2 January
THE Octave of St. Stephen, the first martyr.—At Rome, the commemoration of many holy martyrs, who, despising the edict of the emperor Diocletian, which ordered that the sacred books should be delivered up, preferred to surrender themselves to the executioners rather than to give holy things to dogs.—At Antioch, the passion of blessed Isidore, bishop.—At Tomis, in Pontus, in the time of the emperor Licinius, three holy brothers, Argeus, Narcissus, and the young man Marcellinus. This last, being enrolled among the new soldiers, and refusing to serve, was beaten almost to death, and for a long time kept in prison. Being finally cast into the sea, he finished his martyrdom; but his brothers were beheaded.—At Milan, St. Martinian, bishop. —In Nitria, in Egypt, blessed Isidore, bishop and confessor.—The same day, St. Siridion, bishop.—In Thebais, St. Macarius of Alexandria, abbot.
And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors and holy virgins.
Thanks be to God.