Today, 19 October, is the feast of ...
Ptolomeus, Lucius and another person, martyrs (161): Ptolomaeus was
turned in to the authorities by the husband of someone he was
initiating into the faith; he was tried and condemned, at which time
two others stood up and declared he should not be killed; they also
were summarily condemned, and all three were martyred.
Varus, martyr, and Cleopatra, widow (fourth century?): After the death
of Varus, Cleopatra took his bones to a church she founded; that night
her son died, and she reviled Varus, whom before she had honoured so
greatly. In her sleep, she saw Varus and her son, with Varus promising
that he was taking care of her son, and that all would be well; she
awoke, and lived the rest of her life in penitence.
Ethbin (sixth century): As a child, was entrusted to the care of St
Samson, and then St Winwaloe in Brittany; under the latter, and then as
an adult in Ireland, he performed many miracles (but his name does not
appear in Irish calendars).
Aquilinus, bishop of Evreux (695): After years of living in courts and
camps, he met his wife, and the two devoted their lives to serving God
and the poor; but, when St Aeternus died, Aquilinus was considered the
best candidate for the vacant episcopate, which he accepted only when
having thought of arranging for a hermitage to be built next to the
cathedral.
Frideswide, virgin (735): Patron of Oxford; probably founded a monastery
in the area, which was refounded by Augustinian canons regular in the
twelfth century.
Thomas of Biville, confessor (1257): After extensive travelling and
studies, became a priest in native Normandy and northern France. His
relics were so beloved that local people saved them from the ravages of
the Revolution.
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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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