25 October 1998 by Pope John Paul II
Blessed Catherine of Pallanza
Also known as
• Catherine Morigi
• Katarina Morigi
• Katarina of Pallanza
Additional Memorial
27 April in the Ambrosian Rite
Profile
Catherine's entire family died of plague when the girl was very young, and she was adopted by a woman in Milan, Italy. At age 14 she felt a call to devote herself to the service of God, and lived 15 years with a group of women hermits in the mountains near Varese, Italy. Noted for her austere lifestyle and personal piety, surviving wholly on irregular gifts of food from spiritual students. She attracted so many would-be students that she agreed to lead a group of five, including Blessed Juliana Puricelli, living under the Augustinian Rule; Pope Sixtus IV approved the community. Known to have the gift of prophecy.
Born
c.1437 in Pallanza, Italy as Catherine Morigi
Died
• 6 April 1478 at Sacra Monte sopra Varese Monastery, Varese, Italy
• relics re-interred in the 1730s in a chapel built in her honour
Beatified
16 September 1769 by Pope Clement XIV (cultus confirmed)
Saint Galla of Rome
Profile
Born to the Roman nobility, the daughter Symmachus the Younger who served as consul in 485; sister-in-law of Boethius. Lay woman, marrying soon after her father's murder, but widowed after a year of marriage; legend says she grew a beard to avoid further offers of marriage. She became a wealthy and pious recluse on Vatican Hill, joining with a community of women near Saint Peter's Basilica, caring for the poor and sick, she founded a convent and hospital. Reputed to have once healed a young deaf and mute girl by blessing some water, and having the girl drink from it.
A brief biography of her was written by Saint Gregory the Great in his Dialogues. Believed to have been the inspiration for Concerning the State of Widowhood written by Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe. An image now above the altar of Santa Maria in Campitelli, Italy and formally housed in a church dedicated to Galla, is thought to have been based on a vision Galla received of Our Lady.
Died
c.550 of breast cancer
Saint Philaret of Calabria
Also known as
• Philaret the Gardener
• Philaret of Ortolano
• Philaret of Seminara
• Filarette, Filarete, Filareto
Profile
Born a Calabrian family who had been forced to emigrate due to Saracen invasion. He returned to Calabria, Italy in 1040, he first lived in Reggio Calabria, then became a monk at the monastery of Saint Elias of Aurlia. He worked as a shepherd, using the solitude for contemplation, and a gardener, giving his produce to the poor and brother monks. The monastery of Saint Elias was later renamed Elias and Filaret in 1133 in his honour.
Born
c.1020 in Palermo, Italy
Died
• dawn of 6 April 1070 in Palmi, Italy of natural causes
• buried in the church at monastery of Saint Elias on Monte Aulinas
• some relics enshrined in the sanctuary museum of Our Lady of the Poor in Seminara, Italy in 1451
Blessed Pierina Morosini
Profile
One of eight children in a poor family in the diocese of Bergamo, Italy. Trained as a seamstress, she began work in a fabric factory at age 15. A pious girl, she had made a private vow of chastity to God, and considered religious life, but continued to live at home to help her mother take care of the remaining children. Catechist. One day as she returned home from work, she was attacked by a would-be rapist, and died a martyr to chastity.
Born
7 January 1931 at Fiobbio di Albino, Italy
Died
on 6 April 1957 of wounds received in a rape attempt at Fiobbio di Albino, Italy
Beatified
4 October 1987 by Pope John Paul II at Rome, Italy
Patronage
rape victims
Blessed Notkar Balbulus
Also known as
• Notkar the Stammerer
• Notkar of Saint Gall
• Notker...
Profile
Benedictine monk. Priest. Poet. Musician. Teacher. Writer. Historian. Hagiographer; wrote a martyrology, a collection of legends, and a metrical biography of Saint Gall. Friend of Saint Tutilo.
