From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
February 17th - SS. Theodulus And Julian, Martyrs
d. 309
ST. THEODULUS and St. Julian suffered at C=C3=A6sarea in Palestine
immediately after the five Egyptians commemorated on the 16th, but
they are mentioned under this date in the Roman Martyrology.
Theodulus, a wise and pious old man, occupied one of the most
honourable positions in the household of Firmilian, the governor of
Palestine, who held him in great esteem. After witnessing the
fortitude and patience of the five saints, he visited the prison and
held the martyrs up as examples to encourage the other confessors and
to prepare them for a similar ordeal. Firmilian was so furious at this
action on the part of his old servant that he sent for him, reproached
him sternly for his ingratitude and, without hearing his defence,
condemned him to be crucified. Theodulus received the sentence gladly,
and went joyfully to a form of death which so closely resembled that
of his Saviour and by means of which he would speedily be united with
Him.
<>Julian, who shared his triumph, was only a catechumen, held in great
honour by the faithful on account of his exemplary character. He had
been absent from C=C3=A6sarea and had scarcely arrived back when he was informed of the sufferings and of the execution of the martyrs which
had just been taking place. At once he ran to the spot, and finding
that all was over he expressed his veneration by kissing and embracing
the bodies of the saints. The guards apprehended him and took him to
the governor, who, perceiving that he was as determined as the rest,
wasted no time in useless cross-examination but immediately ordered
him to be burnt. Julian thanked God for the honour, and asked Him to
accept his life as a voluntary sacrifice. His cheerfulness whilst he
was being tortured by slow fire amazed his executioners and the
spectators.
As in the case of SS. Elias and his companions, so our knowledge of
SS. Theodulus and Julian depends entirely upon Eusebius. This story is
one of overwhelming interest for all who are concerned with Christian hagiography, for it is the account given by Eusebius, the father of
Church history, who was not only living in C=C3=A6sarea at the time, but
was the intimate friend of the St. Pamphilus here named, the principal
martyr who suffered on the same occasion. To mark his devotion to his
friend, the historian loved to call himself =E2=80=9CEusebius (the disciple=
)
of Pamphilus=E2=80=9D. St. Pamphilus, however, is commemorated separately o=
n
June 1, and will come before us again on that date.
The Greek text of Eusebius, with a French translation en face, may
conveniently be consulted in the edition of E. Grapin (vol. iii, pp.
259-283), forming part of the series of Textes et documents pour
l'=C3=A9tude historique die Christianisme. It forms the 11th chapte=
r of the
Book on the Martyrs of Palestine, of which there is an English
version, with the Ecclesiastical History, by H. J. Lawlor and J. E. L.
Oulton (1929).
Saint Quote:
Consider seriously how quickly people change, and how little trust is
to be had in them; and hold fast to God, who does not change.
--St. Teresa of Avila
Bible Quote:
And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. And
my speech and my preaching was not in the persuasive words of human
wisdom. but in shewing of the Spirit and power: That your faith might
not stand on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. [1Co 2:3-5]
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A Prayer for a Pure Heart and Heavenly Wisdom
Strengthen me, O Lord God, by the grace of Your Holy Spirit.(Ps.
51:12) Grant me inward power and strength (Eph.3:16) and empty my
heart of all profitless anxiety and care.(Matt. 5:34) Let me never be
drawn away from You by desire for anything else, whether noble or
base, but help me to realize that all things are passing, and myself
with them. Nothing in this world is lasting, and everything in this
life is uncertain, troubling to the spirit (Eccles. 1:14; 2:11) How
wise is the man who knows these truths! Grant me heavenly wisdom, O
Lord, that above all else I may learn to search for and discover You;
to know and love You; and to see all things as they really are and as
You in Thy wisdom have ordered them. May I prudently avoid those who
flatter me, and deal patiently with those who oppose me. True wisdom
cannot be swayed by every wordy argument, (Eph. 4:14) and pays no
regard to the cunning flatteries of evil men. Only thus shall we go
forward steadily on the road on which we have set out.
--Thomas =C3 Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3, Ch 27
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