ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL
Saints celebrated on the 18th of April
SAINT PERFECTUS, PRIEST AND MARTYR OF CORDOBA
This holy Martyr died in Cordoba (Cordova) in 850 for the offence of confessing our Lord Jesus Christ. Although the fanatical hatred of the Saracens against the Christians was not nearly as violent in Spain as in the Orient and Africa, they still experienced a myriad of oppressions and vexations. They were also forced to learn and speak the Arabic language. Blasphemy against Mahommed and the Koran was punishable by death, and it was no big deal for the oppressors to target the Catholic priests - as they merely carried out their duties - and to execute them. This lot was also shared by the priest Perfectus (Perfecto) under the Khalif Abderrahman II (reigned from 812 to 852). Following his martyrdom, some Christians buried Perfectus' body in the Church of St Asciclus. His name is inserted in the Roman Martyrology* on April 18. His veneration has also spread widely in France. Bishop Eulogius provides us with an account of this holy priest's life and suffering.
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875, p. 766)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Perfectus 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
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