[March 27.]
Memorial of the Resurrection.[91]
SS. Philetus, Lydia, and Companions, MM. in Illyria, 2nd cent.
S. Augusta, V.M. at Serravalle in Venetia.
S. Alexander, M. at Drizipara, in Pannonia.
SS. Zanitas, Lazarus, and Companions, MM. in Persia, A.D. 326.
S. John, H. at Lycopolis, in Egypt, A.D. 393.
S. Rupert, B. of Salzburg, A.D. 718.
S. Matthew of Beauvais, M. in France, 11th cent.
S. William Tempier, B. of Poitiers, A.D. 1197.
SS. PHILETUS, LYDIA, AND COMPANIONS, MM.
(2ND CENT.)
[Greek Menæa and Menologium, and modern Roman Martyrology. The following account from the Greek Menology, it is almost needless to say, is fabulous.]
Saint Philetus, a senator, his wife, Lydia, their sons, Macedo and Theoprepius, also Amphilochius, a general, and Chronides, a registrar, who suffered under Hadrian, are venerated by Greeks and Latins on this day. According to the account in the Menology, Philetus, his wife and sons, and Chronides, were handed over to Amphilochius, the general, to be by him tortured. Amphilochius ordered them to be cast into a vessel of boiling oil, but as the bubbling fluid suddenly became cold, when the martyrs were about to be plunged into it, full of astonishment, he exclaimed, "God of the Christians, help me!" Then there came a voice from heaven, "Thy prayer is heard, come up hither." Now when this was noised in the ears of the emperor, he came down, full of wrath, and ordered a cauldron of oil to be boiled for seven days, and all to be cast thereinto. But they were unhurt. Then the emperor left them, and they, praying, and giving thanks to God, gave up the ghost.