- December 3, 2023
2024 Spring On-Air Appeal – May 6-10 – Call 1-877-711-8500!
2024 Spring On-Air Appeal – May 6-10 – Call 1-877-711-8500!
Spyridon, or Spiridion, was a humble shepherd on the island of Cyprus, born in the late third century. He and his wife had one daughter, but after his wife passed away, Spyridon entered a monastery, and his daughter Irene entered a convent. Eventually Spyridon became bishop of a tiny Cyprian diocese, where he maintained a humble lifestyle and devoted much time and treasure to charity. Though he was not martyred, he suffered greatly during a time of persecution, having his right eye put out and left side mutilated before being made to work in a mine until the persecution lifted. He later attended the Council of Nicaea, where he was a prominent defender of Catholic dogma against the Arian heresy. Spyridon also spoke in defense of St. Athanasius when that holy bishop was persecuted for his orthodoxy. Spyridon died not long afterwards, in the year of Our Lord 348. He is regarded as the patron saint of potters for his use of pottery in discussing the doctrine of the Trinity, much like St. Patrick’s apocryphal shamrock.
AT Alexandria, the holy martyrs Heron, Arsenius, Isidore and Dioscorus, a boy. In the persecution of Decius, the first three were subjected to all the refinements of cruelty by the judge, who, seeing them displaying the same constancy, ordered that they should be cast into the fire. But Dioscorus, after repeated scourgings, was set free through the intervention of Providence for the consolation of the faithful.
At Antioch, the birthday of the holy martyrs Drusus, Zosimus and Theodore.
The same day, the martyrdom of the Saints Justus and Abundius, who were cast into the flames in the time of the emperor Numerian and the governor Olybrius; but having escaped uninjured, they were struck with the sword.
At Rheims, the holy bishop Nicasius, his sister, the virgin Eutropia, and their companions, martyrs, who were put to death by barbarians hostile to the Church.
In the island of Cyprus, the birthday of blessed Spiridion, bishop. He was one of those confessors who were condemned to labor in the mines, after the plucking out of their right eye and the severing of the sinews of the left knee. This prelate was renowned for the gift of prophecy and glorious miracles, and in the council of Nicaea he confounded a heathen philosopher who insulted the Christian religion and brought him to the faith.
At Bergamo, St. Viator, bishop and confessor.
At Pavia, St. Pompey, bishop.
At Naples, in Campania, St. Agnellus, abbot. Illustrious by the gift of miracles, he was often seen with the standard of the cross delivering the city besieged by enemies.
At Ubeda, in Spain, St. John of the Cross, confessor, companion of St. Theresa in reforming the Carmelites. His feast is kept on the 24th of November.
At Milan, St. Matronian, hermit.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.
