இன்றைய புனிதர்கள் அக்டோபர் 4

 Saint Francis of Assisi

 அசிசியின் புனிதர் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் 

மறைப்பணியாளர்; திருத்தொண்டர்; ஒப்புரவாளர்; அருள் வடுவுற்றவர்; சபை நிறுவனர்:

பிறப்பு: கி.பி. 1181/ 1182

அசிசி, ஸ்போலெடோ, தூய ரோம பேரரசு

இறப்பு: அக்டோபர் 3, 1226 (வயது 44)

அசிசி, ஊம்ப்ரியா, திருத்தந்தையர் மாநிலங்கள்

ஏற்கும் சமயம்:

ரோமன் கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

ஆங்கிலிக்கன் சமூகம்

லூதரன் திருச்சபை

பழைய கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை

புனிதர் பட்டம்: ஜூலை 16, 1228

திருத்தந்தை ஒன்பதாம் கிரகோரி

முக்கிய திருத்தலங்கள்:

அசிசியின் தூய ஃபிரான்சிஸ் பேராலயம்

நினைவுத் திருவிழா: அக்டோபர் 4

பாதுகாவல்:

விலங்குகள், சுற்றுச்சூழல், இத்தாலி, வியாபாரிகள், சாரணர்கள், 

சான் ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கோ (San Francisco), கலிஃபோர்னியா (California), 

நாகா சிட்டி (Naga City), செபு (Cebu), ஓவியத்திரை தொழிலாளர்கள்.

அசிசியின் ஃபிரான்சிஸ், ஒரு கத்தோலிக்க கிறிஸ்தவத் திருத்தொண்டரும், ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் சபை என்னும் கிறிஸ்தவ துறவற அமைப்பை நிறுவியவரும் ஆவார். அவர் பிறந்த ஆண்டு கி.பி. 1181ம் ஆண்டு, அல்லது கி.பி.1182 என்று கூறுவர். அவர் இறந்த ஆண்டும் நாளும் உறுதியாகத் தெரிவதால் அதிலிருந்து பின்னோக்கிக் கணித்து அவரது பிறந்த ஆண்டை வரலாற்றாசிரியர்கள் நிர்ணயிக்கின்றனர். திருத்தொண்டராகப் பட்டம் பெற்றபின்னர், “குருத்துவ பட்டம்” பெற தாம் தகுதியற்றவர் என்று தாழ்ச்சி உணர்வுடையவராக, ஃபிரான்சிஸ் அப்பட்டத்தைப் பெற முன்வரவில்லை.

வரலாற்று ஆதாரங்கள்:

புனிதர் அசிசியின் ஃபிரான்சிசின் வாழ்க்கை வரலாறு பற்றிய தகவல்களுக்குப் பல சான்றுகள் உள்ளன. கி.பி. 12-13ம் நூற்றாண்டுகளில் அவர் வாழ்ந்திருந்த போதிலும் அவர் உரைத்த சொற்கள் பதிவு செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன. அவர் நிறுவிய சபைக்கு அவர் வழங்கிய ஒழுங்குகள் உள்ளன. அவர் எழுதிய இறுதி சாசனம் உள்ளது. அவர் எழுதிய கடிதங்கள், கவிதைகள், வழிபாடு பற்றிய எழுத்துப் படையல்கள் போன்றவையும் உள்ளன. ஃபிரான்சிஸ் இறந்த இருபது ஆண்டுகளுக்குள்ளாக அவரைப் பற்றிய வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்று ஏடுகள் தோன்றலாயின. அவரைப் பின்பற்றிய அவர்தம் சீடர்கள் பலர் அவரது வரலாற்றை எழுதினர். அவர்களுள் சகோதரர்கள் செலானோ தோமா, லியோ, ஆஞ்செலொ, ருஃபீனோ ஆகியோரைக் குறிப்பிடலாம். மேலும் பல பிரான்சிஸ்கன் துறவியர் ஃபிரான்சிசோடு தமக்கு ஏற்பட்ட அனுபவங்களையும், அவரது போதனை, வாழ்க்கை நிகழ்வுகளையும் சேர்த்தனர். இத்தகைய வரலாற்று ஆதாரங்களின் அடிப்படையில் புனித ஃபிரான்சிஸ் பற்றிய பல விவரங்கள் உறுதியாகத் தெரிகின்றன. ஃபிரான்சிஸ் வாழ்ந்த கி.பி. 12-13ம் நூற்றாண்டுகளிலும், அதற்குப் பின்னும் இன்று வரை எண்ணிறந்த மனிதர்கள் இந்த "அசிசியின் ஏழை மனிதரின்" (Poor Man of Assisi) எளிய வாழ்க்கையையும், இயற்கை அன்பையும், கடவுள் பக்தியையும் போற்றி வந்துள்ளனர். கத்தோலிக்க திருச்சபை தவிர எதிர் திருச்சபைகள் - குறிப்பாக ஆங்கிலிக்கம், லூதரனியம் ஆகிய திருச்சபைகளும், எல்லா சமயத்தவரும் இவரை மாபெரும் மனிதராகவும் புனிதராகவும் ஏற்கின்றனர்.

