Saints of 3 April

St Pancratius of Taormina

At Taormina, in Sicily, the bishop St. Pancratius, who sealed, with a martyr's blood, the gospel of Christ which the apostle St. Peter had sent him thither to preach.

Ss. Evagrius and Benignus

At Tomis, in Scythia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Evagrius and Benignus.

Ss. Agape and Chionia

At Thessalonica, the martyrdom of the holy virgins Agape and Chionia, under the emperor Diocletian. As they would not deny Christ, they were first detained in prison, then cast into the fire, but being untouched by the flames, they gave up their souls to their Creator whilst praying to Him.

St Vulpian of Tyre

At Tyre, the martyr St. Vulpian, who was sewed up in a sack with a serpent and a dog, and drowned in the sea, during the persecution of Maximian Galerius.

St Nicetas of Medicion

In the monastery of Medicion, in the East, the abbot St. Nicetas, who suffered much for the worship of holy images, in the time of Leo the Armenian.

St Richard, bishop (England)

In England, St. Richard, bishop of Chichester, celebrated for holiness and glorious miracles.

St Burgundofora, abbess

In the same country, St. Burgundofora, abbess and virgin.

St Benedict of Palermo

At Palermo, St. Benedict, of St. Philadelphus, confessor, surnamed the Black, on account of his color. He was of the Order of Minorites, and rested in the Lord on the third of April, with a reputation for miracles. The Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VII., placed him in the number of the Saints.