4 January
THE Octave of the Holy Innocents.—In Crete, the birthday of St. Titus, who was consecrated bishop of that island by the apostle St. Paul. After having faithfully performed the duty of preaching the Gospel, he reached the end of his blessed life, and was buried in the church of which he had been made a worthy minister by the holy apostle.—At Rome, in the reign of the impious Julian, the holy martyrs Priscus, priest, Priscillian, cleric, and Benedicta, a religious woman, who ended their martyrdom by the sword.—Also, at Rome, under the same emperor, blessed Dafrosa, wife of the martyr St. Flavian. After her husband had been killed, she was first banished, and then beheaded.—At Bologna, the Saints Hermes, Aggoeus, and Caius, martyrs, who suffered under the emperor Maximian.—At Adrumetum, in Africa, in the persecution of Severus, the commemoration of St. Mavilus, martyr, who, being condemned by the most cruel president Scapula to be devoured by wild beasts, received the crown of martyrdom. —Also, in Africa, the most renowned martyrs Aquilinus, Geminus, Eugenius, Marcian, Quinctus, Theodotus, and Tryphon.—At Langres, St. Gregory, a bishop renowned for miracles.—At Rheims, in France, St. Rigobertus, bishop and confessor.
And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors and holy virgins.
Thanks be to God.