Wednesday, 20 March 2024

20 MARCH – FERIA OF LENT

On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:

In Judaea, St. Joachim, father of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, whose festival is kept on the sixteenth of August.

In Asia, the birthday of St. Archippus, fellow-labourer of the blessed Apostle St. Paul, who mentions him in his Epistles to Philemon and the Colossians.

In Syria, the holy martyrs Paul, Cyril, Eugenius and four others.

The same day, the Saints Photina, a Samaritan, and her sons Joseph and Victor. Also Sebastian, military officer, Anatolius, and Photius. Photides, Parasceves and Cyriaca, sisters, were all martyred for confessing Christ.

At Amisus in Paphlagonia, seven holy women, Alexandra, Claudia, Euphrasia, Matrona, Juliana, Euphemia and Theodosia, who were put to death for the confession of the faith. They were followed by Derphuta and her sister.

At Apollonia, the bishop St. Maetas, who breathed his last in exile where he had been sent for upholding the worship of holy images.

In the monastery of Fontanelle, St. Wulfran, bishop of Sens, who after having resigned his bishopric and performed miracles, departed out of this life.

In England, the demise of St. Cuthbert, bishop of Lindisfarne, who from his childhood to his death was renowned for good works and miracles.

At Siena in Tuscany, blessed Ambrose of the Order of Preachers, celebrated for sanctity, eloquence and miracles.

And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.

Thanks be to God.