23 July
THE birthday of the holy bishop Apollinaris, who was consecrated at Rome by the apostle Peter, and sent to Ravenna, where he endured for the faith of Christ many different tribulations. He afterwards preached the Gospel in Emilia, where he converted many from the worship of idols. Finally, returning to Ravenna, he terminated his confession of Christ by a glorious martyrdom under the Caesar Vespasian.—At Le Mans, in France, St. Liborius, bishop and confessor.—At Rome, St. Rasyphus, martyr.—In the same city, the martyrdom of St. Primitiva, virgin and martyr.—Also, the holy martyrs Apollonius and Eugenius.—The same day, the birthday of the holy martyrs Trophimus and Theophilus. who received their crown of martyrdom by being beaten with stones, scorched with fire, and finally struck with the sword, in the time of the emperor Diocletian.—In Bulgaria, many holy martyrs whom the impious emperor Nicephorus, whilst he was devastating the churches of God, put to death in various ways: by the sword, the halter, arrows, long imprisonment, and starvation.—At Rome, the saintly virgins Romula, Redempta, and Herundines, mentioned by pope St. Gregory in his writings.—In the same city, the departure from this life of St. Bridget, widow, whose sacred body was taken to Sweden on the 7th of October. Her feast is celebrated on the 8th of that month.
And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors and holy virgins.
Thanks be to God.