On this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Rome, the birthday of forty-seven holy martyrs who were baptised by the blessed Apostle St. Peter while he was kept in the Mamertine Prison with his fellow blessed Apostle St. Paul. After a detention of nine months they all fell by the sword of Nero, after most generously confessing the faith.
Also at Rome, St. Leo, bishop and martyr.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Peter and Aphrodisius, who obtained the crown of martyrdom in the persecution of the Vandals.
At Carrhae in Mesopotamia, the patrician St. Eutychius and his companions, who were killed by Evelid, king of Arabia, for the confession of the faith.
In the province of Valeria, two saintly monks, who were hanged on a tree by the Lombards, and though dead, were heard singing psalms even by their enemies. In the same persecution, a deacon of the church of Marsico was beheaded for the confession of the faith.
At Halberstadt in Germany, the demise of the blessed queen Matilda, mother of the emperor Otho I, celebrated for her humility and patience.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