இளமைப் பருவம்:

இளைஞராக இருந்தபோது ஃபிரான்சிஸுக்கு ஃபிரெஞ்சு மொழியில் கவிஞராக வேண்டும் என்ற ஆசை இருந்ததாகச் சிலர் கூறுகின்றனர். அசிசியில் புனித ஜோர்ஜ் பங்குக்கோவிலில் அவர் சிறிது கல்வி பயின்றார். ஆனால் அவர் படிப்பில் மிகுந்த ஆர்வம் காட்டவில்லை, தம் தந்தையின் தொழிலாகிய வாணிகத்தில் மனதார ஈடுபடவுமில்லை. இவரது வரலாற்றை எழுதியவர்கள் இவரது பகட்டான உடைகள், பணக்கார நண்பர்கள், தெருச் சண்டைகள், உலகப் போக்கை விரும்பும் இயல்பு ஆகியவை பற்றிக் குறிப்பிட்டிருக்கின்றனர். மேல்தட்டு இளைஞர்களோடு சுற்றித் திரிவதிலும், வீர சாகசம் புரிவதிலும் ஆர்வம் காட்டினார். நடுத்தர வர்க்கமாகிய வணிகர் பிரிவைச் சார்ந்த ஃபிரான்சிஸ் உயர்குடி மக்களைப் போல ஆடம்பர வாழ்க்கை நடத்த விருப்பமுடையவராய் இருந்தார். 

கி.பி. 1201ம் ஆண்டில் பெரூஜியா (Perugia) நகருக்கு எதிராகப் போரிடும்படி ஃபிரான்சிஸ் படையில் சேர்ந்தார். காலெஸ்ட்ராடாவில் நடந்த போரில் எதிரிகளிடம் பிடிபட்ட இவர் ஓராண்டு கைதியாக இருக்க நேரிட்டது. இந்த அனுபவத்தில் இருந்தே படிப்படியாகப் ஃபிரான்சிஸுக்கு ஆன்மிக மாற்றம் ஏற்பட்டதாகத் தெரிகிறது. எனினும், கி.பி. 1203ம் ஆண்டில் அசிசிக்குத் திரும்பிய ஃபிரான்சிஸ் மீண்டும் தனது பழைய வாழ்க்கை முறைக்கே திரும்பினார். கி.பி. 1205ம் ஆண்டிலும் அவருக்கு ஓர் திருக்காட்சி அனுபவம் கிடைத்ததாகத் தெரிகிறது. அதன்பின், ஃபிரான்சிஸ் தம் பழைய வாழ்க்கை முறையை மாற்றத் தொடங்கினார். இயேசுவைப் பின்பற்றி, ஃபிரான்சிஸும் ஓர் ஏழை மனிதராக வாழ விரும்பினார். ஃபிரான்சிஸ் தனிமையை நாடிச் சென்று நீண்ட நேரம் செலவிட்டார். கடவுளை நோக்கி வேண்டல் செய்து, தம் உள்ளத்தில் இறை ஒளியைப் பாய்ச்ச வேண்டும் என்று மன்றாடினார்.