Born
c.840 at Elgg, Switzerland
Died
• 8 April 912 at Saint Gall, Switzerland of natural causes
• relics interred under the altar in the church of Saint Gall
Beatified
1512 by Pope Julius II (cultus confirmed)
Patronage
• musicians
• stammering children
Blessed Michele Rua
முத்திபேறுபெற்ற. மிக்காயேல் ரூவா (Michael Rua SDB)
பிறப்பு : 9 ஜூன் 1837 தூரின், இத்தாலி
இறப்பு : 6 ஏப்ரல் 1910 தூரின், இத்தாலி
முத்திபேறு பட்டம்: 29 அக்டோபர் 1972 திருத்தந்தை ஆறாம் பவுல்
இவர் 1837 ஆம் ஆண்டு இத்தாலி நாட்டிலுள்ள தூரின் (Turin) என்ற இடத்தில் ஜூன் 9 ஆம் நாள் பிறந்தார். இவர் தனது 15-ம் வயதில் தனது படிப்புகளை முடித்துவிட்டு, புனித தொன் போஸ்கோ அவர்கள் குருவாக இருந்தபோது, அவரால் தொடங் கப்பட்ட இளைஞரணியில் சேர்ந்தார். அப்போது மிக்காயேல் ரூவாவும், தொன்போஸ்கோவும் நண்பர்கள் ஆனார்கள். 1861 ஆம் ஆண்டு தொன்போஸ்கோ தொடங்கிய சலேசிய சபையில் இளைஞர்களுக்குப் பணியாற்றும் பணியில் ஈடுபட்டார். புனித சலேசிய சபை உருவாவதற்கு தொன்போஸ்கோவிற்கு பெரும ளவில் உதவிசெய்தார். அப்போது இளைஞர்களுக்கு எல்லாவி தங்களிலும் தாயாக இருந்து உதவிசெய்த தொன்போஸ்கோ வின் அம்மா இறந்ததால், இளைஞர்களுக்கு தாய் இல்லை என்ற எண்ணத்தைப் போக்க ரூவா தன் தாயை, இளைஞர்களு க்கு தாயாக இருந்து பணிபுரிய அர்ப்பணித்தார்.
இந்த இளைஞரணியானது திருச்சபையால் அதிகாரப் பூர்வமாக அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட வேண்டுமென்பதை உண ர்ந்து, தொன்போஸ்கோவிற்கு துணையாக, தனது 22-ம் வயதில் 1860 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜூலை 29 ஆம் நாளன்று குருப்பட்டம் பெற்று இளைஞர்களுக்கு ஞானமேய்ப்பராக பணியாற்றினார். அதன் பிறகு தொன்போஸ்கோவிடமிருந்து விலகி சென்று 1885-ல் பார்சிலோனாவில் இளைஞர்களுக்கான சீடத்துவத்தை தொட ங்கினார். தமது 26 ஆம் வயதில் அழகு துணை வால்டோக்கோ (Mirabello) என்ற குழுவை தொடங்கி, அதற்கு முதல்வராக பொறுப்பேற்றார். பின்பு கத்தோலிக்க அவைகளின் மேலாள ராக பணியாற்றினார். 1865 -ல் போஸ்கோ அவர்களால் சலேசிய சபைகளுக்கு துணைமுதல்வராக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டார். பிறகு 1872 ஆம் ஆண்டு கிறித்தவர்களின் சகாயமாதா சபையை தொட ங்கினார். (Daughter of Mary Help of Christians)
1888 ஆம் ஆண்டு தொன்போஸ்கோ இறந்தவுடன் இச்சபையை வழிநடத்தும் பொறுப்பை மிக்கா யேல் ரூவா ஏற்றுக்கொண்டார். பின்பு திருத்தந்தை பதிமூன் றாம் லியோ (Pope Leo XIII) அவர்களால் இச்சபை சலேசிய சபை யாக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. பின்பு உலகம் முழுவதிலும் சென்று இச்சபை தொடங்கப்பட்டது. பிறகு தனது 73ஆம் வயதில் 1910 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஏப்ரல் மாதம் 6 ஆம் நாள் இத்தாலியிலுள்ள தூரின் என்ற நகரில் இறந்தார். தொன்போஸ்கோ இறந்தபோது 57 ஆக இருந்த சபைக்குழுமங்களை (communities) ரூவா 345 சபை க்குழுமங்களாக பெருக்கினார். 773 ஆக இருந்த சலேசியர்களை 4000-மாக பெருக்கினார். 6 ஆக இருந்த சபை மாநிலங்களை 34 மாநிலங்களாக (Provincialate) 33 உலக நாடுகளில் தொடங்கி வைத்தார். இவர் திருத்தந்தை ஆறாம் பவுல் அவர்களால் 1972 ஆம் ஆண்டு அக்டோபர் மாதம் 29 ஆம் நாள் முத்திபேறு பட்டம்(Blessed) கொடுக்கப்பட்டது. இன்று வரை "Don" என்ற பெய ரிலேயேதான் சலேசிய குழுமங்கள் அழைக்கப்படுகின்றது.
