Saints of 21 April

St Anselm, bishop (Canterbury)

At Canterbury, in England, St. Anselm, bishop and Doctor of the Church, who was renowned for sanctity and learning.

St Simeon of Persia

In Persia, the birthday of St. Simeon, bishop of Seleucia and Ctesiphon. He was arrested by order of Sapor, king of Persia, loaded with irons, and presented to the iniquitous tribunals. As he refused to adore the sun, and openly and courageously bore testimony to Jesus Christ, he was confined a long time in a dungeon with one hundred other confessors, among whom were bishops, priests, and clerics of various ranks. Afterwards Usthazanes, the king's foster-father, who had been converted from apostasy by Simeon, endured martyrdom with great constancy. The day after, which was the anniversary of our Lord's Passion, the companions of Simeon whom he had feelingly exhorted, were beheaded before his eyes, after which he met the same fate. With him suffered also several distinguished men: Abdechalas and Ananias, his priests, with Pusicius, the chief of the royal artificers. This last having encouraged Ananias, who seemed to falter, died a cruel death, having his tongue drawn out through a perforation made in his neck. After him, his daughter, who was a consecrated virgin, was put to death.

Ss. Arator, Fortunatus, Felix, Silvius and Vitalis (Alexandria)

At Alexandria, the holy martyrs Arator, priest, Fortunatus, Felix, Silvius, and Vitalis, who died in prison.

Ss. Apollo, Isacius, and Crotates

Also, the Saints Apollo, Isacius, and Crotates, who suffered under Diocletian.

St Anastasius Sinaita

At Antioch, St. Anastasius Sinaita, bishop.