துறவற சபைகளை நிறுவுதல்:

கி.பி. 1209ம் ஆண்டு, 12 இளையோருடன், "சிறு சகோதரர்கள்" என்ற சபையை ஆரம்பித்தார். ஃபிரான்சிஸ், திருத்தந்தை மூன்றாம் இன்னொசென்டை அணுகித் தம் குழுவை ஒரு துறவற சபையாக அங்கீகரித்து ஏற்க வேண்டும் என்று கேட்டுக்கொண்டார். திருத்தந்தை, கி.பி. 1210ம் ஆண்டு, ஃபிரான்சிஸ்கன் சபைக்கு அதிகாரப்பூர்வமான இசைவு வழங்கினார். பின்னர், ஃபிரான்சிஸ் கி.பி. 1212ம் ஆண்டு, கிளாரா என்ற பெண்மணியோடு சேர்ந்து பெண்களுக்கான ஒரு துறவற சபையையும், கி.பி. 1221ம் ஆண்டு, மேலும் தவ முயற்சிகளை மேற்கொள்ளும் பொதுநிலை சகோதர சகோதரிகளுக்கென்று "மூன்றாம் சபை" என்று அழைக்கப்பட்ட ஒரு அமைப்பையும் ஆரம்பித்தார்.

இறப்பு:

தாம் இறப்பதற்கு முந்தின நாள் மாலை நேரம் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் தம் சகோதரர்களிடம் அப்பம் கொண்டுவரச் சொன்னார். அவரோடு கூட இருந்த சகோதரர்கள் ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் அப்பத்திலிருந்து ஒரு சிறு துண்டைப் பிட்டுக் கொடுத்தார். இயேசு, தாம் துன்பங்கள் அனுபவித்து, சிலுவையில் அறையுண்டு உயிர்துறந்தற்கு முந்தின நாள் தம் சீடர்களோடு பந்தியமர்ந்து, அவர்களோடு அப்பத்தைப் பகிர்ந்துகொண்டது போலவே ஃபிரான்சிஸும் செய்ய விரும்பினார். அப்பத்தைப் பகிர்ந்துகொண்டதும் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் தம் சகோதரர்கள் ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் இறுதி ஆசி வழங்கினார். "உலகில் நான் செய்ய வேண்டிய பணி முடிந்தது. நீங்கள் ஆற்ற வேண்டிய பணி யாதென்று உங்களுக்கு இயேசு கிறித்து கற்பிப்பாராக" என்று கூறினார். ஏழ்மையைத் தம் வாழ்க்கைத் துணையாக ஏற்றுக்கொண்ட பிரான்சிசு தமக்கென்று தாம் உடுத்த எளிய மேலாடையைக் கூட வைத்திருக்க விரும்பவில்லை. எனவே தம் ஆடையை அகற்றச் சொன்னார். பின்னர் தரையில் தம்மைக் கிடத்தச் சொன்னார். கடன் வாங்கிய ஒரு துணியால் அவரது உடலை மறைத்தனர். அனைத்தையும் துறந்த மனிதராக, ஏழையாக இவ்வுலகை விட்டுப் பிரிய விரும்பினார் ஃபிரான்சிஸ். அன்று சனிக்கிழமை, கி.பி. 1226ம் ஆண்டு, அக்டோபர் மாதம், 3ம் நாள் இரவு. சூரியன் சாய்ந்தபின் மறுநாள் தொடங்குவதாகக் கணக்கிடுவதால் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் அக்டோபர் மாதம், 4ம் நாள் இறந்தார் என்று கணிப்பர். அப்போது ஃபிரான்சிஸுக்கு வயது 45. அவர் இயேசுவின் குரலுக்குச் செவிமடுத்து, இயேசுவை முற்றிலுமாகப் பின்சென்று வாழ்ந்திட முடிவு செய்து, மனமாற்றம் அடைந்த 12ம் ஆண்டு. அந்த நாளில் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் மரித்தார். இன்று, அசிசியின் புனிதர் ஃபிரான்சிஸ் உலகெங்கிலும் போற்றப்படுகின்ற சமயத் தலைவர்களுள் சிறப்பிடம் பெறும் ஒருவராகத் திகழ்கின்றார்.