Also known as
Michael Rua
Profile
Son of a weapons manufacturer. Attended a Don Bosco Oratory as a boy, and met Saint John. He impressed Don Bosco so much that the future saint sent Michele to college, and made him his assistant in youth work. Priest. Member of the Salesians of Don Bosco. First successor to Saint John Bosco as Superior General of the Salesians; under his leadership the community grew from 700 to 4000 members, from 64 to 341 houses. People who knew him said that he had the gifts of reading hearts, healing and prophecy.
Born
9 June 1837 in Turin, Italy
Died
6 April 1910 in Turin, Italy of natural causes
Beatified
29 October 1972 by Pope Paul VI
Blessed Jan Franciszek Czartoryski
Also known as
• Michal Czartoryski
• Father Michal
Additional Memorial
12 June as one of the 108 Martyrs of World War II
Profile
Civil engineer. Dominican, taking the name Michal. Priest. Executed in the Nazi persecution for ministering to wounded resistance fighters in World War II. Martyr.
Born
19 February 1897 in Pelkinie, Podkarpackie, Poland
Died
shot on 7 September 1944 in the Alfa-Laval field hospital in Warsaw, Poland
Beatified
13 June 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Prudentius of Troyes
புனித_புருடன்சியஸ் (-861)
ஏப்ரல் 06
இவர் (#StPrudentiusOfTroyes) ஸ்பெயின் நாட்டைச் சார்ந்தவர்.
இவருக்குப் பதினைந்து வயது நடக்கும்போது, ஸ்பெயினிலிருந்து தப்பித்து, பிரான்சிஸிற்கு வந்தார். அங்கு இறையியல் படிப்பைப் படித்து அருள்பணியாளர் ஆனார்.
இதன்பிறகு ட்ராய்ஸ் நகரின் ஆயராகத் திருநிலைப்படுத்தப் பட்ட இவர், துறவற வாழ்வில் மறுமலர்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தினார்; நிறைய மாற்றங்களைக் கொண்டு வந்தார்.
இப்படி ஒரு நல்ல ஆயராக இருந்து மறைமாவட்டத்தைக் கட்டியெழுப்பிய இவர் 861 ஆம் ஆண்டு இறையடி சேர்ந்தார்.
Also known as
• Prudentius Galindo
• Galindo...
• Prudencio...
Profile
As a young man, Galindo fled from Spain to France ahead of the Saracen invaders, and there changed his name to Prudentius. Priest. Bishop of Troyes, Nuestra (in modern France). Worked for monastic reform and a return of monastic discipline. Created a combination catechism and breviary based on the Psalms to teach some basics to candidates to the priesthood.
Born
Spain as Galindo
Died
861
Saint Phaolô Lê Bao Tinh
Profile
Convert. Priest in the apostolic vicariate of West Tonkin (in modern Vietnam). Spent a long period in prison for his faith while still a seminarian. Seminary administrator. Wrote a book that compiled a catechism with a collection of homilies. Martyr.
