Martian was a native of Cæsarea in Palestine. At the age of eighteen he retired to a mountain near that city, where he lived for twenty-five years among many holy solitaries in the practice of all virtues. A courtesan of Cæsarea, called Zoe, having heard of his sanctity, moved by an evil spirit, resolved to endeavour to lead him into sin. One stormy night she presented herself at his door, and cried to be admitted. "Have pity on me!" she pleaded, "I fear the wild beasts, I have lost my way!" Then he admitted her, and when she used all her efforts to fascinate him, and he felt his heart rebel against the law of God, by a sudden act of resolution, he thrust his legs into the fire, crying, "O Martian! how feels this fire to thee now? Yet it is not comparable to that which the devil kindles to consume the sinner."
The woman, horror-struck at his proceeding, was filled with shame at her wicked purpose and manner of life. She burst into tears, and entreated the holy man to give her a rule whereby she might conform her life to the will of God. Then he sent her to S. Paula,[41] who governed a convent at Bethlehem, who received her; and Zoe became a model of penitence, eating only once a day, and sometimes spending two days without food; sleeping on the bare ground, and ever bewailing with many tears her former wicked life.
Martian, after his legs were healed, resolved to escape to some place where he could not be tempted so readily. He therefore found a rock at some little distance from the shore, in the sea, and in that was a cave. Martian spent six years in this solitude, deprived of all human consolations, but full of joy in being separated from all creatures who might draw his heart from God. After the lapse of six years, one stormy day a vessel was wrecked near his islet, and a girl, who was one of the passengers, managed to save herself upon the rock of Martian. The hermit was placed in a sore predicament; he had no wish for the society of a young damsel in his place of retreat, and yet he had no power to drive her from her refuge. He therefore said to her, "My daughter, we must not both live here together. In two months a ship will touch on this island to bring me what is needful for my support. Till then there is bread and water in my cave. Take it, and live here; when the ship arrives, tell the captain how you came here, and he will take you on board and convey you to the main land." Then he flung himself into the sea and swam ashore. For two years he wandered without finding a home, but at last died at Athens. The girl left on the island, had, in the meantime, become attached to the solitary life, and when the boat arrived, she besought the ship-master to give her a warm dress, some wool to spin, and bread and water. The captain readily promised to do as she required, and returned shortly after with his wife, bringing her all she needed; and from that day he came to the island every three months, bringing her what she needed, during the six years she lived there.
S. MODOMNOC, C.
(6TH CENT.)
[Irish Martyrologies. Sometimes called S. Domnoc.]
This saint, who is greatly reverenced in Ossory, was a pupil of S. David in Wales, but a native of Ireland, a member of the princely house of the Nialls, son of Saran, and fourth in descent from Eugene, one of the sons of Neill Neigilliach. After having spent some time in Wales in the little monastery cultivating flowers and vegetables and bees, he returned to his native island. And as he mounted the ship, his bees swarmed, and settled on the boat. So Modomnoc took the swarm with him to the Emerald Isle. After his return home he served God at Tiprat Fachtua, in the west of Ossory, near the Suir, now Tibrach, in Kilkenny.
S. LICINIUS, B. C.
(ABOUT A.D. 617.)
[Roman Martyrology. Usuardus, Gallican Martyrologies, &c. Authorities:—Two ancient lives, one by an anonymous author, the other by Marbod, archdeacon of Angers, and afterwards Bishop of Rennes.]
This saint was born about the year 540, and at the age of twenty was sent to the court of King Clothaire I., whose cousin he was. He was made Count of Anjou by King Chilperic, and was about to be married in 578, when, on the wedding morning, the bride was struck with leprosy. This incident so affected Licinius, that he renounced the world; and in the year 600, was elected bishop of Angers, where he set an example of great piety and zeal. He is called in French Lessin.