Also known as

• Francis Bernardone

• il Poverello

Profile

Son of Pietro Bernadone, a rich cloth merchant. Though he had a good education and became part of his father's business, he also had a somewhat misspent youth. Street brawler and some-time soldier. Captured during a conflict between Assisi and Perugia, Italy, he spent over a year as a prisoner of war. During this time he had a conversion experience, including a reported message from Christ calling him to leave this worldly life. Upon release, Francis began taking his faith seriously.

He took the Gospels as the rule of his life, Jesus Christ as his literal example. He dressed in rough clothes, begged for his sustenance, and preached purity and peace. His family disapproved, and his father disinherited him; Francis formally renounced his wealth and inheritance. He visited hospitals, served the sick, preached in the streets, and took all men and women as siblings. He began to attract followers in 1209, and with papal blessing, founded the Franciscans based on a simple statment by Jesus: "Leave all and follow me." In 1212 Clare of Assisi became his spiritual student, which led to the founding of the Poor Clares. Visited and preached to the Saracens. Composed songs and hymns to God and nature. Lived with animals, worked with his hands, cared for lepers, cleaned churches, and sent food to thieves. In 1221 he resigned direction of the Franciscans.

While in meditation on Mount Alvernia in the Apennines in September 1224, Francis received the stigmata, which periodically bled during the remaining two years of his life. This miracle has a separate memorial on 17 September.

In the Middle Ages people who believed to be possessed by Beelzebub especially called upon the intercession of Saint Francis, the theory being that he was the demon's opposite number in heaven.

Born

1181 at Assisi, Umbria, Italy as Francis Bernardone

Died

• 4 October 1226 at Portiuncula, Italy of natural causes

• relics in Assisi, Italy

Canonized

16 July 1228 by Pope Gregory IX

Blessed Enrique Morant Pellicer

Additional Memorial

22 September as one of the Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War

Profile

Born to a deeply religious family, Enrique attended a Catholic high school in Gandia, Spain, began studying architecture in Madrid, Spain, but finally gave in to a call to the priesthood. Ordained in the archdiocese of Valencia, Spain in 1933. Parish priest in Barig where he revitalized parish life, started a library and choir, and concentrated on youth ministry. Brought Catholic Action to the area. When the anti–Christian persecutions of the Spanish Civil War began in 1936, he had to give up parish life, and worked in administration in Valencia. When the persecutions began in earnest there, he withdrew to live with his family. At 11am on 3 October 1936, he was arrested for the crime of priesthood, given a “trial”, admitted his vocation, and later in the evening executed. Martyr.

Born

13 October 1908 in Bellreguard, Valencia, Spain

Died

shot in the evening of 3 October 1936 in Xeraco, Valencia, Spain

Beatified

11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II

Blessed José Canet Ginet

Additional Memorial

22 September as one of the Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War

Profile

Born to a poor family. Studied at the seminary in Valencia, Spain. Ordained a priest in the archdiocese of Valencia, Spain in 1930. Parish priest in Catamarruch and Margarida; in both places he revitalized parish life, and developed a ministry to the poor and prisoners. Helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Father José withdrew to live with his parents, but was located, arrested by anti–Catholic militia, and executed. Martyr.

Born

24 August 1903 in Bellreguard, Valencia, Spain

Died

shot on 4 October 1936 in La Pedrera de Gandía, Valencia, Spain

Beatified

11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II

Saint Ammon the Great

Also known as

• Amon the Anchorite

• Ammonius, Amun

Profile

Wealthy, married layman. He and his wife lived as brother and sister for 18 years, then each entered religious life. Ammon was one of the earliest and greatest desert monks, living in a cell on Mount Nitria. His reputation for holiness spread, and he attracted over 4,000 spiritual students. Known for his extraordinary fasts, he ate only once every three or four days.

