Saints of 22 December

Thirty holy martyrs (Rome)

At Rome, between the two bay -trees on the Lavican road, the birthday of thirty holy martyrs, who were ajl on one day crownd with martyrdom, in the persecution of Diocletian.

St Flavian, former prefect

In the same city, St. Flavian, ex-prefect, who, under Julian the Apostate, was condemned to be branded for Christ, and banished to Aquae Taurinae, where he gave up his soul to God in prayer.

Ss. Demetrius, Honoratus and Florus

At Ostia, the holy martyrs Demetrius, Honoratus and Florus.

St Ischyrion of Alexandria

At Alexandria, the holy martyr Ischyrion. Because he dispised all the cruelties they made him suffer to force him to sacrifice to idols, they transpierced his bowels with a sharp-pointed stake, and thus put him to death.

St Chaeremon of Egypt

In Egypt, the Saint Chseremon, bishop of Mlopolis, and many other martyrs. Some of them fled whilst the persecution of Decius was raging, and wandering in different directions through deserts, were killed by wild beasts; others perished by famine, cold and sickness; others again were murdered by barbarians and robbers, and thus all were crowned with a glorious martyrdom.

St Zeno of Nicomedia, soldier

At Nicomedia, St. Zeno, soldier, who derided Diocletian for sacrificing to Ceres, wherefore he had his jawbones fractured, his teeth plucked out and his head struck off.