Born
c.1793 in Trinh Hà, Thanh Hoá, Vietnam
Died
beheaded on 6 April 1857 in Bay Mau, Hanoi, Vietnam
Canonized
19 June 1988 by Pope John Paul II
Saint Irenaeus of Sirmium
Profile
Bishop of Sirmium, Pannonia (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). Arrested and tortured in the persecutions of Diocletian, he refused to sacrifice to pagan gods. Ordered drowned for his faith, he objected that as a Christian he should be allowed to bravely face his tormentors and executioners; with God on his side he should be treated as courageous and honourable. Martyred. His Acta has survived to today.
Died
• beheaded in 304 at Sirmium, Pannonia (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia)
• body thrown into the river
Blessed Guglielmo of San Romano
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Mercedarian friar. In 1225, he accompanied Saint Peter Nolasco to Algiers where they freed 219 Christians who had been enslaved by Muslims. As part of that mission, Guglielmo stayed as a hostage to guarantee the payment of the remainder of the ransom for those slaves; he lived there the rest of his life, preaching Christianity to whomever would listen.
Saint Berthanc of Kirkwall
Also known as
• Berthanc of Orcadum
• Berchan, Bertamo, Bertano, Bertham, Berthamus, Berthane, Berthanus, Fer-da-Liethe
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Monk at Iona Abbey in Scotland. Bishop of Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands of Scotland.
Died
• c.840 in Ireland
• buried at Inishmore in Galway Bay, Ireland
Saint Marcellinus the Martyr
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Brother of Saint Agrarius the Martyr. Imperial Roman representative in North Africa. When he opposed the Donatism heresy, he was murdered by Donatists. Martyr.
Died
413 in North Africa
Saint Elstan of Abingdon
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Monk at Abingdon Abbey. Friend and spiritual student of Saint Ethelwold. Known for his humility and his obedience to duty. Bishop of Ramsbury, England. Abbot of Abingdon.
Died
981 in Wilton, England
Saint Agrarius the Martyr
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Brother of Saint Marcellinus the Martyr. Imperial Roman judge in North Africa. When he opposed the Donatism heresy, he was murdered by Donatists. Martyr.
Died
martyred in 413 in North Africa
Saint Gennard
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Educated at the court of Clotaire III. Benedictine monk at Fontenelle Abbey under Saint Wandrille. Abbot of Flay, diocese of Beauvais, France. Spent his last years as a monk and hermit at Fontenelle.
Died
720 of natural causes
Saint Platonides of Ashkelon
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Deaconess. Founded a convent at Nisibis, Mesopotamia. Martyred with two others about whom we know nothing.
Died
308 in Ashkelon (in modern Israel)
Saint Amand of Grisalba
Also known as
• Amand of Bergamo
• Amandus, Amantius, Amatius
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Count of Grisalba, Bergamo, Italy.
Died
6 April 515 of natural causes
Saint Ulched
Also known as
Ulchad, Ylched
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Holy man for whom Llechulched, Anglesey, Wales was named. I have no further information.
Saint Diogenes of Philippi
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Martyr.
Died
345 in Philippi, Macedonia, Greece
Saint Winebald
Also known as
Vinebaud
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Monk and then abbot at Saint-Loup-de-Troyes, France.
Died
c.650
Saint Timothy of Philippi
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Martyr.
Died
345 in Philippi, Macedonia, Greece
Saint Urban of Peñalba
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Abbot of Peñalba Abbey near Astorga, Spain.
Died
c.940
Martyrs of Sirmium
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A group of fourth century martyrs at Sirmium, Pannonia (modern Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). We know little more than seven of their names - Florentius, Geminianus, Moderata, Romana, Rufina, Saturus and Secundus.
Martyred in the Spanish Civil War
Thousands of people were murdered in the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Spanish Civil War from 1934 to 1939. I have pages on each of them, but in most cases I have only found very minimal information. They are available on the CatholicSaints.Info site through these links:
• Enric Gispert Domenech
• Josep Gomis Martorell
