7 July
THE holy bishops Cyril and Methodius, who are mentioned on the 9th of March.—At Rome, the holy martyrs Claudius, notary, Nicostratus, assistant prefect, Castorius, Victorinus, and Symphorian, who were brought to the faith of Christ by St. Sebastian, and baptized by the blessed priest Polycarp. Whilst they were engaged in searching for the bodies of the holy martyrs, the judge Fabian had them arrested, and for ten days he tried by threats and caresses to shake their constancy, but being utterly unable to succeed, he ordered them to be thrice tortured, and then precipitated into the sea.—At Durazzo, in Macedonia, the holy martyrs Peregrinus, Lucian, Pompeius, Hesychius, Papius, Saturninus, and Germanus, natives of Italy. In the persecution of Trajan, they took refuge in the town of Durazzo, where seeing the saintly bishop Astius hanging on a cross for the faith of Christ, they publicly declared themselves to be Christians, when, by order of the governor, they were arrested and cast into the sea.— At Perugia, blessed Benedict XI., a native of Treviso of the Order of Preachers, who in the brief space of his pontificate, greatly promoted the peace of the Church, the restoration of discipline and the spread. of religion.—At Alexandria, the birthday of St. Pantaenus, an apostolic man, filled with wisdom. He had such an affection and love for the word of God, and was so inflamed with the ardor of faith and devotion, that he set out to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles inhabiting the farthest recesses of the East. At length returning to Alexandria, he rested in peace, under Antoninus Caracalla. —At Brescia, St. Apollonius, bishop and confessor.—In Saxony, St. Willibald, first bishop of Eichstadt, who labored with St. Boniface in preaching the Gospel, and converted many nations to Christ.— At Clermont, in Auvergne, St. Illidius, bishop.—At Urgel, in Spain, St. Odo, bishop.—In England, St. Hedda, bishop of the West-Saxons.—At Gray, in Burgundy, blessed Peter Fourier, Canon Regular of the most holy Saviour, renowned for virtues and miracles.—In England, St. Edelburga, virgin, daughter of an English king.
And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors and holy virgins.
Thanks be to God.