Saints of 18 April

St Apollonius of Rome

At Rome, St. Apollonius, a senator under the empe ror Commodus and the prefect Perennius. Having been denounced as a Christian by one of his slaves, and being commanded to give an account of his faith, he composed an able work which he read in the Senate. He was nevertheless decapitated for Christ by the sentence of that body.

Ss. Eleutherius, bishop, and Anthia, his mother, martyrs (Messina)

At Messina, the birthday of the holy martyrs, Eleutherius, bishop of Illyricum, and Anthia, his mother. Illustrious by his holiness of life and his power of working miracles, he was, in the reign of Adrian, laid on a bed of red-hot iron, on a gridiron, in a pan filled with boiling oil, pitch and rosin; he was cast to the lions, but, remaining unhurt, he finally had his throat pierced with a sword. His mother suffered a similar punishment.

St Corebus

In the same place, St. Corebus, prefect, who was converted to the faith by St. Eleutherius, and died by the sword.

St Calocerus of Brescia

At Brescia, St. Calocerus, a martyr, who was converted to Christ by Saints Faustinus and Jovita, and under the same Adrian terminated his glorious combat for the confession of the faith.

St Perfect of Córdoba

At Cordova, St. Perfect, priest and martyr, killed by the Moors for inveighing against the followers of Mahomet.

St Galdinus of Milan

At Milan, St. Galdini, cardinal and bishop of that city, who, at the conclusion of a discourse against heretics, gave up his soul to God.

St Amideus of Tuscany

In Tuscany, on Mount Senario, blessed Amideus, one of the seven Founders of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary, very celebrated for an ardent love of God.