29 August
THE beheading of St. John the Baptist, who was put to death by Herod about the feast of Easter. However, the solemn commemoration takes place today, when his venerable head was found for the second time. It was afterwards solemnly carried to Rome, where it is kept in the church of St. Silvester, near Campo Marzio, and honored by the people with the greatest devotion.—At Rome, on Mount Aventine, the birthday of St. Sabina, martyr. Under the emperor Adrian, she was struck with the sword, and thus obtained the palm of martyrdom.—Also, at Rome, St. Candida, virgin and martyr, whose body was transferred to the church of St. Praxedes by pope Paschal I.—At Antioch, in Syria, the birthday of the holy martyrs Nicaeas and Paul.—At Constantinople, the holy martyrs Hypatius, an Asiatic bishop, and Andrew, a priest, who for the worship of holy images, under Leo the Isaurian, after having their beards besmirched with pitch and set on fire, and the skin of their heads torn off, were beheaded.—At Perugia, St. Euthymius, a Roman, who fled from the persecution of Diocletian with his wife and his son Crescentius, and there rested in the Lord.—At Metz, St. Adelphus, bishop and confessor.—At Paris the demise of St. Merry, priest.—In England, St. Sebbi, king.—At Smyrna, the birthday of St. Basilla. —In the vicinity of Troyes, St. Sabina, a virgin, celebrated for virtues and miracles.
And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors and holy virgins.
Thanks be to God.