Today, 28 April, is the feast of ...
Vitalis and Valeria, martyrs (second century)
Pollio, martyr (304)
Theodora and Didymus, martyrs (304): Theodora was a beautiful maiden of
Alexandria who refused to sacrifice to the gods. She was sentenced to
spend her days in a house of ill-fame. She was rescued from the brothel
by Didymus, who changed clothes with her; but on reaching a place
of safety Theodora fell dead from shock. Didymus was soon found and was
put to death.
Cronan of Roscrea, abbot (626)
Pamphilus, bishop of Sulmona (700): During the last quarter of the
seventh century there was living in the Abruzzi a bishop called
Pamphilus, who ruled over the united dioceses of Sulmona and Corfinium.
He was a very holy man, a zealous teacher, austere in his life and
generous to the poor, but he aroused hostility by introducing 'certain
innovations'. On Sunday mornings he would rise shortly after midnight
and, after the solemn singing of the night offices, he would proceed at
once to celebrate Mass. Then he would distribute alms, and at daybreak
would provide for the poor a meal which he shared with his guests. Some
of his clergy and people objected strongly to this hour for offering
Mass. They actually went so far as to denounce him as Arian to the pope.
The pope summoned him and so completely did Pamphilus succeed in
vindicating his orthodoxy that the pontiff sent him home with a liberal
donation for his poor.
Cyril, bishop of Turov (1182)
Luchesio (1260): First Franciscan tertiary.
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Dr Carolyn Muessig
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
University of Bristol
Bristol BS8 1TB
UK
phone: +44(0)117-928-8168
fax: +44(0)117-929-7850
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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