Born

c.286 in Mariotis, Egypt

Died

• c.348 in Scetis, Egypt of natural causes

• a brother monk named Anthony saw Ammon's soul ascend to heaven from his own cell, 13 miles away

Saint Petronius of Bologna

Also known as

• Petronius Vescovo

• Petronius the Bishops

• Petronio....

Profile

Son of a Praetorian Prefect in Gaul, and may have been a Roman official himself. Pilgrim to the Holy Lands and the ascetics in Palestine in his youth. Bishop of Bologna, Italy. Built the monastery of Saint Stephen in Bologna; it was modeled on the holy places of Jerusalem. A fictional version of his life was popular in the Middle Ages.

Died

c.445 of natural causes

Saint Quintius of Tours

Also known as

Quentin, Quintino

Profile

Worked in the court of the king of the Franks. When the queen tried to seduce him, Quintius refused, explaining that his faith prohibited adultery; angered at the rejection, she had Quintius murdered.

Born

Tours, France

Died

c.570 at L'Indrois near Montresor, France

Saint Damaris of Athens

Profile

One of the people who heard Saint Paul the Apostle speak at the Areopagus in Athens, Greece (Acts 17:34). Convert. Married to Saint Dionysius the Areopagite.

Born

Athens, Greece

Saint Aurea of Paris

Profile

Immigrated from Syria to France. Nun. Served as abbess of Saint Martial in Paris, France for 33 years. Died with 160 of her sisters during a plague epidemic.

Born

Syria

Died

• 666 of plague

• buried in the church of Saint Paul outside the city walls of Paris, France

Martyrs of Alexandria

Profile

A group of Christians, men and women, young and old, murdered together for their faith. The only names that have come down to us are the brothers Mark and Marcian.

Died

Alexandria, Egypt

Blessed Alfonso Tabela

Blessed Alfonso Tabela was a Portuguese priest and Franciscan friar who lived from 1480 to 1550. He was known for his holiness of life and his devotion to the Eucharist.

Alfonso was born in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, in 1480. He entered the Franciscan Order at a young age and was ordained a priest in 1510. He spent most of his life serving as a pastor in various parishes in Portugal.

Alfonso was known for his simple and humble lifestyle. He was also known for his compassion for the poor and the sick. He was often seen visiting the sick and giving them alms.

Alfonso had a great devotion to the Eucharist. He would often spend hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. He was also known for his frequent preaching on the Eucharist.

Alfonso died in 1550 in the town of Lamego, Portugal. He was beatified by Pope Clement XII in 1722. His feast day is celebrated on October 4.

Saint Callisthene

Profile

Daughter of Saint Adauctus. Following his martyrdom, she devoted her life to charity. Surrounded by the death of the faithful, she somehow lived through the persecutions of Emperor Maximinus.

Died

4th century of natural causes

Saint Crispus of Corinth

Also known as

• Crispus of Aegina

• Crispo....

Profile

Convert, baptized by Saint Paul the Apostle. Leader of the synagogue in Corinth, Greece. First bishop of the island of Aegina. Martyr.

Saint Peter of Damascus

Profile

Bishop of Damascus, Syria when the region was conquered by Muslims. He continued to preach Christianity. Imprisoned, tortured, blinded, crucified and executed. Martyr.

Died

beheaded in 750 in Syria

Saint Caius of Corinth

Also known as

• Caius of Thessalonica

• Gaius....

Profile

Convert from Corinth, Greece, baptized by Saint Paul the Apostle. First bishop of Thessalonica. Martyr.

Caius of Thessalonica is a figure mentioned in the New Testament as one of Paul's companions on his third missionary journey (Acts 20:4). He is also mentioned in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic tradition as the first bishop of the church of Thessalonica.

However, it is important to note that there is some debate among scholars about whether the Caius of Acts 20:4 is the same person as the Caius of Thessalonica mentioned in tradition. Some scholars argue that the two figures are distinct, while others argue that they are the same person.

There is no clear consensus on this issue, and it is likely that we will never know for certain whether the Caius of Acts 20:4 is the same person as the Caius of Thessalonica. However, it is interesting to note that both figures are associated with Paul and the early Christian church.

