The Lives of the Saints, Volume III (of 16): March

Sabine Baring-Gould

S.В Baring-Gould

The Lives of the Saints, Volume III (of 16): March

March 1

S.В Hesychius, B.M. at Carteja, in Spain, 1st cent.

S. Eudocia, M. at Heliopolis, in PhЕ“nicia, 2nd cent.

S. Antonina, M. at Nicæa, 4th cent.

S. Domnina, V.H. in Syria, circ. A.D. 460.

S. Simplicius, Abp. of Bourges, circ. A.D. 480.

S. David, Abp. of Menevia, in Wales, A.D. 544.

S. Herculanius, B.M. at Perugia, A.D. 547.

S. Albinus, B. of Angers, circ. A.D. 549.

S. Marnon, B. in Scotland.

S. Siward, Ab. of S. Calais, in France, A.D. 687.

S. Swibert, B. Ap. of the Frisians, A.D. 713.

S. Monan, Archd. of S. Andrews, in Scotland, circ. A.D. 874.

S. Leo, M. Abp. of Rouen and Ap. of Bayonne, circ. A.D. 900.

S. Leo Luke, Ab. of Muletta, in Calabria, circ. A.D. 900.

S. Rudesind, B. of Dumium, in Portugal, A.D. 977.

B. Roger, Abp. of Bourges, A.D. 1368.

B. Bonavita, C. Blacksmith of Lugo, in Italy, A.D. 1375.

S. HESYCHIUS, B.M

(1ST CENT.)

[Spanish Martyrologies. Not in the Roman.]

Hesychius is traditionally said to have been one of seven apostles sent by S. Peter into Spain. He is supposed to have preached in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar, and to have made Carteja, or Carcesia, the modern Algeziras, his head-quarters. Nothing authentic is known of this mission, or of his labours and martyrdom.

S. EUDOCIA, M

(2ND[1 - In the reign of Trajan, says the Life, but this is very questionable. Monastic life was not developed then to the extent shown in this story.] CENT.)

[Greek Menæa, and Roman Martyrology. This saint does not occur in any of the ancient Latin Martyrologies. Her name was inserted in the Roman Martyrology by Baronius. She is called Eudoxia or Eudocia. Authority: – An ancient Greek Life which, however, from its using the word homo-ousios, and calling the Prætor, Count, proves to be later than the times of Constantine. The story has a foundation of fact, no doubt; but a large amount of addition to it has been made of fabulous matter, to convert it into a religious romance.]

There was a Samaritan woman named Eudocia, of great beauty, who lived as a harlot, in the city of Heliopolis, in PhЕ“nicia. She had amassed much wealth by her shameful mode of life, and she thought only of how she might gratify the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. But the word of God is like a hammer that breaketh the rocks in pieces.

There was a monk, named Germanus, passing through the city, and he lodged with an acquaintance next door to the house of Eudocia. And in the middle of the night he arose, as was his wont, and sang his Psalms, and, opening a book began, by the light of his lamp, to read a spiritual lecture with a loud voice. And this happened to be its subject, – the coming of Jesus Christ on the clouds of heaven to judge all men according to their works, when they that have done well shall enter into life, and they that have done evil shall be cast into eternal fire. Now, it fell out that there was only a lath and plaster wall between the room where the monk was and that in which Eudocia lay. And when he began to sing she awoke, wondering, and listened, annoyed at first at the disturbance, but afterwards interested and alarmed. Then, when she heard him read the sentence of God on sinners, she was filled with remorse for the past, present shame, and fear for the future. And when morning dawned, she sent for the monk, and she asked him if that was true which he had read during the night. He answered that it was so. Then looking round, and wondering at the costly furniture and luxuries that abounded, he said simply, "What a rich man thy husband must be!" Then she reddened with shame, and said, in a low voice, "I have many lovers, but no husband." "Oh, my daughter," cried Germanus, "Would'st thou rather be poor now, and live in joy and glory hereafter, or be wealthy now and perish miserably in everlasting death?" Then Eudocia said, "How hard thy God must be to hate riches." "God forbid," exclaimed the monk, "it is not riches that H