ST POLYCHRONIUS, BISHOP OF BABYLON, MARTYR

ST POLYCHRONIUS, BISHOP OF BABYLON, MARTYR - 17 FEBRUARY

SAINT POLYCHRONIUS, BISHOP OF BABYLON, MARTYR

Saint Polychronius, bishop and martyr appears under very different names in the martyrologies. Besides the name Polychronius there are also: Polochronius, Polocronius and Pologronius.

DECIUS CONQUERED PERSIA

He was bishop of Babylon. The story of his torture is distorted by later additions. The following has been established beyond doubt: When the emperor Decius (in power since 249) defeated the Persians, he occupied many cities and killed many Christians.

"BEFORE DEMONS... WE DO NOT BOW OUR HEADS"

In the city of Babylon he met the bishop Polychronius with the priests Parmenius, Elymas, Chrysotelus (Chysotelus) and the deacons Lucas and Mucius. He had them captured and ordered them to sacrifice to the gods. The holy bishop Polychronius said: "We offer ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ; but before demons, these images made by human hands, we do not bow our heads."

HE DID NOT SAY A WORD

The bishop was then put in prison with his clergy. In the interrogation that followed, the saint did not speak a word, which is why he was hit repeatedly on the mouth with stones, with great force and for a long period of time - until he gave up the ghost with his hands and eyes raised to heaven. His martyrdom occurred in A.D. 251.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875, pp. 957-58)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Polychronius may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

FROM THE ROMAN MARTYROLOGY

Here the corresponding entry in the Roman Martyrology on this day:

"In Persia, during the persecution of Decius, the birthday of blessed Polychronius, bishop of Babylon, who, being struck in the mouth with stones, stretched out his hands, lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and expired."

WELCOME

Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ...

FATIMA APPARITION - 13 AUGUST

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST Saints celebrated on the 13th of August Marian Feast Days WELCOME! FATIMA APPARITION - AUGUST 13 The Fatima Children “BUT IN THE END MY IMMACULATE HEART WILL TRIUMPH.” But in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me; it will be converted, and a certain period of peace will be granted to the world. THE AUGUST 13 EVENTS On August 13, the children were in jail at Ourem. The civil administrator threatened to boil them in oil if they did not tell the Lady’s secret. Though badly frightened, they could not think of disobeying our Lady. In disgust, the administrator finally freed them. A large number of people, not knowing that the children had been kidnapped, went to the Cova for the scheduled appearance of the Lady. At noon, there was a loud clap of thunder. Then, according to an eyewitness: “Right after the thunder came a flash, and immediately we all noticed a little cloud, very white, beautiful and bright,...

ST JOHN BERCHMANS, RELIGIOUS - 13 AUGUST

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST Saints celebrated on the 13th of August WELCOME! SAINT JOHN BERCHMANS, RELIGIOUS (Patron Saint of Altar Servers.) The eldest boy of a poor cordwainer, in a small Belgian town, John was ever a dutiful, prayerful, and studious child. Our Lord called him when but young to leave his father and his father’s house, to serve Him in the Society of Jesus. And because he was so good a son, it cost his father much to give him up to God; but he was too good a Christian to refuse outright. HE WAS SENT TO ROME John had hardly taken his religious vows when he was sent to the centre of Christendom, the holy city of Rome. His modesty, his purity, shone out as great virtue always does; and the young laymen who attended the lectures would come to gaze upon his beautiful and holy face, and go away the better for the sight. GREAT VIRTUE Three short years, and his last sickness found him sighing for heaven, and three days before the great feast of Mar...

SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

Search This Blog