Regardless of whether the Caius of Acts 20:4 is the same person as the Caius of Thessalonica, he is still an important figure in the history of the early church. He was a close companion of Paul and helped to spread the Christian faith throughout the Roman Empire.

Blessed Julian Majali

Profile

Benedictine monk at San Martino delle Scale monastery in Sicily. Abbot. Hermit in 1464. Highly regarded by kings and popes.

Died

1470

Saint Adauctus

Profile

Layman. Father of Saint Callisthene. Martyred in the persecutions of Emperor Maximinus.

Born

at Ephesus

Died

martyred c.312

Saint Lucius of Alexandria

Profile

Saint Lucius of Alexandria was a Christian martyr who was killed in the persecutions of Valerian in 257 AD. He is commemorated on October 4th by the Coptic Orthodox Church.

There is very little information known about Saint Lucius of Alexandria. It is believed that he was a bishop, but there is no record of which see he led. He was likely martyred in Alexandria, Egypt, during the wave of persecution that was ordered by the Roman emperor Valerian. Saint Lucius of Alexandria is revered by the Coptic Orthodox Church as a martyr and saint. He is a symbol of the courage and faith of the early Christians who were willing to die for their beliefs. Saint Lucius of Alexandria is not to be confused with Lucius of Alexandria, the Arian bishop who was installed as Patriarch of Alexandria in 363 AD.

Died

in 257 at Alexandria, Egypt

Saint Berenice

Profile

Saint Berenice was a Christian martyr who lived in Antioch, Syria, in the 4th century AD. She was the daughter of Domnina, a wealthy and well-known Christian noblewoman.

Berenice and her mother were both devout Christians. When the Diocletianic Persecution began in 303 AD, they were forced to flee Antioch. They eventually settled in Edessa, Mesopotamia, where they continued to practice their faith openly.

In 304 AD, Berenice and her mother were arrested by the Roman authorities. They were tortured and imprisoned for refusing to renounce their faith. Berenice eventually died in prison, along with her mother and sister, Prosdoce.

Saint Berenice is venerated as a martyr by both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Her feast day is celebrated on October 4th.

Died

c.303 in Syria

Saint Prosdoce

Profile

Saint Prosdoce was a Christian martyr who lived in Antioch, Syria, in the 4th century AD. She was the daughter of Domnina, a wealthy and well-known Christian noblewoman, and the sister of Berenice.

Prosdoce and her mother and sister were devout Christians. When the Diocletianic Persecution began in 303 AD, they were forced to flee Antioch. They eventually settled in Edessa, Mesopotamia, where they continued to practice their faith openly.

In 304 AD, Prosdoce and her mother and sister were arrested by the Roman authorities. They were tortured and imprisoned for refusing to renounce their faith. Prosdoce eventually died in prison, along with her mother and sister.

Saint Prosdoce is venerated as a martyr by both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Her feast day is celebrated on October 4th.

Died

c.303 in Syria

Saint Diogenes of Milan

Also known as

Theotecnus

Saint Diogenes of Milan was a Christian martyr who lived in Milan, Italy, in the 4th century AD. He was a member of the household of Senator Eustorgius, and was converted to Christianity by his master.

When the Diocletianic Persecution began in 303 AD, Diogenes was arrested for refusing to renounce his faith. He was tortured and imprisoned, but he remained steadfast in his beliefs. He was eventually beheaded, along with his master and several other Christians.

Saint Diogenes of Milan is venerated as a martyr by both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. His feast day is celebrated on October 4th.

Died

Milan, Lombardy, Italy

Saint Domnina

Profile

Saint Domnina of Antioch was a Christian martyr who lived in Antioch, Syria, in the 4th century AD. She was the mother of Berenice and Prosdoce, who were also martyred.

Domnina and her daughters were devout Christians. When the Diocletianic Persecution began in 303 AD, they were forced to flee Antioch. They eventually settled in Edessa, Mesopotamia, where they continued to practice their faith openly.

