26 December
AT Jerusalem, the birthday of St. Stephen, the first martyr, who was stoned to death by the Jews shortly after the Ascension of our Lord.—At Rome, St. Marinus, senator. In the time of the emperor Numerian and the prefect Marcian, he was arrested for the Christian religion, racked and torn with iron hooks like a slave, then thrown into a burning pan; but being delivered because the fire became like dew, he was exposed to the beasts without being injured by them, and finally being led again to the altar, the idols of which toppled over at his prayer, he was struck with the sword, and thus obtained the triumph of martyrs.—Also, at Rome, on the Appian road, the decease of pope St. Denis, who sustained many labors for the Church, and was renowned for his doctrinal writings.—In the same city, St. Zosimus, pope and confessor.—In Mesopotamia, St. Archelaus, a bishop celebrated for learning and sanctity.—At Majuma, St. Zeno, bishop.—At Rome, St. Theodore, sacristan of St. Peter's church, who is mentioned by the blessed pope Gregory.
And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors and holy virgins.
Thanks be to God.