SAINT CONON OF BIDA, MARTYR - 5 MARCH

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH

Saints celebrated on the 5th of March

SAINT CONON OF BIDA, MARTYR

Saint Conon is styled a martyr at Bida in Isauria. A native of that city, he lived in the days of the apostles. It is said of him that he had such power over the devils that he could do with them what he liked. He therefore not only compelled them to confess the true God, but also ordered them to till the field, and to take care of the fruit. Some of them he even shut up in bowls which he sealed securely so that they could not escape, and laid them under the foundation of a house which he was building. 

After Conon's death, some citizens were planning to transform his house, and in ripping open the foundations the bowls were found. Because they were sealed, some builders reckoned that they contained gold; only when the seals were opened did flames erupt and the building collapsed. 

Having been called before the governor Magnus because of his zealous confession of the Christian faith, Conon remained steadfast and was therefore beaten with rods. But when the people demanded his release, he was set free and died of natural causes two years later.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858, p. 656)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Conon 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.