In 304 AD, Domnina and her daughters were arrested by the Roman authorities. They were tortured and imprisoned for refusing to renounce their faith. Domnina eventually died in prison, along with her daughters.

Died

c.303 in Syria

Saint Hierotheus

"Saint Hierotheus, also known as Hierotheus the Thesmothete, was a 1st-century Christian bishop of Athens. He was one of the first converts of Saint Paul in Athens, and he is credited with helping to establish the Christian church in the city. 

Hierotheus was a member of the Athenian Areopagus, a council of elders that was responsible for the administration of justice in the city. He was converted to Christianity by Paul during Paul's second missionary journey, and he was ordained a bishop by Paul.

Hierotheus is a significant figure in the early history of Christianity. He is mentioned in the writings of Dionysius the Areopagite, who was also a convert of Paul. Dionysius describes Hierotheus as a wise and learned man who was a great teacher of the Christian faith.

Hierotheus is also the author of two important works of Christian theology, "Outlines of Theology" and "Hymns of Love." These works are still studied by scholars today.

Hierotheus is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is celebrated on October 4."

Dionysius Exiguus

Dionysius Exiguus (c. 470 – c. 544) was a 6th-century Eastern Roman monk born in Scythia Minor. He is best known as the inventor of Anno Domini (AD) dating, which is used to number the years of both the Gregorian calendar and the (Christianised) Julian calendar.

Dionysius was a skilled mathematician and astronomer, and he was also well versed in the Holy Scriptures and canon law. He is credited with a number of important works, including:

A collection of 401 ecclesiastical canons, including the Apostolic Canons and the decrees of the councils of Nicaea, Constantinople, Chalcedon, and Sardis.

A collection of the decretals of the popes from St. Siricius (384–399) to Anastasius II (496–498).

A new Easter table, which was more accurate than previous tables and was widely adopted throughout the Christian world.

Dionysius's most important contribution, however, was his invention of Anno Domini dating. AD dating is based on the assumption that Jesus Christ was born in the year 1 AD. Dionysius arrived at this date by using a variety of sources, including the Bible and the writings of early Christian historians.

Finan of Teach Oirthir

Finan of Teach Oirthir (also known as Finian of Teach Oirthir or Fíonán of Teach Oirthir) was a 5th-century Irish saint. He is believed to have been the founder of the church at Teach Oirthir, an unidentified place in the barony of Narragh and Reban in County Kildare, Ireland.

Finan is mentioned in two hagiographies: the Life of Saint Patrick and the Life of Saint Fintan of Clonenagh. In the Life of Saint Patrick, Finan is said to have warned Patrick of a plot to assassinate him. In the Life of Saint Fintan, Finan is praised as a good and famous man who gave up worldly possessions and died in holiness.

Finan is not mentioned in any other sources, but he was well-known to the genealogists, who linked him to the Uí Earcáin branch of the Fothairt clan. Since Saint Brigid of Ireland also belonged to the Fothairt, it is not surprising to find a Finan among the saints who were said to have been subject to Kildare, along with two unnamed sisters and two otherwise unknown daughters of a man named Díbheachán, Finneach and Moinis.

A Fiontan who was attributed to Tippeenan (Teach Fíonáin) in the parish of Fontstown in Kildare in a papal document from the early 16th century may be this Finan. In 17th-century sources, Finan is given several possible feast days. In the list for October 4, he is accompanied by a Mofhíonóg, who may be the "Moenóc" of Glassely (Glais Éile) in the parish of Narraghmore, which borders Moone.

Martyred in the Spanish Civil War

• Blessed Alfredo Pellicer Muñoz

• Blessed Avelí Martínez de Arenzana Candela

• Blessed Dionisio Ibáñez López

• Blessed Francisco Martínez Granero

• Blessed Fulgencio Martínez García

• Blessed José Aloy Doménech

• Blessed José Gafo Muñiz

• Blessed José Miguel Peñarroya Dolz

• Blessed Juan de Francisco Pío

• Blessed Juan José Orayen Aizcorbe

• Blessed Martina Vázquez Gordo

• Blessed Publio Fernández González

• Blessed Tomás Barrios Pérez