Saints of 20 August

St Bernard, first abbot (Langres)

In the territory of Langres, the demise of St. Bernard, first abbot of Clairvaux, illustrious for virtues, learning, and miracles. He was declared Doctor of the universal church by the Sovereign Pontiff, Pius VIII.

St Samuel of Judea

In Judea, the holy prophet Samuel, whose sacred relics (as is related by St. Jerome), were taken to Constantinople by the emperor Arcadius, and deposited near Septimus.

St Lucius of Cyprus

The same day, St. Lucius, senator, who was converted to the faith, on seeing the constancy of Theodore, bishop of Gyrene, during his martyrdom. He also converted the governor Dignian, with whom he set out for Cyprus, where, seeing other Christians crowned for the confession of the Lord, he offered himself voluntarily, and merited the same crown of martyrdom, by having his head struck off.

Thirty-seven holy martyrs (Thrace)

In Thrace, in the time of the governor Apellian, thirtyseven holy martyrs, who had their hands and feet cut off for the faith of Christ, and were cast into a burning furnace.

Ss. Severus and Memnon

Also, the holy martyrs Severus, and the centurion Memnon, who, suffering the same kind of death, went victoriously to heaven.

Ss. Leovigildus and Christopher

At Cordova, during the persecution of the Arabs, the holy martyrs Leovigildus and Christopher, monks, who were thrust into prison for the defence of the Christian faith, and soon after, by being beheaded and cast into the fire, obtained the palm of martyrdom.

St Porphyry of Rome

At Rome, blessed Porphyry, a man of God, who instructed the holy martyr Agapitus in the faith and doctrine of Christ.

St Philibert, abbot

In the island of Noirmoutiers, St. Philibert, abbot.

St Maximus of Chinon

At Chinon, St. Maxinms, confessor, disciple of the blessed bishop Martin.

St Manetius, confessor

On Mount Senario, in the diocese of Florence, blessed Manetius, confessor, one of the seven founders of the Order of the Servites of the Blessed Virgin Mary, wrho breathed his last whilst reciting hymns in her honor.